News | Campus - The Independent Florida Alligator

Newly appointed UF President Ben Sasse discusses a plan to open a new graduate campus in Jacksonville during a press conference held at Jacksonville City Hall Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

Sasse announces new Strategic Enrollment Management Taskforce

By Garrett Shanley | May 24, 2023

UF President Ben Sasse announced the formation of a Strategic Enrollment Management Taskforce in a press release Tuesday. The taskforce will assess a broad set of issues related to undergraduate enrollment, including academic programs, physical learning spaces, digital delivery and residential housing, according to the release.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Student Senate passes resolution condemning attacks on DEI, higher education

By Vivienne Serret | May 24, 2023

UF Student Government senators passed a resolution condemning the state bills attacking diversity, equity and inclusion, and higher education but failed to approve replacement senators during the four-hour-long meeting May 23.

The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine’s academic building, located at 1945 SW 16th Ave. on Sunday, July 18, 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF research study kills two dogs

By Garrett Shanley | May 23, 2023

A UF veterinary clinical trial resulted in the death of two dog subjects. UF vice president for research David Norton filed a report that revealed the details of the study. The study tested the effects of adeno-associated virus vectors on two groups of dogs with duchenne muscular dystrophy. The two groups received AAV vector injections on June 24 and Aug. 19, respectively.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF professor spearheads Asian American studies minor

By Vivienne Serret | May 23, 2023

Malini Johar Schueller grew up in Chandigarh, India, a city north of New Delhi, the country’s capital. She came from a well-educated family who encouraged her to make a career out of literature. Now at UF, she is a UF professor and the faculty adviser for Students for Justice in Palestine and Sparks Magazine, an Asian American student-run magazine.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Looking back at UF’s Asian American Pacific Islander history

By Garrett Shanley | May 22, 2023

“If I was a brand new student at UF [walking] down the halls of the Reitz Union or some other high traffic area, and I saw images of Asian American students on the walls from the 1900s, from the ‘30s, from the ‘40s … how would that then impact my own ability to connect to the institution?” Phillip Cheng said.

FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks after being sworn in to begin his second term during an inauguration ceremony outside the Old Capitol on Jan. 3, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF community condemns bill defunding DEI initiatives

By Nicole Beltran | May 22, 2023

Some UF students are condemning a state bill that limits Florida’s colleges and universities from spending money on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF Asian American Pacific Islander students connect with their cultures on campus

By Nicole Beltran | May 22, 2023

AAPI month serves as a reminder for the students looking to learn more about their heritages, students who haven't had the experience to learn from home.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

DeSantis signs bill to defund DEI initiatives at Florida universities

By Nicole Beltran | May 15, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law Monday that limits the state’s colleges and universities from spending money on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Sasse meets with LGBTQ+ Presidential Advisory Committee

By Garrett Shanley | May 15, 2023

In one of his first interactions with a campus group, UF President Ben Sasse discussed the LGBTQ community concerns at the university. Sasse's May 11 meeting with the UF LGBTQ+ Presidential Advisory Committee fulfilled his seven-month-old promise made during his first visit to UF campus, where he acknowledged the committee value and said he would meet with them.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Students, faculty defend UF 'Black Horror, White Terror' class despite backlash

By Vivienne Serret | May 15, 2023

Director Jordan Peele's box office hit film Get Out brought race relations to the forefront of American conversation in 2017. Now, a UF African American studies course uses the film to examine the context of Black horror and white terror.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Introducing President Sasse’s transition team

By Garrett Shanley | May 15, 2023

Sasse's transition team includes members of the presidential cabinet and staff, the UF Board of Trustees, members of Sasse's office in the U.S. Senate and ex-Midland University officials.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is seen on Monday, Nov. 29, 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF selects 'student success' senior director of academic advising

By Garrett Shanley | May 10, 2023

UF selected Nigel Richardson as the inaugural senior director of academic advising for its recently created UF Student Success department.

An empty space remains after Pollo Tropical closed in the Reitz Union on UF's campus Friday, April 28, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Reitz Union’s Pollo Tropical closes its doors

By Aidan Bush | May 5, 2023

Formerly serving citrus-marinated chicken to lines of students, an empty construction area is all that remains of Pollo Tropical since it closed on April 26. Pollo Tropical was the latest chain restaurant to close its doors in the Reitz Union food court, preceded by Papa John’s and Wendy’s.

UF president Ben Sasse speaks to doctoral candidates on Thursday, May 4, 2023. This is his first public speech on campus.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Sasse makes on-campus public appearance at doctoral commencement

By Claire Grunewald | May 4, 2023

UF President Ben Sasse recognized UF doctoral candidates for their achievements —- making the ceremony one of his first official public on-campus appearances since appointed.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

DeSantis backs $75 million UF Jacksonville graduate campus

By Claire Grunewald | May 3, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis backed UF’s Jacksonville graduate center at a press conference Tuesday. Along with verbal support from the governor, the state increased the proposed funding for the campus by $25 million.

Emily Chen, 8, holds up a sign protesting the proposed Interest of Foreign Countries Senate and House Bills at Southwest 13th Street and University Avenue on Saturday, April 29, 2023. Her mother, Liman Wei, said she wants her daughter to speak out against discrimation.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gainesville residents protest ‘countries of concern’ real estate bills

By Claire Grunewald | Apr. 30, 2023

About 70 Gainesville residents gathered at Southwest 13th Street and University Avenue to protest the proposed Interest of Foreign Countries Senate and House Bills.

Dr. Charlie Lane, senior vice president of UF, speaks to a crowd on Plaza of the Americas on Wednesday about UF’s sustainability achievements and goals. “What’s really important is that students who recycle, ride the bus or learn about composing will embrace these actions for the rest of their lives,” Lane said.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Sasse fires top UF official

By Claire Grunewald | Apr. 29, 2023

Chief Operating Officer Charlie Lane was fired by UF President Ben Sasse — his first major leadership change since taking office in February.

The UF Levin College of Law located at 309 Village Drive Friday, Nov, 4, 2022.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF announces Levin College of Law interim dean

By Claire Grunewald | Apr. 26, 2023

UF Provost Joe Glover announced that law professor Merritt McAlister will fill in the position of Levin College of Law interim dean in an administrative memo sent Wednesday afternoon. McAlister will begin in her role June 1. UF plans to conduct a national search to replace former dean Laura Rosenbury soon, according to the memo

Former National Football League tight end Rob Gronkowski speaks at UF's final ACCENT Speaker Bureau show of the Spring semester Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Gronk talks “Party” Reputation, College Experience

By Peyton Harris | Apr. 26, 2023

UF students filled the Stephen C. O'Connell Center Tuesday night for the ACCENT Speakers Bureau’s final show of the semester. Former National League Football tight end Rob Gronkowski spoke about his time in the NFL, his "party" reputation and his college experience.

UF religion professor Vasudha Narayanan takes photos during her research work in Cambodia.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF religion professor elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

By Sophia Bailly | Apr. 26, 2023

UF religion professor Vasudha Narayanan joins the ranks of Yo-Yo Ma, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. after she was elected into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The academy invited Narayanan to the Sept. 29 inauguration at the Academy’s headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts.