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VOLUME 114 ISSUE 2
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019 Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida
Not officially associated with the University of Florida
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BACK TO SCHOOL
Santa Fe College chooses presidential semifinalists PRESIDENT JACKSON SASSER ANNOUNCED RETIREMENT IN JANUARY By Hope Dean Alligator Staff Writer
Lily Strickland/ Alligator Staff
Kayla Tellez, a 20-year-old UF psychology junior, takes a selfie with UF President Kent Fuchs on Tuesday at Plaza of the Americas. Fuchs traveled around campus taking photos and giving out free shaved ice for students for the first day of fall classes. “It was amazing. I felt like I met a celebrity,” Tellez said. “It’s my first year on campus, and I’m super excited and it’s just like the cherry on top.” ,
After 17 years of serving as the president of Santa Fe College, Jackson Sasser declared his upcoming retirement in February 2020. He said he expects one thing from the new president: “everything.” Since the announcement in January, more than 60 applicants from across the country have rushed to bid for his position — and only seven are left standing. These semifinalists were chosen by Santa Fe College’s 18-member Presidential Search Committee, which was formed this January in anticipation of Sasser’s leave. The seven will undergo further interviews in front of the committee on Sep. 4 and Sep. 6, after which an undetermined number of finalists
will be chosen, said Search Committee Chair Tom Mallini. Then, it’s up to Santa Fe’s Board of Trustees to choose who will become the college’s next president in October or November. Sasser +said he isn’t worried about the school’s future with the choice being in their hands, he said. “My confidence is at 100 percent that the board will select a president that will not just continue the good things, but that will take this college to a whole new level,” he said. The semifinalists were chosen based on a profile set up by Santa Fe stakeholders: the college’s faculty, administration and board members, Mallini said. They want someone who prioritizes diversity and equality while being able to advocate for the college in Florida legislative meetings and represent the college on a national level like Jackson Sasser has, he said. Although Sasser isn’t involved in
SEE SANTA FE, PAGE 3
Country singer Chase Rice headlines Gator Growl 2019
He will perform Oct. 4 at Flavet Field By Alyssa Feliciano Alligator Staff Writer
A blue and orange box stood in the middle of Turlington Plaza. Gator Growl staffers wearing cowboy hats and boots chanted, counting down while country music played in the background. A crowd of about 100 students filled the plaza to learn who would headline the annual homecoming concert.
The box was lifted up to reveal a staffer holding a sign with a picture of country music singer Chase Rice, who will headline the Homecoming concert on Oct. 4 at Flavet Field. Youtube star and UF alum Cameron “Scooter” Magruder will host the event. Rice, who is a former University of North Carolina football player, is known for his song “Eyes On You” and also came in second place on the reality television show “Survivor: Nicaragua” in 2010.
Tickets can be purchased on Turlington Plaza or online through Ticketmaster, said Gator Growl executive producer Corben Champoux. General admission is $25 for non-UF students and $15 for UF students. A unique code will be emailed to students to redeem the discounted price. Pit Passes, which bring concert goers closest to the stage, cost $50. An opening act will be announced at a later date, Champoux said. She declined to confirm how much Rice and Magruder would be paid. The Alligator made public records requests for the contracts. Champoux said this year’s theme is “This is
Gator Country,” which is why Rice was picked to perform. She believes the student body will react positively to the announcement. “He’s just such a good artist and has so many top hits,” she said. “I think it’s going to go over really well.” Sebastian Mallory, a 21-year-old English and information systems junior said he was disappointed to hear the announcement on social media. Mallory, like some other students in the crowd, speculated that the performer might be “Old Town Road” singer Lil Nas X, who is known for wearing eccentric cowboy hats.
SEE GROWL, PAGE 3
County Commission discusses potential pet breeding licenses THE ORDINANCE WOULD REQUIRE ALL BREEDERS TO HOLD A VALID BREEDING LICENSE
Priya Dames Metro News Assistant
Tensions ran high as city commissioners and Florida pet breeders debated the possibility of new pet breeding regulations in Alachua County. The Alachua County Commission
met Tuesday afternoon to discuss a new ordinance that would make breeding licenses a requirement for both hobby and commercial pet breeders within the county. A decision was not made on the ordinance, and commissioners decided to table it to conduct research. Ed Williams, the director of Alachua County Animal Services, said the number of unsterilized dogs admitted to Animal Services has risen from 68 percent in 2017 to 73 per-
Gators’ offensive line faces tough challenge in Miami
Florida replaces four starters heading into matchup against vicious ‘Canes defense, pg. 11
cent in 2018. A new licensing program, which would require a license for breeders themselves rather than only licenses for individual animals, may provide a way to begin combating these statistics, Williams said. He thinks an existing state breeding law isn’t addressing the issue. “There’s a state law in place for breed regulation, but it’s designed to be a consumer protection mechanism and gives people recourse
in case they buy an animal from a breeder and there are problems with it,” Williams said. Animals are currently registered individually, Williams said. Sterilized and microchipped animals cost $10 per year to register, and unsterilized animals cost $40 per year to register. Susan Smith, the president of the Florida Association of Kennel Clubs, a federation of dog clubs, said a breeder licensing program would be
Nicole Byer no longer coming to speak at UF The event was canceled a week after being publicized, pg 4
unnecessary because of these existing laws that regulate breeding. As the board collaborates with dog clubs to fine tune the conditions of the ordinance, Smith hopes the county will work to better understand the dog breeders’ point of view. “We would really like to work with you on this,” Smith said. “Let’s get this done.” @priya_dames pdames@alligator.org
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How to use UF’s new football ticket app
Learn how to use the newly estbalished football app ahead of the season, pg 5
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