News - The Independent Florida Alligator

NEWS | CAMPUS

Lil B to speak for Reitz opening, will be paid $15,000

By Gabrielle Calise | Feb. 9, 2016

Lil B is coming to speak at UF on Feb. 18.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Board of Trustees approves beef research board, Hilton sale

By Katelyn Newberg | Feb. 9, 2016

UF’s Board of Trustees approved a beef research organization and the sale of the Hilton UF Conference Center hotel at a meeting Tuesday.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Access senator resigns from UF Senate

By Melissa Gomez | Feb. 9, 2016

In the last UF Senate meeting before elections, Anthony Black (Access, District D) resigned from his seat in the chambers.

NEWS | CAMPUS

College of Education lobbying for elementary reading program

By Savanna Kearney | Feb. 9, 2016

UF’s College of Education is seeking funding to help elementary students learn to read.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF engineers host 66th annual Engineers' Week on campus

By Emanuel Griffin | Feb. 9, 2016

Students can learn about engineering next week.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Mediation training available for conflict resolution on campus

By Amanda DioGuardi | Feb. 9, 2016

UF’s Dean of Students Office will train students to resolve conflicts.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

2016 SG Executive Ticket Debate: Transcript

Feb. 8, 2016

Editor's Note: This was transcribed from a recording of the debate.

Florida's Kasey Hill attempts a layup during UF's 95-63 win over Auburn on Jan. 23, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Florida basketball struggling to avoid complacency after wins

By IAN COHEN | Feb. 8, 2016

After watching his team crumble on Saturday, Kasey Hill didn't mince words on Monday.

Bridget Sloan sticks her landing after her dismount from the balance beam during Florida's win over Alabama on Jan. 28, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Bridget Sloan leading Gators gymnastics by example

By Alejandro López | Feb. 8, 2016

Leadership can be characterized in a number of ways.

Coach Tim Walton walks back to the dugout during Florida's 1-0 win over Florida Atlantic on May 17, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF softball preparing for season-opening tourney

By Matt Brannon | Feb. 8, 2016

Florida’s softball team enters the 2016 season with a target on its back.

Senior Josie Kuhlman scored the deciding point in Florida's 4-2 win over Arkansas in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament. The Gators will face either Ole Miss or Vanderbilt for the title on Sunday.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Doubles point proving to be major factor in Florida’s success

By Jake Dreilinger | Feb. 8, 2016

Florida women’s tennis coach Roland Thornqvist has stressed the importance of doubles play.

Dan Barker, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, speaks to about 60 students and Gainesville residents about atheism and the meaning of life. “We give value to things that are rare,” he said. “So we atheists and non-believers acknowledge that our lives are brief, which gives them more value.”

NEWS | CAMPUS

‘There is no meaning to life:' Speaker discusses atheism, meaning of life

By Katelyn Newberg | Feb. 8, 2016

Dan Barker told about 60 students and Gainesville residents that there is no meaning to life Monday night.

About 200 students watch and applaud as the executive ticket candidates are introduced for the Student Government debate in the University Auditorium on Monday. The debate, which lasted just more than an hour, is the only one that will occur prior to SG elections, which will take place Feb. 16 and 17.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

SG Smackdown: Student Government executive ticket candidates clash in debate

By Melissa Gomez | Feb. 8, 2016

At the only Student Government debate before elections, both Impact Party and Access Party spent the majority of the time hurling insults at each other.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF group looks to overcome taboos about sex

By Kristen Solorzano | Feb. 8, 2016

A UF group will educate students about safe sex and healthy relationships this week.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Research Roundup: babies' development, rafting animals, Johnny Cash tarantula

Feb. 8, 2016

Research shows prenatal stress can affect babies’ development

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Meet the Candidates: Executive Ticket Profiles

By Melissa Gomez | Feb. 7, 2016

Access Party

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Lillian Rozsa - Access Party Student Body treasurer candidate

By Melissa Gomez | Feb. 7, 2016

The first time Lillian Rozsa didn’t exercise her right to vote was when she came to UF. As a freshman, she didn’t want to vote for the single-party system in Senate, which was run by Swamp Party.

Kishan Patel is a 20-year-old UF industrial and systems engineering sophomore running for Student Body treasurer with Impact Party.Patel is currently a sophomore senator. He serves as the Indian Student Association treasurer and as a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee in SG. He was a member of GatoRaas Dance Team and is currently a resident assistant in Cypress Hall. He was also the Access Party treasurer.Patel said he decided to run with Impact because he said Access Party was unable to compromise in Senate.“I’m really moving toward tangible change for the students,” he said. “The Impact Party is all about tangible change.”

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Kishan Patel - Impact Party Student Body treasurer candidate

By Melissa Gomez | Feb. 7, 2016

Kishan Patel put his passion for dancing on pause to help student organizations get funding from Student Government.

Brendon “BJ” Jonassaint is a 21-year-old UF health science junior running for Student Body vice president with Impact Party.Jonassaint is currently a Cabinet liaison for UF Student Senate. He was also a member of the Florida Cicerones, a Preview staffer, a Preview coordinator and a J. Wayne Reitz Scholar. He is also a member of the Black Student Union.Jonassaint said he especially hopes to improve student life.“I think I should be elected because of my passion for the university and my passion for helping students move forward, helping students out in general,” he said.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Brendon "BJ" Jonassaint - Impact Party Student Body vice presidential candidate

By Melissa Gomez | Feb. 7, 2016

Brendon “BJ” Jonassaint was born in UF Health Shands Hospital. He said he’s had UF spirit running through his blood since he was born.

Hammaad Saber is a 22-year-old UF industrial and systems engineering senior running for Student Body vice president with Access Party.Saber currently serves as a senator for the College of Engineering. He served on the Rules and Ethics Committee, was an Innovation Academy ambassador and has interned as a consultant analyst for The Walt Disney Co. Saber was a First Year Florida peer leader and peer mentor, and he is also the networking director of the Institute of Industrial Engineers. He also founded, and is the president of, IA Leadership Enhancement and Development. He said he wants to apply past experiences to the vice presidential role.“I will do everything I can to make sure that the students’ voice are heard, and if a student has a concern, if a student wants an event, I want to make sure that’s reality,” he said. “I have a huge skill set and I’m itching to use it.”

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Hammaad Saber - Access Party Student Body vice presidential candidate

By Melissa Gomez | Feb. 7, 2016

Ever since high school, Hammaad Saber has been set on becoming an engineer.