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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2023

VOLUME 118 - ISSUE 13 Not officially associated with the University of Florida

Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida

UF faculty share mixed reviews about Sasse’s strategic vision for tuition changes, post-tenure review Faculty submitted anonymous feedback directly to the president By Garrett Shanley Alligator Staff Writer

UF faculty have expressed a mixture of support, skepticism and disdain for UF President Ben Sasse’s vision for the university’s future. A total of 157 anonymous submissions to a feedback portal on the president’s website from August to September revealed the unfiltered opinions of UF faculty regarding Sasse’s strategic plan. The feedback has helped “shape [administration’s] thinking” and “refined [its] options,” a UF spokesperson wrote in an email. “Just one example: it’s obvious that too much bureaucratic red tape exists, and it frustrates faculty. Nobody becomes a professor because they're passionate about paperwork. That’s a problem that became apparent as a result of some of these conversations, and it's a priority to fix.” Sasse revealed his preliminary visions for UF in August in facultyonly “roadshows” across UF’s 16 colleges, where he discussed adjusting student tuition costs and improving the productivity of "quiet-retired" faculty through posttenure review. Sasse has predicted that low tuition costs, which are heavily subsidized by the Legislature and Bright Futures scholarships, can’t continue. In his roadshows, he said tuition is radically underpriced and

SPORTS/SPECIAL/CUTOUT

Gators geaux down Story description finish with comma,

Florida falters in Baton Rouge, lose pg# third straight. Read more on pg. 11.

"an economic model that doesn't make sense." "We are the only state that loses money on every student," Sasse said in one presentation. "We should definitely be charging ability-to-pay for children of the wealthiest." The anonymous feedback largely opposed any changes to the university’s tuition rates. “President Sasse’s attack on Bright Futures makes it seem as if he is unaware of the financial reality that many students are facing due to the rapid increase in cost of living in Florida,” one faculty member wrote. “UF leadership needs to support, not attack, Bright Futures.” One message, submitted to the portal 37 times, read: “President Sasse, PLEASE DON’T raise out-ofstate tuition for current students! With room and board expenses, we’re barely able to afford a UF education for our freshman son. We allowed him to pursue his Gator dream — instead of paying significantly less at Binghamton University — under the fair assumption that $28k would remain stable for the final three years of his undergrad education. He loves studying in Gainesville and would be DEVASTATED if forced to transfer to a school in our home state (New York). Thanks for your understanding!”

SEE FEEDBACK, PAGE 5

Jackson Reyes // Alligator Staff

Junior running back Montrell Johnson Jr. runs toward the endzone in the Gators’ 52-35 loss to the LSU Tigers on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 in Baton Rouge, La. Florida fell to 5-5 on the season after the loss. The last time UF had three consecutive losing seasons was from 1945 to 1947. Read more on page 11.

Petition to limit protests on Gainesville abortion clinic’s sidewalk reaches 700 signatures THE ONLINE PETITION, DIRECTED TO THE CITY COMMISSION, RE-IGNITES DISCUSSION OF BUFFER ZONES

By Zoey Thomas Alligator Staff Writer

Andrew Scholberg has been arrested 13 times. But that doesn’t deter the 71-year-old freelance writer and pro-life activist from continuing the work he’s been doing for almost 50 years — standing outside abortion clinics to pray and offer alternatives to women entering the building.

Special Session

A MoveOn petition created Nov. 2 asks the Gainesville City Commission to deter abortion critics like Scholberg from gathering outside Bread & Roses, one of Gainesville’s two abortion clinics. The petition, which gathered over 700 signatures in the week and a half since its creation, encourages signers to ask the commission for “No Loitering or Solicitation” signs along Northwest 10th Avenue. Protestors on the sidewalk outside the clinic “gather to intimidate, harass, assault and disturb” both employees and patients, the petition said. “I have watched them scream

State lawmakers pass resolutions condemning Hamas attacks, pg. 4

at people walking into the clinic for health care, often even chasing them onto the Bread & Roses property,” the petition’s creator said, who asked to remain anonymous for personal safety, in an email to The Alligator. Pro-life groups say they will take clients’ babies or repeat incorrect information about when the baby has a heartbeat, all as a method of intimidation and harassment, the petition’s creator said. Buffer zones in Gainesville: A 10-year conversation

SEE B&R, PAGE 6

Music

Elvie Shane debuts new single at Vivid Music Hall, pg. 7

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2 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2023

New stateToday’s rules limit bathroom Weather access at Florida universities, remove sociology class from general education State higher education officials voted on the new regulations Nov. 9 By Garrett Shanley Alligator Staff Writer

University faculty and staff could be fired for using restrooms that don’t align with their sex assigned at birth under a new state regulation. The regulation was passed near-unanimously Nov. 9 to comply with House Bill 1521, known as the Safety in Private Spaces Act, which Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law in May. The bill requires state universities to have designated bathrooms and changing facilities for males and females. If a person enters a public bathroom that doesn’t align with their gender assigned at birth, they can now be charged with trespassing under Florida Statutes. Members of the LGBTQ+ community at UF have criticized the bill as discriminatory, citing concerns that it would empower people to enact “vigilante violence” against transgender and nonbinary people using bathrooms that align with their gender identity. The new regulation stipulates that university employees who violate the rule can be punished with “disciplinary actions up to and including dismissal.” The Board of Governors, which operates the state’s public university system, passed the

regulation at a Nov. 9 meeting in a 15-2 vote. Amanda Phalin, a UF business professor and chair of the board’s advisory council of faculty senates, vocally opposed the regulation. “Currently there is no empirical evidence that links granting transgender individuals access to corresponding gender bathrooms that results in increased sexual offenses,” Phalin told the board. Anecdotal evidence suggests there is an increase of violence against women who present as masculine, she added. Sociology to no longer fulfill core requirement

The board also moved to make changes to "general education core courses,” which included changes to an introductory sociology course. Principles of Sociology will still be available to students but will no longer fill core social science requirements. A course in civic literacy will take its place. The change was made to satisfy new requirements under State Bill 266, a sweeping set of higher education signed into law in May. The law requires a review of the state college and university systems' core courses in five subject areas. Faculty committees provided recommendations for the new core course requirements. The

VOLUME 118 - ISSUE 13

ISSN 0889-2423

Not officially associated with the University of Florida Published by Campus Communications Inc., of Gainesville, Florida

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committees ultimately decided to add Introduction to Geology and Introduction to Oceanography to natural science offerings, and Introductory Survey to 1877 to social science offerings. Before a regulation amending the course requirements to reflect the committees’ suggestions was moved to a vote, Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr. suggested removing Principles of Sociology from the social sciences offerings. Diaz said students could use the course to fulfill a new requirement to demonstrate civic literacy competency. The move elicited pushback from Phalin and Jack Hitchcock, a student representative on the board. “Adding the [history] class promotes civic engagement and education,” Hitchcock said. “I don’t know how deleting Principles of Sociology promotes civic engagement and education.” The regulation will be made available for public comment for 14 days before the board votes on final approval. @garrettshanley gshanley@alligator.org

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2023 ALLIGATOR 3

UF pro-Palestine organization remains active despite DeSantis’ termination order PENDING ACTION DUE TO LEGAL CONCERNS, ABSENCE OF TERRORIST PROOF

By Sophia Bailly Alligator Staff Writer

Florida chapters of the proPalestine organization, Students for Justice in Palestine, have not been deactivated by Gov. Ron DeSantis, despite the order released by State University System’s chancellor Ray Rodrigues more than three weeks ago. The national organization has two active chapters at UF and the University of South Florida. The order to deactivate these groups followed concerns that the organization has direct ties to Hamas, the militant group that carried out the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Pending legal concerns about the group’s deactivation process has Rodrigues re-evaluating how to move forward. “Both universities have obtained legal opinions,” Rodrigues said

during the Board of Governors meeting Nov. 9. “We have reviewed those opinions, and in short, they raise concerns about potential personal liability for university actors.” Rodrigues said in his Oct. 24 memo that a National Students for Justice in Palestine’s toolkit expressed solidarity with Hamas. While Hamas isn’t mentioned in the toolkit, Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, which is the attack Hamas led on Israel, is referenced. The state chapters may not be under the national organization’s direct leadership. Rodrigues is working with the universities to ensure the groups will reject violence and Hamas’ message. UF’s chapter is still listed as operational in the directory of student organizations. The ongoing re-evaluation of the Oct. 24 decision aligns with DeSantis’ attendance at the third Republican presidential primary debate Nov. 8, where he used his actions against Students for Justice in Palestine for leverage in his campaign.

During the debate, DeSantis said the groups had been shut down. “I already acted in Florida,” DeSantis said at the debate. “We had a group, Students for Justice in Palestine. They said they are common cause with Hamas. They said ‘We’re not just in solidarity, this is what we are.’ We deactivated them.” Although the state has legal concerns regarding deactivation, there are potential ramifications for UF and USF for knowingly providing a space for terrorism, which is against state law. Under Statute 1005.8, state funds allocated toward colleges and universities can’t be associated with a terrorist state. The state chapters outline in their campus applications that they are not chartered by the National Students for Justice in Palestine. Current and former members of UF’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine didn’t respond for comment. @sophia_bailly sbailly@alligator.org

Evelyn Miguel // Alligator Staff

An attendee of UF SJP’s discussion in Turlington wearing a Palestine keffiyeh neck scarf on Thursday Oct. 12, 2023.

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4 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2023

Fact-checking DeSantis’ recent claims TAKING A LOOK AT HIS POLICIES ON EDUCATION, THE ECONOMY AND FOREIGN RELATIONS

By Jordan Ramos Alligator Staff Writer

During his presidential run, Gov. Ron DeSantis has made many claims during stump speeches and debates. He has covered topics like his state’s financial stability, academic freedom and gender ideology. Over the course of not just his candidacy, but also governorship, DeSantis has also been an avid critic of the current White House. “The people in Washington are shutting down the American dream with their reckless behavior,” DeSantis said during the Republican Primary Debate Sept. 27. The Alligator fact-checked his most recent statements about Florida. Here are the results:

True statement on education

DeSantis said Florida has the best education in the country during the second 2024 Republican presidential primary debate. Florida has been ranked No. 1 for education for the past seven years, according to the U.S. News & World Report. Florida is ranked 14th for grades Pre-K-12, while it is first for higher education. New Jersey is in second place overall with its Pre-K-12th grade ranked No. 1, and its higher education being ranked 29th. Unclear statements on critical race theory, gender ideology

Another claim DeSantis made is that criti-

False statement on the economy

During a recent speech in Iowa, DeSantis said Florida has the best economy in the country. During one of the 2024 Republican Party presidential primary debates, DeSantis said he categorized Florida’s economy as the best using information he obtained from a 2023 article from CNBC. However, U.S. News & World Report ranked Florida seventh, while Utah is ranked first. Unlike CNBC’s focus on six economic indicators, U.S. News & World Report’s methodology is more comprehensive, evaluating 71 metrics across eight categories on states’ overall wellbeing.

Rebecca Blackwell // Associated Press

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by NBC News, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Miami.

cal race theory and gender ideology have been wiped from schools in Florida during the second Republican debate. Gender ideology is not a term in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary or Oxford Languages. DeSantis did prohibit the discussion of gender and sexuality by signing the Parental Rights in Education bill, dubbed by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, in March 2022. The law went into effect in July 2022. Critical race theory is “a set of ideas holding that racial bias is inherent in many parts of western society, especially in its legal and social institutions, on the basis of their having been primarily designed for and implemented by white people,” according to Oxford Languages. Several school boards have stated that they have never taught critical race theory in their schools. Critical race theory is also not found within the Florida State Standards. “I had not heard of either term before I got to college,” Jacob Price, a 19-year-old UF music education sophomore, said. “Critical race theory is talked about in some of my education classes. I do not recall being familiar with gender ideology before DeSantis mentioned it.” The Florida Board of Education has recently changed some of the standards about African American history. One of the standards that has received scrutiny from many is in relation to Black people developing skills while they provided slave labor. “Instruction includes how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit,” the 2023 Florida History Standards states. In an interview with NBC, DeSantis said this standard means “They developed skills in spite of slavery, not because of slavery.” During a Republican primary debate, DeSantis said the quote above was a hoax perpe-

trated by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. False statement on teacher salary

While DeSantis did successfully lobby the Florida legislature to raise the starting teacher salary, Florida is not the ninth-best state for teacher salaries overall — which he told viewers at the second Republican debate Sept. 27. Florida is below average when it comes to teacher pay, according to the World Population Review. The state is No. 9 in terms of starting teacher pay. The average teacher salary in Florida was about $48,000 when DeSantis became governor in the 2018-2019 school year. The average teacher salary for the 2022-2023 school year is about $53,000, according to the Florida Department of Education. This is about a 10% increase in teacher salaries from the years 2018-2022. Unclear statements on Latin America

When asked a question about the immigration policy at the Mexico border, DeSantis redirected the question and told a story of a young baby who died of a fentanyl overdose after the baby’s family rented an Airbnb. The people who rented the property before were doing drugs, according to DeSantis and media outlets. DeSantis failed to explain why this story relates to the Mexico border. The only information about the case currently is that the people who rented the property before the family threw a party with drugs, but there was no fentanyl at the party, according to an article written by NBC. @JordanR68971799 jramos@alligator.org

Special legislative session emphasizes Florida lawmakers’ support for Israel LEGISLATION PASSED COUNTERED ANTISEMITISM AND SANCTIONED IRAN

By Sophia Bailly Alligator Staff Writer

Roughly one month after Hamas attacked Israel Oct. 7, Florida lawmakers convened in Tallahassee for a special session focused on showing support for Israel in its war against the Palestinian militant group. During last week’s special session, lawmakers passed resolutions to condemn the Hamas attacks and express support for Israel. The legislature also approved legislation to expand economic sanctions on Iran-backed businesses. Additionally, lawmakers appropriated $45 million for Jewish institutions to further support Jewish individuals amid the rise in antisemitism. Alachua County lawmakers expressed their support and skepticism of the legislation passed during the special session. Florida Sen. Keith Perry, RGainesville, who co-sponsored a Senate resolution bill in support of Israel, said the session came at a critical time. “We have a lot of Jewish colleagues and friends,” he said. “To condemn these kinds of terrorist

attacks, really anywhere in the world, is important.” The two resolution bills showing support for Israel — House Resolution 9C and Senate Resolution 8C — passed with unanimous support from the senators and representatives present last week. “Our goal was to have a message of solidarity with Israel, and that was achieved,” Perry said. The special session also took place the same week Gov. Ron DeSantis faced four other candidates at the third Republican presidential primary debate Nov. 8 in Miami. When asked about the IsraelHamas war, DeSantis shared his unwavering support for Israel’s military response to the Hamas attacks. “Finish the job, once and for all,” DeSantis said. There was minimal discussion about Palestinians during the special legislative session, Perry said. However, lawmakers moved to further sanction Iran with Senate Bill 10-C. The bill passed unanimously and will broaden restrictions on state investments in Iranbacked businesses. The goal is to diminish Iran’s economic ability, Perry said, out of concern for Iran’s financial backing of Hamas. Government regimes that support terrorism do not have civilians’ best intentions

in mind, Perry added. “I think the people who live in Palestine under Hamas suffer a ton,” Perry said. “You don’t speak out against Hamas unless you want to disappear.” Florida House Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson, D-Gainesville, was not present at the special legislative session due to a family emergency but voiced skepticism about the session’s accomplishments. The conversations in Tallahassee have steered too far into international territory, Hinson said. While Florida’s Jewish population cannot go ignored, Hinson thinks the $45 million lawmakers are looking to disperse to Jewish institutions, like schools and synagogues, subtracts from other issues prevalent in Florida, such as insurance affordability and cost of living. “We need to stay in our lane and focus on Florida,” she said. “We have all kinds of communities of people that need support right here.” During the session, Florida House Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville, proposed House Resolution 31C, which called for the “deescalation and cease-fire in the state of Israel and occupied Palestine.” Nixon and Florida House Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, who is Iranian, were the lone rep-

resentatives among the 106 lawmakers present who supported the bill. To Hinson, it was not the time and place to call for support for a ceasefire, partly because she doesn’t expect Hamas to respect a ceasefire agreement. However, opposition toward Nixon was too aggressive, she added, with several Democratic and Republican lawmakers calling her resolution antisemitic. Despite major bipartisan support for Israel, Hinson said the conflicting views about the Israel-Hamas war have sparked rifts within the legislature. The friction was especially visible within the Democratic caucus’ reaction to Nixon’s resolution, Hinson added. “We have so violently traumatized each other about the way we feel about particular issues,” Hinson said. “We’ve got to figure this out. We can’t continue this way.” Hinson also views DeSantis’ current outspokenness about Israel as merely a strategy to garner support for his presidential campaign. The special session came three weeks after Florida House Rep. Randy Fine, R-Melbourne, publicly denounced DeSantis’ for his lack of support for the Jewish community. Fine, who is Jewish, was one of DeSantis’ strongest

supporters. Instead, Fine said he will be supporting Trump for the presidency. The political game is obscuring DeSantis’ focus on equal support for struggling communities in Florida, Hinson said. “I think we need to be a little bit more sensitive and careful about how we treat other people, especially people that are actual Florida citizens,” Hinson said. Florida Senator Jennifer Bradley, a Republican who serves the northern half of Alachua County, voted for the resolution in support of Israel and views the Jewish state as a long-time friend and ally to Florida. “[The resolution] sends a message to the state that sends a message nationally that Florida stands with Israel today and tomorrow and in the future,” Bradley said. The focus on Israel does not deviate from the focus on Florida, because the state has a sizable Jewish population, she said, especially at UF. Nearly 20% of UF’s undergraduate student population is Jewish, according to Hillel International. “I’m not going to ask Israel to stand down,” she said. “Israel has every right to defend itself and protect its people.” @sophia_bailly sbailly@alligator.org

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2023 ALLIGATOR 5

Changing climate, changing gardens COMMUNITY GARDENS FACE CHALLENGES FROM HEAT, DROUGHT

By Claire Grunewald Alligator Staff Writer

Abigail Perret-Gentil, the founder of homeless shelter GRACE Marketplace’s community garden, watches the garden suffer from climate change. But she can’t protect the garden and the homeless shelter residents at the same time. “[Weather] fluctuations are impacting the garden and the people who sleep outside,” Perret-Gentil said. “We really haven't grown a lot of tropical [plants] because we're at a shelter, and blankets are really important, and it doesn't feel right to cover plants with blankets and not people.” Perret-Gentil preps the Grace Grows Garden, at 3055 NE 28th Drive, for intense climate changes by prioritizing low-risk plants like collard greens, she said. But she always prioritizes the residents first. Community gardens, like the Grace Grows Garden, are green spaces in neighborhoods and towns for residents to grow their own plants and vegetables. These gardens can reduce urban heat islands, provide ecosystem services, increase stormwater retention and support food security, according to the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center. But this community garden, and others in Florida, are facing similar problems resulting from climate change. Climate change is threatening gardening across the country because of higher average temperatures and changing precipitation patterns, according to the National Wildlife Federation. This past year, Florida experienced some of the hottest days ever recorded and a drought, which the community gardens have been all too familiar with. The summer of 2023 was Earth’s hottest since global records began in 1880, according to scientists at NASA’s Goddard Institute of Space Studies. June, July and August combined were 0.41 degrees Fahrenheit warmer

than any other summer in NASA’s record. Perret-Gentil and other volunteers planted locally adapted trees to increase shade in the eco-friendly garden area near GRACE dorms that shelters 100 people, she said. With changing temperatures, the garden has experienced changes, Perret-Gentil said. “It's heating up, so we're slowly seeing our growing zones shift upward, which means you can start growing more tropical stuff that likes the heat,” Perret-Gentil said. “But climate change fluctuations don't allow you to do that in a safe manner where you don't lose crops, because then suddenly we'll get a late freeze and if we had planted a bunch of tropicals, they're all gone.” About 29% of the contiguous U.S. fell in the moderate to extreme drought categories — based on the Palmer Drought Index — at the end of August, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. Local volunteer Jonathan Brainard and fellow Dunnellon residents tend to the Dunnellon Community Garden almost year-round — except for summers, as higher temperatures and drought starve the plants. The garden, at 20077 SW 110th St. in the small city southwest of Ocala, has 27 beds to fill, but soaring temperatures kept all but four people from braving the heat this summer to maintain them, Brainard said. Most people focus on gardening in the fall and spring. Due to the increase in temperatures and a decrease in precipitation in 2023, Brainard and other garden volunteers welcome Florida’s hurricane season, especially in the past year. “The biggest problem was drought,” Brainard said. “It was so hot and dry that even watering it, a lot of plants wouldn't germinate and if they did come up, they didn't prosper. They seem to miss the real rain.” This year was the worst drought the garden had experienced so far, Brainard said. “It was the length of the dry spell that really impacted because we can put shade cloth over them, but we can't simulate what real rain is like,” Brainard said. “I think that makes a big difference.” Freezes during the winter can also affect the gardens.

Jiselle Lee // Alligator Staff

Meg Boria-Meyer installs support for the tomato sprouts at Gainesville Giving Garden on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. She is the founder and director of the nonprofit. Meg Boria-Meyer is the founder of the Gainesville Giving Garden, at 225 NW 12th Ave., and witnessed extreme temperatures kill plants. “I think climate change is just making things less predictable,” Boria-Meyer said. “For example, we put our tomatoes in and then there's an unexpected frost. I think in our first year it killed a lot of our tomatoes, and we lost a lot of crops.” However, community gardens can fight climate change as they promote producing organic food and shopping locally, she said. Boria-Meyer believes if the community can work together in promoting locally producing food — it’s a step in the right direction. The UF Organic Gardens Cooperative, south of Archer Road at 2617 SW 23rd Terrace, can tackle dry, hot summers by introducing a variety of plants to the garden, said Susan Vince, the cooperative’s treasurer who has worked in the garden for 40 years. “We have a very international community [at] the garden. We have students and staff

from all over the world, and people have kind of introduced a variety of plants that will make it through the summer,” Vince said. The garden grows plants in the summer such as luffas, cassavas and winged beans because they can survive tropical temperatures. Changing temperatures still affect the garden, however. “We would routinely plant what are considered to be fall and winter crops like broccoli and cabbage in September,” Vince said. “But now we really can't do it in September anymore and have to wait a few weeks into October.” Still, Vince, like other gardeners, believes growing plants and food can be a tool to fight climate change. “Our plants are not acting as storage for carbon … If we are planting and eating local foods, we're certainly cutting down on fuel,” Vince said.

Anonymous feedback form FEEDBACK, from pg. 1

Patricia Pascual // Alligator Staff

The anonymous feedback generally criticized Sasse’s use of “quietretired” as “misplaced” and said it was based on anecdotal evidence. Most faculty are productive despite low salaries, one faculty member wrote. “Perhaps you do not realize the negative impact that your message has by admonishing what is overwhelmingly a high performing team of faculty,” they wrote. Another faculty member wrote that Sasse’s assertion ignores “underlying burnout” from the pandemic and Florida’s political climate. “It's not that we as a faculty don't wish to strive for excellence and high standards,” the faculty member wrote. “We are just done. And tired.” Other submissions argued low productivity was the result of poor management from deans and unit leaders. Not all feedback was against the term. One submission reported an IFAS faculty member as the “defini-

tion of quiet-retired” and “a blight on everyone around him that are trying to do their job.” In his State of the University address, Sasse said new, state-mandated post-tenure review processes will help crack down on the low productivity of quiet-retired faculty. The feedback showed a mixture of support and condemnation for post-tenure review. “I for one am looking forward to post-tenure review and having a chance to show off my work to peers and administrators,” one submission read. “Post-tenure review — bring it on!” Arguments against post-tenure review centered around whether its implementation was spurred by false narratives of “quiet-retirement” and uncertainty about what criteria will be used in the evaluations. “The state's post-tenure review legislation is either based on random anecdotes that found their way to state legislators eager to condemn us or a political maneuver meant to bully us,” one faculty member wrote. “Please don't play a part in

@grunewaldclaire cgrunewald@alligator.org

this farce.” Faculty largely praised Sasse’s data-driven approach and said they felt more optimistic about his administration after the presentations. Others were not as hopeful. “The future looks bleak at UF,” one faculty member wrote. “The faculty have rarely seen or heard from the president. When we have it has not been to inspire a vision of what UF aspires to become, but to chastise and patronize their efforts. All of this is why I am actively looking for the first opportunity out of UF. The pay is low, the support is weak, and the vision is absent.” One submission wrote morale “has never been lower than it is now” and noted, “there is very little trust between faculty/staff and the state government.” “I feel like the state has decided that we are the enemy,” they wrote. “We are hearing a lot about what we do wrong, yet very little about what we do right. Faculty are tired and beaten down. I feel like we perceive that you are an extension of DeSantis. You need to earn our trust.” @garrettshanley gshanley@alligator.org

6 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2023

Florida Museums work toward Native American repatriation THE MUSEUM PLANS TO RETURN ANCESTRAL REMAINS TO INDIGENOUS TRIBES, RENOVATE 20-YEAR-OLD EXHIBIT

By Jinelle Vazquez Alligator Staff Writer

Cassie Urbenz, a 22-year-old UF MFA visual communications student and descendant of the Mi'kmaq tribe, has visited the Florida Museum a few times since coming to UF. When they learned the museum holds thousands of Native American remains, they were mortified they hadn’t known sooner. “I just can’t imagine being a Seminole-descended student and not knowing that somebody who I potentially have ancestral relations to is in a hall across from my dorm,” Urbenz said. The Florida Museum’s collections hold at least 2,500 Native American ancestors — the 11th-largest collection of unrepatriated Native American remains in the United States — and sacred items in its Powell Hall exhibit. The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 requires institutions receiving federal funds, like UF, to return ancestors and sacred objects to federally recognized tribes. The museum has recently reinforced its commitment to NAGPRA by resuming its initiative to return ancestral remains and planning renovations for a 20-year-old exhibit on indigenous history. The museum has begun a multiphase project to redesign its “South Florida People and Environments”

exhibit. Last month, the museum received a consultation documentation grant of $99,897 to examine items from three select counties in northeast Florida. After examination, any items or remains will be returned to the corresponding tribes. The Florida Museum also secured a NAGPRA grant of $90,000 in 2021 from the National Park Service, which funded efforts to consult with tribal partners to determine where selected items from northwest Florida should be returned. As Urbenz works on decolonizing themselves from Western narratives, they said they find it strange that the university has not fully complied with NAGPRA by returning all of the ancestral remains held at the museum. Decolonization refers to the process of marginalized communities erasing the remnants of oppression by deconstructing social structures that perpetuate discriminatory ideals. “I can’t say I was horribly surprised because I feel like UF would hold onto those items, but the fact that I [have visited] that hall is kind of terrifying,” Urbenz said. In response to critiques on UF’s vast holding of ancestral remains, Catherine Smith, who is the Florida Museum’s NAGPRA coordinator, said the Florida Museum was established in 1917 largely to receive cultural heritage and archaeological material. However, Smith is looking forward to assisting the university in its efforts to comply with NAGPRA. “The intention with these returns is to acknowledge and honor indigenous peoples whose lives were radically changed, but also to honor the sovereignty of the tribal nations with-

Protest petition B&R, from pg. 1

This isn’t the first time Bread & Roses protests have come to the City Commission’s attention. In October 2012, then-commissioner Lauren Poe brought a referral to the commission asking the city attorney and the Gainesville Police Department to research the need for buffer zones around women’s medical clinics. Then-Police Chief Tony Jones’ answering report stated the last recorded physical disturbance at any Gainesville abortion clinic had occurred seven years prior. Jones’ research also showed buffer zones historically encourage pro-life individuals to taunt police into making arrests ending in long legal battles. Based on little evidence of disturbance outside Gainesville clinics, he recommended the committee stop moving forward with the idea. Stephanie Marchman, the then-city attorney, also discouraged the referral. In her March 2013 report, she pointed out there are already laws stopping protestors from disturbing neighborhood peace — including Florida statutes against trespassing, stalking, and blocking sidewalks. Based on the police chief and city attorney’s testimony, Public Safety Committee members voted 3-0 to hold the item in the committee, and it never made it to the City Commission. Scholberg, a Gainesville resident since 2012, was one of a handful of pro-life protestors who spoke during committee discussions. He remembers the incident well, he said. “[Poe] was very pro-Bread & Roses, antifreedom,” Scholberg said. “You know, he re-

in the U.S. borders,” she said. The Florida Museum welcomed Smith as its first full-time NAGPRA coordinator in July 2022. The NAGPRA coordinator serves as the liaison between the museum, tribal nations, state and federal agencies and the national NAGPRA program to facilitate repatriation. Prior to Smith’s hiring, the university had returned several hundred ancestors taken from Citrus County in 2008. Data from the National Park Service reported that UF had also returned 12% of more than 3,000 associated funerary objects. Smith said in the past, items and ancestral remains that were more difficult to connect to a descendant nation were placed on a list regarding them as culturally unidentifiable, which meant they had no culturally affiliated present-day tribe. “Although that was not the legislative intent, it was a common interpretation among institutions to treat that list as, ‘We're telling you what we have, and you let us know when you're ready to discuss it,’” she said. The Florida Museum is also making efforts to redefine its cultural perspective of displayed burial items through renovations to the museum’s “South Florida People & Environments” exhibit. “A lot has changed in terms of science, and a lot has also changed in terms of indigenous history and how that is being communicated in a museum setting,” Florida Museum Director of Exhibits & Public Programs, Darcie MacMahon, said. The 6,050-square-foot exhibit at Powell Hall opened to the public in 2002 and is the museum’s second permanent exhibit, with displays

ally loved the idea of this kind of ordinance – shut down these nasty pro-lifers.” In 2019, Poe brought the issue to the commission again — this time as mayor. Commissioners agreed to restart the process of collecting data to show whether pro-life demonstrations were a barrier to abortion-seeking clients, he said. Once that evidence was built, there would be justification for creating a buffer zone, Poe said. He started the process after talking with Bread & Roses’ owners, he said. “There were some circumstances where people were in the road, and that creates a safety issue,” he said. “But — and I can only speak for myself — that wasn’t the primary concern. It was more about the safety and well-being of the clients using the facility.” The coronavirus pandemic began right after GPD began doing surveillance and collecting information necessary to defend the case in court, Poe said. Because of the pandemic, the City Commission couldn’t gather any photographic or numerical data to move forward with the issue, and it was abandoned for the second time. Then-Commissioner Adrian Hayes-Santos championed the issue alongside Poe. HayesSantos tried to curb anti-abortion protests after he worked as a volunteer for Bread & Roses and saw firsthand the impact of protestors on the clinic, he said. “People do have the right to protest, but they also can't interfere with people trying to access health care,” he said. Another resolution, proposed in 2022 as a response to the statewide 15- and six-week abortion bans, would ensure city resources not be spent investigating new abortion crimes and delegate such crimes as low priority for GPD, Hayes-Santos said. Like the buffer zone idea, the issue is still

that highlight a South Florida estuary and the cultural traditions of Native Americans. Having opened over 20 years ago, the exhibit has started to experience lighting and electrical system failures, which will also be addressed in the upcoming renovations. MacMahon said the proposed renovations were developed with the help of the Seminoles, a tribe indigenous to Florida for thousands of years. The renovated exhibit will include a storyline for a film theater and interpretive signage and graphics. The first phase of the project will be to renovate the infrastructure of the entryway, mangrove forest and the natural habitats gallery, MacMahon said. She will receive notice next summer on the status of a grant proposal submitted to the state that will be used to upgrade the first few galleries. MacMahon added that the museum will also work with the Seminoles on the next phase of planning for the rest of the exhibit hall. “The building and continuing relationship with Native people in Florida is really important to the museum and is actually a lot of fun,” MacMahon said. “We really enjoy stretching our imaginations and coming to the table with people who might look at the world differently.” The Tribal Historic Preservation Officer and Director of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Tina Osceola, said the nation is appreciative of UF’s demonstrated commitment to include the Seminole voice in the exhibition’s redesign. “It is the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s hope that we continue to enjoy a relationship based on respect and in-

sitting in the city attorney’s office, Hayes-Santos said. Hayes-Santos hopes there is enough support on today’s majority-progressive commission to move the buffer zone resolution forward now that the petition has pushed it back into the public conversation, he said. If the issue does come to the commission, Scholberg will speak at meetings, but he doesn’t think the resolution will ever pass, he said. “They could get 20,000 or 30,000 signatures, however many, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “I think that the city attorney would have the good sense just to say, ‘We're not doing this.’” Abortion protests in a post-Roe Florida

Clinic buffers have sparked contention for decades. But the overturn of Roe v. Wade reignited the issue — especially in Florida, which has become an access point for women seeking abortion in the South after bans in states like Alabama and Mississippi. In 2022, 6,708 people traveled to Florida from out of state for an abortion, a 38% increase from the previous year, according to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. In the months following the Dobbs decision, Clearwater passed a five-foot buffer zone ordinance around its Bread & Roses abortion clinic at a recommendation from the city’s police chief when protest activities created an unsafe situation for passing cars. Florida Preborn Rescue, a pro-life sidewalk counseling group, filed a lawsuit against the city in June. The buffer zone limits freedom of speech and — because the group is faithmotivated — freedom of religion, said Scott Mahurin, the nonprofit’s 49-year-old director. “Pro-lifers have every right to be on a public

Gabriella Aulisio // Alligator Staff

Statues of the Calusa Indians sit inside a hut as part of the “South Florida Peoples and Their Environment” exhibit at the Florida Museum of Natural History on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023. clusion of the Seminole voice at both the policy and practice levels of the University of Florida,” Osceola said. Seminole Tribal members, many of whom have passed, contributed to the design and voice of the original exhibit, and their descendants have been asked for their cultural perspectives, Osceola said. Osceola could not comment on the tribe’s work with UF under NAGPRA. “The Seminole Tribe of Florida is not currently discussing plans for the return of our ancestors [as] the topic is highly sensitive and is a sacred topic,” Osceola said. @vazquezjinelle jvazquez@alligator.org

sidewalk,” he said. “We don’t yell and scream at anybody … my team has never had any legal issues, no one’s ever called the police on them.” The buffer zone is also selectively enforced, he said. Clinic employees walk through the zone to guide clients to cars while shielding them from protesters with umbrellas. By contrast, if people from his group tried to take one step into the zone, they would get cited, he said. A judge shot down Florida Preborn Rescue’s lawsuit in a September hearing. The group filed to the appeals court in Atlanta in October, and is waiting to hear whether the zone will remain in place, Mahurin said. Scholberg, who is not part of an official group but gathers with the same pro-life associates most Tuesdays and Thursdays outside Bread & Roses, was cited $100 in July after a skirmish broke out between him and a clinic employee. Scholberg brought the citation to court with the help of the Catholic law firm Thomas More Society, and the charge was dropped before the hearing. Scholberg is hopeful the law will continue to come down in favor of the pro-life movement. His group has long faced public pushback — including one passerby who threw dog poop at the sidewalk where they stood — but Scholbert has no plans to stop his work, he said. “How can I face God when my life is over if I don’t do something?” he said. Neither the petition nor any buffer zone suggestion has come before the City Commission thus far, city of Gainesville spokesperson Rossana Passaniti said. @zoeythomas39 zthomas@alligator.org

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2023 www.alligator.org/section/the_avenue

ENTERTAINMENT

Alabama comedian speaks his truth at Gainesville church MICKEY BELL SHARES HIS MENTAL HEALTH JOURNEY AT WESTSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH By Jared Teitel Avenue Staff Writer

A decade ago, Mickey Bell, a 50-year-old comedian from Birmingham, Alabama, struggled to just get out of bed. Now, he tours all over the country cracking jokes and sharing stories from his past hoping to inspire his crowd with messages about mental health recovery. Bell did just that Nov. 10. At Westside Baptist Church, 10000 W. Newberry Road, he made his first ever appearance in Gainesville, opening for headlining act David Phelps, a 54-year-old gospel singersongwriter from Texas. At 7:30 p.m., Bell stood on stage, poking fun at senior citizens, celebrities, sports mascots and several denominations of Christianity. It was not until later Bell returned to the stage, this time on a more serious note. Vulnerable and emotional, he shared his past struggles with depression to hundreds of people, from youth to elderly. “I am going into the arenas

where it’s not talked about,” Bell said. “Most of the time, it is frowned upon to talk about mental illness.” No matter how taboo the topic, Bell never performs a show without addressing the issue of mental illness. Once battling his own will to live, he said he wants no audience member of his to hit the same rock bottom he did. About six years prior to pursuing a full-time career as a stand-up comedian, Bell devoted his life to religious work as a church pastor. After making a “moral fall,” he said, he was excommunicated from his pastor’s house and the church. “That’s the moment I gave up on everything,” he said. “I gave up on myself. I didn’t want to live anymore.” Hurt, angry and embarrassed, he said he could not bring himself around people, which caused pain within himself and his family. After years of seeking help with professional counseling, Bell finally mustered up the motivation to start life on a new leaf. He pursued a short stint as a radio host in Birmingham before being let go, a moment he would not let “trigger everything he fought through.” “I was strong enough to embrace it and applied everything I

had learned,” he said. After emceeing some events held by friends, Bell opened the door to a career in comedy. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, he received regular coaching from L.A.-based comedians on Zoom. He raised his aspirations quickly, taking to local stages as a standup comic. It wasn’t enough, he said. There was something missing. “I wanted my shows to be more than ‘I’m just gonna laugh and go home,’” he said. “I wanted to make an impact on people’s lives.” Slowly but surely, he started incorporating his personal story about his struggle with mental illness into his shows, discovering a myriad of people with similar experiences. “I would get home, and my social media inbox would be full of people reaching out [saying], ‘I need help,’” he said. And he was determined to help his fans find what they were looking for. In the comfort of his home, he took to a piece of paper, writing messages racing through his mind. “I feel like I’m invisible, I feel like no one understands me,” he wrote. “Sometimes I feel like I could take my own life, and nobody would miss me.” These thoughts culminated into

a self-help book entitled “Reverse the Course of Depression,” which he has sold at shows and on Amazon. “If I can stand in front of people, make them laugh, tear down that wall, give them a safe place to come and…leave encouraged,” he said, “that’s worth it to me.” One audience member Bell touched was Adam Langston, a 38-year-old pastor at Westside Baptist Church. Growing up with friends who have struggled with depression and anxiety, he said he has witnessed their impacts. “More of that needs to be shared,” he said about Bell’s words to the crowd. There is no one who resonates with Bell’s story more than his own daughter. Logan Bell Venable, a 24-year-old road manager of Bell, was just 13 years old when she witnessed her father at his darkest points. “It was really hard during that time seeing him have to go through it,” she said, “but also having to live with it myself as a kid.” As present as she was at his worst, she was also there to witness his rise to recovery, now booking Bell’s shows and watching him do the thing he loves most while saving so many people.

Evelyn Miguel // Alligator Staff

Comedian Mickey Bell shares his story about his struggle with mental health during his set at Westside Baptist Church on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023.

“His whole life he had hardships,” she said, “but he never let it make him give up.” @jaredteitel jteitel@alligator.org

MUSIC

Elvie Shane plays new single at Vivid Music Hall THE KENTUCKY-BORN SINGER OPENED FOR KAMERON MARLOWE NOV. 10

By Bea Lunardini Avenue Staff Writer

If there really is no rest for the weary, then count Elvie Shane among the weariest of all. The 35-year-old singer-songwriter, who first rose to fame on American Idol in 2016, has released six EPs in 2023 alone, and he has no intention of slowing down now. Shane is touring across the United States with fellow country music star Kameron Marlowe, who also got his start in a singing competition, The Voice. Shane has brought his raspy voice and guitar twang to countless venues, the latest of which was Nov. 10 at Vivid Music Hall in the heart of downtown Gainesville. Shane played a selection from his discography, including his newest release, “Pill.” He opened his performance with “Country

Roads,” a rock anthem that thumped through the dark wooden floors at Vivid. Shane’s first strums on his glossy black electric guitar seemed to awaken the crowd. Audience members turned to their friends excitedly, grabbing each other and jumping to the beat. One of the concertgoers singing along to “Country Roads” was Amaya Miller, an 18-year-old Gainesville resident and the city’s self-proclaimed country queen. “I love country music so much, it’s one of the most important things in my life,” Miller said. “Not only that, but I’m a huge Elvie Shane fan.” Miller has been following Shane since his appearance on American Idol and bought tickets for the Nov. 10 show 10 minutes after they went on sale. “When his audition video was first posted on YouTube, I swear, I probably watched it 10 times a day,” Miller said. “I saw that he was going to be opening for Kameron Marlowe here at Vivid and I knew I had to be here no matter the price.”

Keep up with the Avenue on Twitter. Tweet us @TheFloridaAve.

As Miller danced on the floor in front of the stage, Shane switched gears and launched into his newest song, a moody ballad called “Pill.” Released in September, “Pill” tells a tale of the opioid crisis in the rural U.S. Shane’s hometown, Grayson County, was ranked in the top 5% of U.S. counties at risk of opioid abuse and outbreaks of HIV and Hepatitis C. The song’s premiere in September was different from the rest of Shane’s songs. The high-production music video was posted to YouTube along with a minute-long acoustic version overlaid with statistics about the opioid epidemic. Shane channeled the latter video on stage at Vivid, sending his band off the stage and pulling a three-legged wooden stool up to his microphone. Swapping his electric guitar out for a light brown Yamaha wallpapered in stickers, Shane sang as the audience raised phone flashlights one by one and swayed in unison. Faith Barber, a Vivid Music Hall employee, felt goosebumps as the crowd sang along. “I’ve never seen Vivid so focused on a sin-

gle person like that before,” Barber said after the concert. “Hundreds of artists have played this stage, but that may have been the most powerful show yet.” Shane has crisscrossed the U.S. touring his songs since the beginning of this year, including a tribute to his country roots at the MidAmerican Trucking Show in March. One of his favorite shows to date, the show gave him the opportunity to proudly claim his roots. “My dad’s been a truck driver all my life,” Shane said. “Truck drivers and the truck driving industry have a special place in my heart.” Shane’s music is mostly country, with tinges of rock and soul mixed in, but the one feature common to every song is heart. Whether he’s rocking a venue of ten people or 10,000, Shane injects every word he sings with a passion that can win over even the most staunch country music hater. @bealunardini blunardi@alligator.org

Opinion

Land acknowledgment at UF. Read more on pg. 8. Scan to follow the Avenue on Spotify

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2023 www.alligator.org/section/opinions

Column

Governed from afar: Our new administrators and the Board of Trustees

F has gained new administrators straight from Ben Sasse’s dreams and our nightmares. They include Raymond Sass and James Wegmann, vice president of innovation and partnerships and vice president for communications, respectively. Unsurprisingly, they were former staffers who kicked it with Sasse when he was in D.C. They do not intend to live in Florida. We seem to be starting a trend of campus cronyism, as the Orlando Sentinel described it, now from afar. “Cronyism is flourishing in Florida,” as its editorial board put it. It is not Sasse’s buddies, but Penny Schwinn as well, the vice president for pre-K-12 and pre-bachelors programs. She’ll be directing cooperation with Florida school districts from Tennessee. You know, the state that’s one whole Georgia away. We don’t even get the kind of cronyism where you can protest outside an official’s office, because they will be in D.C. and Maryland. They may occasionally come down for their several hundred-thousand dollar jobs to bless us with a visit, gracing us plebeians in Florida. We’re so lucky. This type of cronyism mixed with inaccessible leaders isn’t something Sasse pioneered. It is a long-standing problem of our Board of Trustees as well. Looking through the bios of our current trustees, most live all over Florida, excluding Rahul Patel who lives in Atlanta, Georgia. He was also chair of the committee that selected Sasse — the man who brought Sasse in isn’t even a Floridian. None, it appears, live in Gainesville — they tend to only come for the board meetings once every few months. So that is the distance, but what about cronyism? For that, we turn to political donations.

Mori Hosseini, the Board’s chair, has given over $460,000 to GOP-aligned groups and candidates, including thousands toward Gov. Ron DeSantis. He is very close to DeSantis, to whom he has loaned his personal jet for the presidential wannabe as well as a golf simulator. Richard Cole, an attorney, has given tens to hundreds of thousands toward Rick Scott, DeSantis, and Marco Rubio, per Ronin Lupien the Federal Elections Commission. opinions@alligator.org Christopher Corr has given thousands to a company PAC, “Rayonier, Inc. Good Government Committee,” which has been spent toward GOP congressional candidates. James Heavener has given thousands to nearly every state Republican Party. He has given nearly $1.2 million to GOP causes over the last 18 years. Anita Zucker has given nearly a quarter of a million to Republicans. I could go on, but you get the point. The combined board has given nearly $3.1 million to GOP recipients, according to Follow The Money. If that isn’t textbook cronyism, I do not know what is. Overall, it is disappointing but expected that Sasse continued this trend. I guess if nothing else, these distant administrators are embodying the spirit of commuter students. Maybe Sasse is simply more like the board that unanimously selected him than might be immediately obvious. Hosseini and the gang simply could not wait to sweep him out of Congress since they felt a kindred spirit. Ronin Lupien is a UF biomedical engineering senior.

Life after college: What do I do now? I Column

t’s getting harder to believe that I’ll graduate next year. What do I do after all of this? Maybe I’ll become a corporate sell-out, maybe I’ll land a remote job and backpack around Europe or maybe I’ll just move back in with my parents. I’m spoiled for choice and lost in trying to figure out who I am and who I want to be. Do I need to prioritize a realistic life or should I take a chance, go against the norm and live the life that I know I’ll value most? I want to be able to share stories and be proud of everything I’ve done in my lifetime. Am I just being young and naive to think I need to do everything while I still can? Post-grad is really where it becomes apparent that our education, dreams and the practical world collide. I’ve noticed that knowing what we don’t want is the first step toward knowing what we do want. This involves exploring different job opportunities to discover what feels right. It’s a process of trial and error, a way to understand what truly aligns with our passions and strengths, as well as the things that don’t quite match our goals. Take the time to try out different roles or internships that align with your passions. This will provide you with firsthand experience and insights into different industries, helping you make informed decisions about your future career. One of the most important things to think about is what success means to you. Who do you want to be when you’re 65 years old, but also, where do you want to be? Success is such a subjective concept, largely shaped by

our unique experiences and perspectives. To shape your definition, it’s essential to think about your values, passions and goals. Consider what specific achievements or milestones would truly fulfill and satisfy you. Success isn’t just about wealth or status; it’s about fulfilling your biggest desires. When you truly understand what success means to you, you can set meaningful goals and make decisions that align with your vision for the future. Your experiences and perspectives define your success, and this will evolve as you grow. It’s crucial to find personal fulfillment — the real key to success. Balancing your dreams with practicality is doable, but make sure to choose a path that matches your aspirations while considering life’s realities. Taking risks can lead to fantastic experiences and growth! Success means different things to different people, so shape your definition instead of following expectations. Living authentically often leads to more fulfilling experiences. It’s common to feel a rush to achieve everything while young. While our youth comes with once in a lifetime opportunities, I need to remind myself that life is a series of chapters. Some dreams can and will have to wait, and that’s perfectly fine. Adopting this perspective can lead to a more fulfilling journey. As you move through life’s different phases, you’ll gain valuable experiences and wisdom, forming the core of your narrative, and influencing who you are and where

you’re going. Be present in every moment. Know that each step contributes to your ultimate story of success and happiness. There’s no strict timeline for achieving your dreams — what matters most is Mia Orris how earnestly you pursue them opinions@alligator.org when the time feels right for you. If you’re inclined toward a secure traditional career, it can be just as rewarding. Many find contentment in growing expertise and climbing the corporate ladder. However, if adventure and following your passions are your calling, don’t be scared to go into the unconventional. The key is to find a balance between dreams and life’s practicalities. Consider your financial needs, your willingness to take risks and your need for stability. Explore various job opportunities to gain a better understanding of your interests and skills. Finding a balance between dreams and practicalities is a continuous process. It may require some trial and error, but by considering these factors and taking proactive steps toward exploring your options, you can make confident choices that align with both your aspirations and the realities of life. Mia Orris is a UF psychology junior.

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Release Date: Monday, November 13, 2023 Release Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Los Puzzle Los Angeles Angeles Times Times Daily Daily Crossword Crossword Puzzle Edited Lewis Editedby byPatti Patti Varol Varol and and Joyce Joyce Nichols Nichols Lewis

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MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators flash promise, room to grow in first week of basketball season FLORIDA 1-1 AFTER A 73-70 LOSS TO VIRGINIA By Topher Adams Sports Writer

Virginia guard Reece Beekman, leading the vaunted Cavaliers’ pack line defense, forced Florida junior guard Walter Clayton Jr. into a turnover with hardly any time left to play. As Beekman took his final free throw, the Gators could only watch and think of what could’ve been. Despite the loss, UF showed plenty of promise in its first two games of the 2023-2024 college basketball season. Florida (1-1) defeated the Loyola Maryland Greyhounds before falling to the Virginia Cavaliers in the Hall of Series in the first week of the college basketball season. Second-year head coach Todd Golden was happy with the way his team fought against the Cavaliers and remains optimistic moving forward. “We went down 11 and that was another moment — ‘What are we going to be made of?’ — and we came back with a 12-0 run to take the lead,” Golden said after the loss. “Super disappointed that we lost, but I’m confident in this team and really excited for the rest of our season.” UF’s offense struggled to make plays against Virginia in the loss. The Gators shot just 28% from 3-point range and 40% from the field. Florida also couldn’t hold

on to the ball, with 16 turnovers leading to 11 Cavalier points. Some of those offensive issues stemmed from a difficult game from Clayton and star sophomore guard Riley Kugel. Clayton shot 2-10 from the field — 0-5 from three — and turned the ball over five times, including on the final possession. Kugel struggled early, and he shot just 36.8% from the floor for the game. However, the preseason All-SEC guard took over down the stretch. He used his impressive athleticism to get to the rim and finished with a team-high of 17 points. Golden praised both of his guards’ resilience, even if the performance wasn’t up to their usual standard. “Riley and Walt played 35 [minutes] each,” Golden said. “They didn’t have their best games, but I thought they stepped up in the second half.” Florida will get a huge boost in the backcourt with the return of graduate student guard Zyon Pullin. The UC Riverside transfer was suspended for the first three games of the season, but he’ll be available when the Gators face Florida State Nov. 17. “When ZP [Zyon Pullin] gets back next week, it’s going to take a little pressure off the rest of our backcourt and allow him to take some of those minutes and allow those guys to rest a little bit,” Golden said. While the backcourt rounds into form, Florida’s size in the

Gabriela Aullisio // Alligator Staff

Sophomore guard Riley Kugel dunks the ball in the Gators' 93-73 win against the Loyola Maryland Greyhounds on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. frontcourt is flashing potential. In UF’s 93-73 win over Loyola Nov. 6, freshman forward Alex Condon, sophomore center Micah Handlogten and graduate student big man Tyrese Samuel combined for 44 points and 17 rebounds. Handlogten, in particular, was impressive. The Marshall transfer was touted for his defensive presence before the season, and he’s delivered with 20 rebounds, three blocks and two steals through two games. His offensive prowess wasn’t expected, however. Handlogten scored 30 total points to start the season, using his 7-foot-1-inch frame inside to score in the paint and flashing the ability to hit an

open three-point jump shot. Florida will need to clean up several aspects of the team before heading into the meat of non-conference play. Perhaps the early achilles heel has come at the free throw line. The Gators shot just 15-30 from the charity stripe against the Greyhounds. “We struggled a little bit that way in the scrimmages,” Golden said Nov. 6. “This team will get to the line more … I think we have more opportunities to finish at the rim and we got to take advantage of those moments better than we did tonight.” Florida already showed improvement from game one to two, hitting 11 of 15 free throws in the

loss to Virginia. The Gators will host a pair of in-state opponents in the second week of the season. Florida A&M will visit the Stephen C. O’Connell Center Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. before the FSU Seminoles come to Gainesville Nov. 17. The showdown with FSU will be a double-header with the women’s basketball teams. The women’s teams will face off at 4 p.m. before the men’s teams face off at 7 p.m. The women’s game will be broadcast on SEC Network+, and the men’s game will be on the SEC Network. @Topher_Adams tadams@alligator.org

FOOTBALL

Florida in freefall after LSU loss The Gators lost their third straight game to fall to .500 By Jackson Reyes Sports Writer

BATON ROUGE, La. — The Gators are moving in an opposite direction after a promising start to the season. Florida sat at 5-2 heading into an Oct. 28 matchup with the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs. The matchup resulted in a 20-point drubbing in Jacksonville. Next, the Gators returned home and lost in overtime to an Arkansas

team that was 0-5 in the SEC heading into the game. Already licking its wounds, UF headed to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to take on the rival then-No. 18 LSU Tigers. Florida competed in the offensive shootout for as long as it could, but LSU quarterback Jayden Daniel’s Heisman moment ended in the Gators’ third straight loss. The Gators (5-5, 3-4 SEC) lost 52-35 against the Tigers (7-3, 5-2 SEC) in Tiger Stadium Nov.

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11. Daniels ran for 241 yards and passed for another 372, making him the first SEC quarterback since Johnny Manziel to have more than 200 yards passing and rushing the ball in a game. Florida surrendered 701 yards of offense against LSU, a new program record. The Gators’ failure to contain Daniels doomed them in a game where the UF offense needed to keep up with the Bayou Bengals.

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Florida head coach Billy Napier emphasized the growing pains defensively with the number of true freshmen and young players getting significant playing time. “We’re probably playing more young players than anybody in America,” Napier said. “There’s some issues that come with that.” The direction the Gators go from here is unclear. With No. 11 Missouri and undefeated No. 4 Florida State on the horizon, Florida has a real chance of finishing the season on a five-game losing streak and going 5-7. “We have to be relentless in finding an edge, relentless in seeking improvement, right, and taking experience and learning

For updates on UF athletics, follow us on Twitter at @alligatorSports or online at www.alligator.org/section/sports.

SEE FOOTBALL, PAGE 12

12 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2023

Tigers topple Gators FOOTBALL, from pg. 11

and growing from that, knowing that there’s going to be other opportunities,” Napier said. If UF were to finish with a losing record for the third season in a row, it would be the first time since Florida achieved three consecutive losing seasons since 1945-1947. The Gators can end their season on a high note with a win against either Missouri or the rival Seminoles to secure bowl eligibility and end the season with a signature win over a top-ranked team. However, that is easier said than done. The Gators' defense will have to fix itself quickly. Florida surrendered at least 35 points or more in its last four games. Opposing offenses are getting almost whatever they want against UF, and the bleeding doesn’t appear to be ending any time soon. Florida’s offense has worked to keep the team in games. But even UF’s 488 yards of total offense wasn’t enough to stave off a double-digit loss to LSU. To make matters worse for a reeling Florida program, the team’s 2024 recruiting class — UF’s beacon of hope — took a hit. During the game, edge rusher Jamonta Waller, a top 100 fourstar, announced on Twitter that

he flipped his commitment from UF to Auburn. Florida may be in freefall, but there is still time to save the season. An upset win over a topranked team to secure a bowl game would be big in year two of Napier. The Gators stumbled in recruiting after Waller flipped, but there are still prized players who are uncommitted. The Gators' path to getting back where they can compete with the elite in the SEC is still possible, but with each loss, the team feels further from the program that was once a perennial contender under Urban Meyer. Many great college football programs have been lost in the wilderness before turning things around. FSU suffered several losing seasons, including two under current head coach Mike Norvell. The Noles have righted the ship, however, and after a 10-win season last year, are currently 10-0 and look poised for the College Football Playoff. On the flip side, programs like Southern California and Miami have seen glimpses of success but have failed to regain the prominence the two programs held when they were annual contenders in the early 2000s. The Gators will need to decide which path they want to take soon. Patience is needed when

Jackson Reyes // Alligator Staff

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels sits in the pocket while offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr. stands up UF edge rusher Princely Umanmielen in Florida’s 52-35 loss to the LSU Tigers on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. relying on recruits a head coach brings in to be the difference makers. But in the top-heavy SEC, too many, though, can set a program back to the middle of the pack. “We have work to do, OK, and we’re up for the challenge,” Napier said. “For us to go where we

want to go here, as an organization, as a program, as a team, every single part of our organization is going to have to work their tail off.” Florida will stay on the road and head to Columbia, Missouri, to take on Missouri in its next

game. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. and be broadcast on ESPN. @JacksnReyes jacksonreyes@alligator.org