Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | EDITORIALS

The Alligator stands with The Battalion - and all student print journalism

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Feb. 14, 2022

On Thursday, Feb. 10, The Battalion, Texas A&M’s student newspaper, was told by university administration to shut down their print edition. The 129-year-old student publication has been printing their paper since 1893. Texas A&M President M. Katherine Banks has demanded it ceases. If it doesn’t move exclusively online, The Battalion will be stripped of its resources, including their office space and faculty advisor. Texas A&M administration is censoring student journalism. That is unacceptable.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

UF’s COVID-19 policies have left us in the dark

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Feb. 14, 2022

We’ve been reporting on COVID-19 since the pandemic hit in March 2020. Our reporting uncovered UF’s failures to respond to concerns of students, faculty and the greater community. We uncovered problems with UF’s covid dorms, UF testing and careless protective measures. The Alligator has remained committed to providing updated information on changing UF policies and COVID numbers on campus. However, we took down our COVID-19 dashboard Jan. 27. We lacked the data from UF, and in the interest of transparency, we feel that we owe our readers an explanation.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Sister Cindy doesn’t deserve your attention — ironic or not

By Sara Lindsay | Feb. 7, 2022

Common themes for Cindy’s speeches include slut shaming, homophobic comments and racist remarks. She became famous by sharing her problematic beliefs on TikTok, and her hateful speeches have grown into a full-blown national tour.

OPINIONS

State legislators should act now to change Florida’s climate future

Feb. 7, 2022

Here in Gainesville, we trust the science, and it tells us climate change is real. Roughly 92% of Floridians agree — they know climate change is real, too. That’s because we’re paying higher electric bills from record heat waves and skyrocketing insurance from stronger hurricanes and increased flooding.

OPINIONS

City Commission silences students

Feb. 7, 2022

UF students make Gainesville the vibrant, progressive city it is. They support local small businesses, ride city-managed public transportation and work in our community.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Are we REALLY all in this together?

By Steven Kirn | Jan. 31, 2022

UF's reputation is under threat. There is a serious breakdown of trust and faith in the school’s academic governing process, the very concept of collegiality and respect for the role of faculty.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

We chose UF — would we choose it again?

By Sara Lindsay | Jan. 24, 2022

Right now, our community cares about COVID-19. Students and faculty are sick, scared of getting sick or sick of the situation in general. And there’s no end in sight. Despite widespread symptoms of pandemic burnout, UF continues to implement a laissez-faire leadership style when it comes to the virus. UF leaders expect masks but won’t mandate them, online class alternatives are rarely offered and simple social distancing protocols in classrooms seem to be a thing of the past.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Fast times at The Alligator

By Chloe Greenberg | Dec. 6, 2021

J’etudie journalisme. (I’m studying journalism). (French).

OPINION | COLUMNS

Ode to exhausting accountability

By Steven Walker | Dec. 6, 2021

Steven Walker, Fall 2021 editor-in-chief, writes his farewell to The Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Sundays are for The Alligator. Always.

By Carolina Ilvento | Dec. 6, 2021

That’s the thing about The Alligator — we care so much for the paper that covering stories is so instinctive that we may forget to sleep. Maybe I don’t need to sleep. Can I stay a bit longer?

OPINION | COLUMNS

Your passion led me here

By Kristin Bausch | Dec. 6, 2021

It’s really hard to pinpoint why this moment is so bitter-sweet, but when you’re surrounded by hardworking individuals 24/7 it’s hard to let that feeling go.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

AFA 4225 Blacks in Florida: A disagreement is not a controversy

Dec. 2, 2021

Before I left home for work on Monday, I received an email about an essay in The Independent Florida Alligator titled “UF African American Studies course title sparks controversy among students.” When I read the headline, I was surprised about the title, because when I agreed to the interview, I thought the article was going to highlight the goals and objectives of the AFA 4225 Blacks in Florida course. The Alligator has a right to publish essays on any topics, but this essay examines how the “Blacks in Florida” title reflects its historical context and why it's not a controversial title.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

UF, UAA has failed its students, alumni, faculty and staff (again)

By the Editorial Board | Nov. 29, 2021

UF reached top 5 status in September. But as the semester progressed, our staff uncovered news beyond the university’s nagging pursuit of rank. Our reporters were busy covering the gaps in university’s decisions that made national headlines.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Holiday light and song for a strong finish

Nov. 29, 2021

These final, hustling weeks of Fall are among my favorite times on campus. We return refreshed by Thanksgiving break, ready to finish the semester strong and looking forward to the celebrations ahead — from graduation to the holidays and New Year.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Time for UF to clean house

Nov. 22, 2021

UF President Kent Fuchs, Provost Joe Glover, Dean Michael Perri and Dean Colleen Koch should resign immediately. Dan Mullen’s team giving up 52 points to Samford made for an unpleasant few hours, but the actions of Fuchs, Glover, Perri and Koch have permanently damaged the university’s reputation and abdicated its mission.

OPINION | COLUMNS

What you can do to curb the flu outbreak

Nov. 22, 2021

Earlier this fall, we were not sure what to expect this flu season. Would influenza remain at the low levels we’ve experienced throughout the pandemic or would it resurface with a vengeance?

OPINION | COLUMNS

Dear legislature: Give us a voice in redistricting

Nov. 9, 2021

It is often said that if elections are when voters choose their politicians, then redistricting is when politicians choose their voters.

OPINION | COLUMNS

A nationwide housing crisis hits locally

Nov. 9, 2021

The state of affordable housing in Alachua County continues to deteriorate. Tenants across the board are being crushed by rising rent prices.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Contrary to popular belief, not everyone wants campus libraries open 24/7

Nov. 5, 2021

Abigail Hasebroock is a UF journalism junior and a frustrated Federal Work Study student.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Pathways to opportunity and involvement at UF

Nov. 3, 2021

At a school with more than 60,000 students, it seems paradoxical that engaging with campus can be difficult.