News - The Independent Florida Alligator

NEWS | CAMPUS

250 seats coming to Reitz food court

By Melissa Gomez | June 17, 2015

In January 2016, finding a seat in the Reitz Union food court will be slightly easier.

A UF employee removes a lock from an abandoned bicycle using a blowtorch outside Rawlings Hall.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Abandoned bikes at UF rounded up for auction

By Melissa Gomez | June 17, 2015

Abandoned bicycles chained with a U-Lock outside the Reitz Union and Rawlings Hall faced their biggest enemy on Wednesday: a blow torch.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF student is stable after scooter accident

By Melissa Mihm | June 15, 2015

Southwest 13th Street at Museum Road was closed for about an hour Monday morning after a UF student on a scooter collided with a truck.

NEWS | CAMPUS

ZBT charged with conduct violations

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | June 15, 2015

A UF investigation confirmed that members of its Zeta Beta Tau fraternity chapter acted inappropriately while staying at a Panama City Beach resort for their three-day Spring formal.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Five more states involved in College of Education project

By Ramon Pena Alligator Contributing Writer | June 15, 2015

A $25 million UF College of Education project that helps teachers serve students with disabilities has expanded to five more states.

From left: Helen Warren, City Commissioner; Brad Purcell, South Florida Water Management District; Ed Braddy, Mayor; David Lewis, Wharton Smith; Chris Wynn, Florida Fish and Wildlife; Chris Keller, Wetland Solutions; and Tom Frick, FDEP, cut the ribbon at Friday's grand opening of Sweetwater Wetlands Park, located at 325 SW Williston Road.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Sweetwater Wetlands Park opens

By Laura Gomez | June 15, 2015

Gainesville’s newest park is more than just a recreational space. It’s a collaborative project engineered to benefit the environment.

NEWS | CAMPUS

WUFT set to add two new radio stations in Fall semester

By Lauren Blakely | June 15, 2015

The UF College of Journalism and Communications will broaden its reach with the addition of two radio stations in the Fall.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Student Senate approves 1st reading of ‘15-’16 budget

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | June 10, 2015

The UF Student Senate approved the first reading of the activity and service fee budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year on Tuesday.

NEWS | FEATURES

Skin cancer now more prevalent in young people

By Sedona Huffty | June 10, 2015

As the summer sun heats up, so do the rates of Americans with skin cancer.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF students respond to Rubio’s student loan reform plan

By Sedona Huffty | June 8, 2015

U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Marco Rubio announced his plan for student-loan reform at a campaign event in Iowa.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF board of trustees development plan in progress

By Melissa Gomez | June 8, 2015

The UF Board of Trustees proposed a 10-year development plan to the Florida Legislature in hopes of receiving a $100 million grant.

Rod McGalliard, 67, talks about why he doesn't want UF's loblolly pine trees overlooking the golf course to be removed. Nine of the trees will be cut down to increase the amount of sunlight that reaches the turf.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Resident responds to tree removal at UF bat house

By Ansley Pentz | June 8, 2015

These trees stand apart from the others.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF observatory ranked among top 35 college observatories

By Lubin | June 8, 2015

Rosemary Hill Observatory, under the UF Astronomy department, was ranked No. 25 in a list of the top 35 college observatories in the nation on Collegerank.net.

Olivia Garcia says goodbye to 19-year-old UF biology junior Timmi Tan at a farewell reception in Garcia's honor at La Casita Wednesday. "You can tell she's very driven and passionate about what she does," said Tan, who started working with Garcia at La Casita this semester.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Director of Hispanic-Latino Cultures leaves Gainesville, UF

By Katrina Alvarez | June 3, 2015

After almost two years of working at the UF’s Institute of Hispanic-Latino Cultures, Director Olivia Garcia plans to return to her hometown of El Paso, Texas.

Pictured is the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity house on Fraternity Drive. In late April, UF shut down the local ZBT chapter after launching a misconduct investigation as a result of an incident in Panama City Beach involving members of the fraternity.

NEWS | CAMPUS

No members of ZBT charged

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | June 3, 2015

UF and Emory University Zeta Beta Tau fraternity members who reportedly harassed and spit on veterans at a retreat in Panama City Beach will not face criminal charges.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Resarch Roundup

June 3, 2015

Stem cell research could help those with muscular dystrophy

Coach Tim Walton was more than happy to empty his bench in Florida's 19-3 win over Florida A&M on Wednesday. “I think overall the main priority is to get everybody at-bats and to keep our timing right," he said.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF softball coach Tim Walton looking to make history

By Luis Torres | June 1, 2015

The Florida softball team is on the cusp of making history.

Patricia Garces speaks to her son, Matias Garces, in Spanish in the living room of their mobile home. The Garceses came to the U.S. in 2000 on tourist visas; when their visas expired they became one of the millions of undocumented families living in the country.

NEWS | FEATURES

The silent struggles of a migrant in the U.S.

By Hunter Williamson | June 1, 2015

Matias Garces’ fingers dance across the fretboard as his guitar cries out, singing the song of a man who lost it all.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Bridge-building team wins national contest

By Luisa Guaracao | June 1, 2015

After a year of work, the UF Eckhoff Steel Bridge Team built its way to the top.

NEWS | FEATURES

Knowledge about interior of Mars is InSight

By Kyle Bennett | June 1, 2015

A first-of-its-kind mission to study the interior of the planet Mars is set to launch in 2016, and a UF professor is playing a critical role in the planning process.