www.alligator.org
We Inform. You Decide.
VOLUME 113 ISSUE 55
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019 Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida
Not officially associated with the University of Florida
No backup artist in place for UF 21 Savage performance By Katherine Wallace-Fernandez Alligator Staff Writer
As 21 Savage’s attorneys ask for the rapper’s release from U.S. immigration custody, UF organizers don’t have a back-up plan for his scheduled sold-out show or know if they’ll have to refund tickets. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained She’yaa Bin AbrahamJoseph, the Grammy-nominated rapper, Sunday morning in a targeted operation in
Atlanta, according to The Associated Press. UF’s Black Student Union and Student Government Productions had planned on having the 26-year-old rapper perform Feb. 27 at the 21 Savage O’Connell Center. UF contracted him to be paid $110,000 for an hourlong set. The rapper’s attorneys said he has had a visa application pending since 2017, AP re-
ported. Both his legal team and ICE authorities say he has not had legal status since his family’s visas expired in 2006. It’s unclear if his team will be able to free him and if that would occur before his scheduled UF performance. UF’s Black Student Union has not discussed plans with Student Government Productions, said Sarah Dominique, BSU’s Black History Month executive director. SGP is working with its agents and will post an update on the show when more information is available, wrote Andrew Kelly,
the SGP chairman, in an email. Tickets for the concert were $10 for students and $20 for the general public. More than 6,000 were available, and they sold out. He is the only artist scheduled to perform, Dominique said. “I was just like, ‘maybe he’ll bounce back from this,’ but considering that this is an immigration issue, I understand that it’s different,” Dominique said. @katwf98 kwallace-fernandez@alligator.org
Student multicultural buildings to open in Fall PROJECT COSTS $9.9 MILLION By Kelly Hayes Alligator Staff Writer
When Isabella Campbell came to UF from Guatemala in 2017, she struggled to find a place where she fit in. “I felt left out,” the 20-year-old UF mechanical engineering sophomore said. That was until, when looking for a study space, she wandered onto the second floor of the Reitz Union. There she found La Salita, a space for Hispanic and Latinx students to gather while the Institute of Hispanic-Latino Cultures, known as La Casita, undergoes construction. Soon, Campbell will be able to study at La Casita, with it and the Institute of Black Culture, scheduled to open in Fall, at 1504 and 1510 W. University Ave., said
William Atkins, director of UF multicultural affairs. “It’s a really great place,” Campbell said. “Here you feel comfortable, you feel represented.” The project is funded by UF Capital Investment Trust Fund and will cost $9,921,048, Atkins said. On Feb. 15, there will be a “topping out” celebration, where onlookers can see the final structural steel beam placed on top of each of the two buildings, Atkins said. “Progress is being made, we’re moving along nicely,” Atkins said. The Institute of Black Culture is expected to have a “residential aesthetic” with a “timeless look,” including a modern-style entry lobby, a café, an event space, a living room, a conference room, a study room and a reflection room, Atkins said.
SEE CONSTRUCTION, PAGE 3
Nicole Needles / Alligator Staff
Getting the Input Che John, a 19-year-old UF finance sophomore, and Maria Espinoza, a 19-year-old UF criminology sophomore, talked to students Tuesday afternoon on Turlington Plaza. John and Espinoza are both members of Inspire Party, and they spent the afternoon reaching out to students about the upcoming Student Government elections. Read the story online at ifla.news/Platform.
UF chemistry professor returns after stuck in Mexico By Mikayla Carroll Alligator Staff Writer
A round of applause erupted in Simon Lopez’s chemistry class Monday when he walked into the room. The UF chemistry professor was stuck with his family in Mexico since December due to issues with his visa application.
With the government temporarily reopening, the U.S. Embassy was able to streamline Lopez’s visa Thursday. He then bought tickets for a flight back to Orlando on Sunday. “I’ve received so much support, not only from students, but from my colleagues and other staff members,” Lopez said. “I’m really glad to feel like I’m back
Auburn surges late, downs Gators 76-62
Coach Mike White said Florida committed too many turnovers in the loss, pg. 14
home.” Lopez is from Venezuela and went to Mexico City to complete his visa application. He came to work at UF in 2014 while on a J-1 visa, which allowed him to travel to the U.S. through a work and study based exchange program if he returned to his home country after a year. He decided to stay in Gainesville and apply for a waiv-
The candidates’ first dual
er that would allow him to stay indefinitely, but the Venezuelan government denied it to all Venezuelans in 2015. Lopez then began applying for an O-1 visa, a visa for people who are talented in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics, in August. He was approved for it but had to get his passport stamped outside of the U.S.
Three Gainesville mayoral candidates argued issues in their first debate Monday, pg. 4
Play that ‘Jeopardy!’ tune
A UF student had a “Jeopardy!” debut Tuesday, pg. 3
Some of Lopez’s students, like CJ Lockwood, a 21-year-old UF environmental science senior, initially struggled to adjust to Lopez’s replacement. “I’m glad he’s back,” Lockwood said. “It is much nicer knowing that everything will be more streamlined now.” @mikaylacarro11 mcarroll@alligator.org
FOLLOW US ONLINE FOR UPDATES @FloridaAlligator @TheAlligator_ @TheAlligator