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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2022
VOLUME 116 ISSUE 23 Not officially associated with the University of Florida
Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida
Proposed law could keep UF’s presidential search under wraps
Bill would exempt search from public record laws until 21 days before a decision By Elena Barrera Alligator Staff Writer
Alan Halaly // Alligator Staff
Evangelist Cindy Lasseter Smock, better known as "Sister Cindy" to her more than 360,000 TikTok followers, speaks to a crowd of over 500 students at Plaza of the Americas on Monday, Feb. 7. Smock is a UF alumna who travels to college campuses across the U.S. to proselytize. Read this story on page 8.
‘Our truth is within our hair’: Falling in love with natural hair in Gainesville UF BLACK HAIR EXPO SHOWCASES BEAUTY OF NATURAL HAIR
By Eileen Calub Alligator Staff Writer
As a child, Christina Demps sat on the floor of her parents’ bedroom, her head tipped back as her mother intricately braided her hair. When they could, they sat together on Sundays and prepared Demps’ hair for the next morning. But as Demps grew older, it became harder to find time. “My mom was going to work
around 7 or 8 in the morning and my dad wasn’t doing my hair, so I relaxed it because it was the convenient thing to do,” Demps said. As a 22-year-old health education and behavior senior, Demps has come to fall in love with her natural hair while at UF, she said. “When I went home for winter break in freshman year, I cut off all the dead hair,” Demps said. “Now I love being able to wear my hair in twists, the wash-andgo, or I can wear my puffs or my slick-back bun. I don’t see myself going back to that relaxed state.” Through collaboration, Black
campus leaders like Demps curated the 2022 Dr. Hilliard-Nunn Black Hair Expo, which gives students the opportunity to learn about and celebrate natural hair Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. in Pugh Hall. As some students share the educational opportunities the Black Hair Expo brings, a master loctician discusses how Gainesville residents with natural hair can benefit from going to trustworthy and experienced stylists. The UF Black Hair Expo is a spin-off of the Black Hair Show. The late Dr. Patricia Hilliard-
SEE NATURAL HAIR, PAGE 4
The search for UF’s next president could be affected by a bill that would prohibit part of the appointment process from being accessible to the public. UF expects to start looking for a new president in March, UF spokesperson Hessy Fernandez wrote in an email. The search has been kept under wraps so far, and SB 520/HB 703 would keep it that way. UF President Kent Fuchs announced his resignation Jan. 5 in a campus-wide email and video message. He will remain in his presidential role for the remainder of the year until a new president is appointed. Meanwhile, Florida’s senators and representatives have filed SB 520 and HB 703, which would delay the release of any information identifying a university’s presidential applicant, including meeting recordings that would disclose such information if obtained through a public records request. “I think [the bill] will be exceptionally positive for the Florida university systems,” said Florida Senator Jeff Brandes (R), sponsor of SB 520. “You are going to get a broader pool of applicants. ; Yyou are going to get better applicants who now can apply without fear their previous employer will know.” Brandes believes the bill will provide more transparency. He said the current process is run largely
SPORTS/SPECIAL/CUTOUT
International markets, sushi, pool dates await couples
Gators road trip to Lexington ends in 21-point failure, pg. 16
Gator Party, Change Party released tickets
Kentucky demolishes in awaypg# game Story description finishGators with comma,
Pick your perfect Valentine’s Day date with The Avenue’s recommendations, pg. 14
Student Government executive candidates for Feb. 22, 23 election, pg. 6
by firms who ask applicants to not apply until they reach the final candidates. Presidential searches at most state universities around the country are not subject to public records law, Brandes said. Florida has one of the broadest public records law in the country, and this bill would allow universities to pull from the best applicants in the nation, he said. There will be a 21-day period after finalists are selected when the faculty senate and the student leadership can meet with the potential candidates and help the board make an informed decision, he said. But even with this period, some representatives find the bill to be an unnecessary lack of transparency. “I don’t see a reason to put this all behind closed doors,” said Florida Rep. Evan Jenne (D). Jenne will be voting against the bill’s new proposal. However, he said he voted in favor of its past variations. The bill has been debated each year for at least five years, he said. The last time there was a presidential appointment, accomplished candidates — some from Ivy League schools — were selected, Jenne said. The search for UF’s next president is occurring alongside the state’s gubernatorial election, which complicates things as politicians continue to step over the line and enter academia to politically influence the way students are
SEE PRESIDENT, PAGE 4
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