News | Campus - The Independent Florida Alligator

NEWS | CAMPUS

Battle looms for faculty tenure review across Florida

By Christian Casale | Dec. 5, 2022

The United Faculty of Florida union, which represents 25,000 faculty members and 8,000 graduate students across the state’s 12 public institutions, has signaled the regulation — called 10.003 — in its current form would be a blow to academic freedom and faculty job security. The Board of Governors, on the other hand, say it’s a way to ensure the best educators are tenured and to reward faculty who deserve recognition.

NEWS | CAMPUS

International students weigh in on US gun culture

By Christian Casale | Dec. 5, 2022

School shootings have become increasingly common in the U.S. over the last two decades, leaving many students to adapt to stricter safety measures in the classroom. However, the cycle of violence isn’t something many international students relate to back home.

NEWS | SFC

Age no barrier to academic success for these Santa Fe College students

By Claire Grunewald | Dec. 5, 2022

SFC welcomes students of all ages. Students older than 25 made up more than 20% of SFC’s Fall 2021 enrollment. This amount has remained consistent throughout the years at the college, according to the Santa Fe factbook. Nonetheless, older students have thrived in SFC’s diverse environment.

NEWS | CAMPUS

How UF compares to national trends of declining social interactions

By Peyton Harris | Dec. 5, 2022

Last year, 12% of Americans said they had no close friends, a significant increase from 3% in 1990, according to a 2022 American Perspectives survey. Factors like the pandemic and online social media networking are possible factors for the decline in friendship, as well as a lack of walkable areas to form human connections.

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

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF law students build back student life after pandemic

By Siena Duncan | Dec. 5, 2022

For the tens of thousands of dollars some pay to attend the UFs College of Law, the student experience was an integral part of getting the most out of their education — three years ago. Student life took a massive hit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Spice Drive diversifies Field and Fork Pantry’s supply

By Alissa Gary | Dec. 1, 2022

With the help of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Leadership Institute, the pantry received more than 1,000 containers of spices.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Senate stalls online voting amendment, passes Club Q shooting resolution

By Alissa Gary | Nov. 30, 2022

The major bill in question would allow students to vote on whether they’d prefer an remote online voting option as well as in-person ones for future Student Government elections. If passed by Senate, the amendment would be put on the Spring 2023 SG ballot, where students would vote on whether to allow remote voting for the following election.

House Bill 7, dubbed the “Stop WOKE Act” by Gov. Ron Desantis, went into effect July 1, 2022.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Stop W.O.K.E Act temporarily blocked: UF’s perspective moving forward

By Peyton Harris | Nov. 21, 2022

The Stop W.O.K.E. Act was put in place in July. UF, the state’s flagship university, was the first to issue guidance to faculty, according to the United Faculty of Florida. It also has the most to lose financially from violations of the law because the university receives the most state funding.

A rendering of the research center, which will be a place for scientists and engineers to collaborate on creating artificial intelligence that will benefit different fields such as agriculture and plant pathology.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences to build AI manufacturing hub

By Anushka Dakshit | Nov. 21, 2022

In the next year, the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences plans to build a 19,000-square-foot AI hub at the Gulf Coast Research Center in Tampa. The hub will be used to manufacture AI technology with around a $23 million budget.

Student Body President Lauren Lemasters addresses student senators over pushes for her impeachment at the Senate meeting Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Change senators fail to reintroduce Lemasters impeachment resolution

By Alissa Gary | Nov. 16, 2022

The Change Caucus reintroduced the resolution to impeach Student Body President Lauren Lemasters to the Senate floor Nov. 15 despite its failure in the Judiciary Committee Sunday.

Student Body President Lauren Lemasters addresses the audience in the University Auditorium at the State of the Campus Address Monday, Nov. 14, 2022.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Student Government leadership addresses Sasse vote, funding for student organizations

By Alissa Gary | Nov. 15, 2022

Seven months into their terms, Student Government executive leaders gathered to brief the student body on the state of the campus Nov. 14. The address featured speeches from Student Body President Lauren Lemasters, Vice President Daniel Badell, Treasurer Sierra Kantamneni and other executive leadership.

Lauren Lemasters, UF student body president, listens to public comment at the Board of Trustees meeting discussing Ben Sasse’s candidacy on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Lauren Lemasters impeachment resolution dies in Judiciary Committee

By Alissa Gary | Nov. 14, 2022

The Judiciary Committee does not believe Lemasters conducted malfeasance — or violating a contractual obligation — by breaking the trust of other elected officials. Change caucus said it will continue to find ways to hold Lemasters accountable.

Maguire Village is a student housing facility located off of Radio Road.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF coalition bands together to save graduate housing complexes

By Siena Duncan | Nov. 14, 2022

There are now about 500 available on-campus student housing units for around 4,000 graduate students, GAU Co-President Bryn Taylor said. UF will remove 348 units in total.

The Alan J. Robertson Administration building at Santa Fe College is seen Friday, June 18, 2021.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College’s new charter school to bolster inclusivity with no entrance fees, requirements

By Claire Grunewald | Nov. 14, 2022

Santa Fe Academy of Science and Technology will be the first of its kind in Gainesville by having a curriculum offering college courses and industry certifications that comes with no costs or specific requirements from students.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Lemasters: Sasse vote was ‘my perspective’

By Alissa Gary | Nov. 10, 2022

Lemasters’ appearance follows the Change Caucus’ submission of a resolution to impeach her for voting in favor of Sen. Ben Sasse for UF president.

Construction on UF campus along Museum Road shutters bus routes and commutes across the university.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Part of Museum Road to fully open next week, UF said

By Peyton Harris | Nov. 10, 2022

The stretch was closed for nearly ten months as a part of UF’s Campus Master Plan, which includes renovating campus roads for increased accessibility and sustainability.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

UF, Santa Fe, Alachua County Public Schools cancel classes Thursday due to Tropical Storm Nicole

By Halima Attah | Nov. 8, 2022

UF, Santa Fe College and Alachua County Public Schools announced the closure of their Thursday campus’ operations. UF announced the university’s closure at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, in anticipation of Tropical Storm Nicole’s landfall as the reason for its Nov. 10 temporary closing.

Rabbi Berl Goldman and his son Boruch stand in front of attendees at the Solidarity and Unity Rally held at Chabad UF Jewish Student and Community Center Friday Nov. 4, 2022.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gainesville community unites against antisemitism through rally

By Claire Grunewald and Malori Malone | Nov. 5, 2022

The Lubavitch Chabad Jewish Student Center along with community leaders held a solidarity and unity rally Friday after an antisemitic message was projected in Jacksonville at the Florida-Georgia football game Oct. 29.

Eryn Brazlavsky gets her face painted by Haley Damon at the MASA Día de los Muertos celebration Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF Mexican-American Student Association hosts annual Día de los Muertos celebration

By Peyton Harris | Nov. 3, 2022

Día de los Muertos is a traditional Mexican holiday where relatives honor the spirits of deceased relatives. It’s believed that upon death, people travel to the Land of the Dead, or Chicunamictlán — from there, they embark on a seven-year journey to their final resting place. It marks efforts to help the deceased on their journey to that resting place and is celebrated during the first and second days of November.

Senate President Olivia Green (Gator-District A) speaks during the Senate meeting Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

UF Student Senate President, senators disagree with Lauren Lemasters on Sasse approval

By Alissa Gary | Nov. 1, 2022

During her report, Senate President Olivia Green (Gator-District A) said both she and the student body disagreed with Lemasters’ decision, and she was disappointed in Lemasters’ choice.