News | Campus - The Independent Florida Alligator

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

‘He won’t live a day in peace’: UF presidential finalist Ben Sasse cut off by protesters flooding Q&A

By Alligator Staff report | Oct. 10, 2022

After just ten minutes protesting outside, around 300 protestors moved up the staircase of Emerson Alumni Hall to the second floor. UF administrators and police stood stone-faced outside the ballroom, Emerson Hall echoing from the slams of dozens of fists on the solid wooden doors to the ballroom.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

Live updates: UF presidential finalist Ben Sasse addresses community in campus visit, protestors storm forum

By Makiya Seminera | Oct. 10, 2022

Sen. Ben Sasse made his first visit as UF's sole presidential finalist Monday. This story will provide live updates throughout Sasse's three forums with faculty, students and staff.

Students worry that Ben Sasse, a finalist for UF’s presidential spot, could bring controversial opinions about the LGBT community.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Ben Sasse’s anti-LGBTQ past recalls deep-rooted history of campus prejudice

By Alan Halaly | Oct. 10, 2022

The committee announced its recommendation of Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska, Oct. 6 to the outrage of many in the UF community. As members of the university community gear up for his first campus appearance as finalist Oct. 10, some worry his potential appointment could foreshadow a bleak future for UF’s inclusivity toward LGBTQ students and faculty.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

What Student Government election results mean for Student Senate’s future

By Alissa Gary | Oct. 8, 2022

Throughout its campaign, Change Party had its sights set on winning one-third of the Student Senate. During Monday’s Student Government elections, it finally met that goal — growing its minority caucus from eight senators to 31 and shrinking Gator Party’s supermajority control.

Flo Rida hypes up the crowd at Gator Growl at the Stephen O'Connell Center Friday, Oct 7, 2022.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Flo Rida, Fletcher ‘move, shake and drop’ at Gator Growl 2022

By Alissa Gary | Oct. 8, 2022

Gator Growl followed a morning of Homecoming festivities, including a festival held in Plaza of the Americas, the Gator Gallop race and the Homecoming parade.

Popcorn, power walkers and political figures — just some of the things you can expect at UF Homecoming.

After a slow, but steady return to in-person events in 2021 following Homecoming’s cancellation in 2020, the parade and other festivities are back in full force. Homecoming festivities initiated the morning of Oct. 7 with a festival, the Gator Gallop run and the annual Homecoming parade.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF celebrates 99th annual Homecoming celebration

By Siena Duncan and Alissa Gary | Oct. 8, 2022

After a slow, but steady return to in-person events in 2021 following Homecoming’s cancellation in 2020, the parade and other festivities are back in full force.

Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., speaks during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021 in Washington. (Drew Angerer/Photo via AP)

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF presidential hopeful Ben Sasse is coming to campus Monday. Here’s what you should know

By Makiya Seminera | Oct. 8, 2022

During Sasse’s visit, he’s scheduled to participate in open forums with the UF community. Outside Emerson Hall, student activists are planning to give their own feedback through organizing a protest against the Nebraska senator’s candidacy.

The Housing Coordinator for the Alachua County Labor Coalition Sheila Payne talking about Roe v. Wade at Plaza of the Americas.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF organizations participate in nationwide event for bodily autonomy awareness

By Siena Duncan | Oct. 7, 2022

The event was part of a national movement Thursday, where more than 60 high schools across 29 states participated in strikes and protests for reproductive justice.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF community weighs in ahead of UF presidential finalist Sen. Ben Sasse’s campus visit

By Christian Casale | Oct. 7, 2022

Search administrators have lauded Sasse’s experience in academic and public service, while student groups have blasted the senator for his political stances against gay marriage and abortion.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF breaks ground on new College of Design, Construction and Planning building

By Peyton Harris | Oct. 7, 2022

The UF College of Design, Construction and Planning hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 6 for the Bruno E. and Maritza F. Ramos Collaboratory.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Gator Growl replaces Olivia O’Brien with Fletcher

By Alissa Gary | Oct. 6, 2022

Fletcher will open the show hosted by former Gators quarterback Danny Wuerfell and headliner Flo Rida.

File image of Sen. Ben Sasse from The Associated Press.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

Republican U.S. Senator Ben Sasse is lone finalist in UF’s presidential search

By Christian Casale | Oct. 6, 2022

The UF presidential search committee, led by search committee chair and UF Trustee Rahul Patel, unanimously recommended the senator to be considered by the UF Board of Trustees as the next UF president.

Screenshot of the event poster on the Accent Speakers Bureau's Facebook page.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Barbara Corcoran to speak at UF Accent event

By Alissa Gary | Oct. 5, 2022

Accent Speakers Bureau, a Student Government agency tasked with bringing speakers to the university, announced the event Tuesday on Facebook. The event, which is free to UF students, will be held in the University Auditorium at 7 p.m.

Members of Change Party celebrate several district wins in the Senate at the Reitz Union, Monday, Oct. 3, 2022. Change Party won 27 seats and Gator Party won 22.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

‘Turning of the tide’: Change Party wins big in Student Government Fall election

By Alligator Staff report | Oct. 4, 2022

Though Change was five candidates short of a full slate, it won 27 seats in the Fall election, overcoming Gator’s 22-seat grab and reducing its Senate supermajority. Liberation Party didn’t claim any seats.

UF students grab their greens at Gator Corner Dining Center Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Students weigh in on Chartwells, UF’s new food service provider

By Halima Attah | Oct. 3, 2022

Almost halfway through the semester, students with meal plans have had the chance to taste their way through many of Chartwells’ food initiatives — leaving some happier than others.

Florida fans crowd the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium stands during the Gators game against the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. The announced attendance that evening was 89,993.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Record-breaking crowds for Gators football home games prompt stadium safety concerns

By Claire Grunewald | Oct. 3, 2022

Fans have packed the stadium every game to show support for the football team led by its new head coach, Billy Napier. The Swamp has been close to full all season, with an average attendance of 85,435 for the Gators’ first four home games. Despite assurance on safety precautions from the University Athletic Association and local law enforcement agencies, these crowded games are accompanied by a variety of safety concerns like fights breaking out among fans.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Florida Players UF theater club moves forward with season despite funding cut

By Emma Howard | Oct. 3, 2022

Florida Players, a student-led theater company at UF, usually receives close to $20,000 per semester from Student Government. This semester, it only received $500 through base funding, which is granted to any organization that applies.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF awards distinction to first female College of Medicine professor

By Siena Duncan | Oct. 3, 2022

Nixon is the co-vice chair of the UF department of psychiatry and chief of addiction research. She became the first woman in the College of Medicine to be named a distinguished professor by the university in August — one of the highest honors a UF professor can receive.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF College of Medicine departments appoint diversity liaisons to promote inclusion

By Siena Duncan | Oct. 3, 2022

More than half of UF College of Medicine departments now have a diversity, equity and inclusion liaison — a faculty member specifically dedicated to addressing social issues within the college.

The UF Student Senate meets in the Senate Chamber of the Reitz Union Tuesday, June 7, 2022.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Funding changes prompt worry from UF clubs

By Claire Grunewald | Oct. 3, 2022

UF students are still advocating for their organizations in an ongoing conflict with the university and Student Government after the Senate vote on a bill that allocates funds was pushed back.