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VOLUME 114 ISSUE 9
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019 Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida
Not officially associated with the University of Florida
UPD: UF student reported she was raped in Jennings
18 YEARS LATER
THE STUDENT DOES NOT WISH TO RELEASE FURTHER DETAILS TO POLICE
By Dana Cassidy Alligator Staff Writer
A UF student living in Jennings Hall told UF Campus Security Authority she was sexually battered less than a month ago, according to University Police. The student reported the incident to the security authority and said she did not want to disclose further details or tell any UF official or law enforcement officer the perpetrator’s name, according to a UPD release sent to students Tuesday evening. She said she used to be in a “personal relationship” with the perpetrator, according to the release. The reported rape came about two weeks after former UF Weaver Hall Resident Assistant Ian Milaski, a
Samantha Harrison/Alligator Staff
Gator fans hold up an American flag with a sign that reads “Remember 09/11/2001” Saturday during the football game against UT Martin. Read our Q&A with a UF journalism professor who reported on the Sept. 11 terror attacks while in New York City on page 5.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announces UF’s
rise to No. 7 public university in U.S.
UF was ranked eighth last year By Hope Dean and Alyssa Feliciano Alligator Staff Writers
Gov. Ron DeSantis entered a small room packed with faculty and media Monday in UF’s Emerson Alumni Hall to give a ‘major announcement’: UF is now the seventh best public university in the U.S. The distinction comes from U.S. News and World Report, which released its 35th annual college rankings list for 2020. UF tied with the University of California, Santa Barbara for seventh place and moved to 34th on the national ranking of public and private universities, up from 35th place in the 2019 rankings. UF first entered the Top 10 list in the 2018 rankings when it tied for ninth place with the University of California, Irvine and the University of California, San Diego. It reached the list again in the 2019 rankings when it tied with the Georgia Institute of Technology for eighth place. The rankings were based off of graduation and
Young players will contribute in UF-UK game
Fans will see fresh faces on Saturday due to injuries, pg 11
retention rates, class size, faculty pay, student performance, expert opinion and more, according to U.S. News. DeSantis said this progress not only helps students, but also helps the entire state grow economically. “People don’t necessarily realize that our entire state university system is ranked number one by U.S. News as well. They don’t necessarily know that the University of Florida is going to be knocking on the top five soon,” DeSantis said. “I think when people know that, they’re like, ‘Man, we’re going to have a lot of talent down in Florida. This is a great place to invest.’” UF President Kent Fuchs said the new distinction can increase faculty and student recruitment from across the nation, provide new opportunities for university-sponsored philanthropy and prove that increased funding from the Florida’s state legislature has paid off.
SEE NO. 7, PAGE 4
County commission repeals plastic ban
21-year-old economics senior, was arrested and charged with battery and false imprisonment. A female student accused him of repeatedly asking for sex, trying to “finger her” against her will and coming into her dorm room while she was asleep. Milaski was released on his own recognizance from the Alachua County Jail Friday after his $125,000 bond was reduced. A judge granted the motion that wrote he was a “highachieving” student with financial troubles. The alert sent by UPD included tips to avoid sexual assault or battery, such as not walking alone, being aware of one’s surroundings, staying in well-lit areas when walking and to walk in the opposite direction of a vehicle if it seems to be following an individual. @danacassidy_ dcassidy@alligator.org
Former Gators linebacker Neiron Ball dies at 27 BALL SUFFERED FROM A CONGENITAL BRAIN DISEASE. By Tyler Nettuno Alligator Staff Writer
Former Florida and Oakland Raiders linebacker Neiron Ball died after a lengthy battle with a brain illness early Monday morning. Ball played at UF under former coaches Urban Meyer and Will Muschamp from 2010 to 2014. He missed the entire 2011 season when he underwent surgery for arteriovenous malformation, which can cause blood vessels in the brain to rupture. The exact cause of death is unclear. His sister, Natalie Ball Myricks, announced Ball’s death on Facebook Tuesday. “Neiron was a very special and loving father, brother and teammate,” she said. “Neiron has transitioned to a place of peace.” After his recovery, he returned to the team, starting 16 games over his final three seasons before being drafted by the Raiders in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He had nine tackles and a sack in his
The city will discuss a similar ordinance Thursday , pg 4
only professional season. Ball’s condition worsened last September, when he suffered a brain aneurysm that paralyzed all Ball four limbs and left him in a medically induced coma. According to a GoFundMe page created by his family on July 23, Ball was “fighting for his life.” Since then, the page has raised more than $130,000 as of Tuesday evening, shattering its goal of $100,000. More than 2,300 people contributed to the page. Former Gators teammate and current Raider offensive tackle, Trent Brown, reacted on Twitter to the news of Ball’s death. “Some tears you just don’t be prepared for…” Brown posted. @TylerNettuno tnettuno@alligator.org
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A woman's wild ride in a patrol car
She's accused of stealing the car and starting a chase, pg 5
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