Monday, May 16, 2022

Page 1

www.alligator.org

We Inform. You Decide.

VOLUME 116 ISSUE 33

MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

Not officially associated with the University of Florida

Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida

Fort Clarke student arrested after bringing loaded gun to school SOME PARENTS EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THE SCHOOL’S HANDLING OF THE INCIDENT

By Omar Ateyah Alligator Staff Writer

A Fort Clarke middle schooler was arrested after he brought a loaded gun to campus Friday. Jaylan Hillman, a Gainesville resident, stole a handgun from his mother before bringing it to school, according to an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office press release. The 15-year-old was taken to the Juvenile Detention Center and charged with theft and possession at school. Jackie Johnson, Alachua County Public Schools’ spokesperson, said he was isolated and in law enforcement’s custody as soon as the weapon was found. At least two parents said the school received prior warning of potential violence on campus. Three of Lurenzo Murray’s children attend Fort Clarke. He said his 14-year-old daughter, Makenna Murray, overheard a conversation between classmates on Thursday about a potential shooting. Makenna, an eighth grader, decided to report the matter immediately. Although Murray was originally skeptical of what his daughter told him, he now believes the school fell short in mitigating the threat. “When I see on Facebook this gun was actually taken and it was loaded and ready, I just think everything failed,” he said. “I think the school system had failed on that threat.” Olaolu Ogunlano said his sixth-grade son voiced concerns to him April 6 about a potential shooting. Ogunlano said his child heard from a friend that two students were planning on carrying out a school shooting. He said they had a list of people to target and intended to carry out the crime before the end of the academic year. Ogunlano said he reached out to the father of the friend, Fort Clarke’s Dean Daniel Lathem and Assistant Principal Brad Hutchinson. Hutchinson told him the issue was linked to a dispute over a video game. Ogunlano said he will not be sending his son back to Fort Clarke because of the incident. “I appreciate the fact that they did catch it before it happened, but, at the same time, I don’t appreciate the fact that they were just so nonchalant about it,” he said. Johnson said incidents like Friday generally result in a recommendation for expulsion. She declined to comment on details pertaining to Hillman’s case. Every case is looked at individually, and factors such as disability determine what repercussions would look like, she said. In response to parents’ concerns, Johnson said ACPS takes such threats seriously and immediately performs a threat assessment. @OAteyah oateyah@alligator.org

SPORTS/SPECIAL/CUTOUT Gators baseball wins series over Mizzou

Story description finish with comma, pg# Florida secured its third straight conference series win. Read more on pg. 12.

More than 600 Gainesville citizens join nationwide ‘Ban off our Bodies’ rallies on Saturday, May 14th, at the 6th St. and 2nd Ave. intersection. Read more on page 5. Anna Ward // Alligator Staff

'Stop WOKE Act' creates academic freedom concerns among UF students and professors Gov. Ron DeSantis’ law will limit race discussion starting Aug. 1 By Anushka Dakshit Alligator Staff Writer

The UF community fears discussions about race in classrooms across Florida universities may be stunted come Fall. On Aug. 1, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ law limiting how race is discussed in workplaces and classrooms — known as the “Stop WOKE Act” — will go into effect. UF students and professors find it difficult to see a future where critical thinking and academic freedom can still be practiced. The WOKE Act’s purpose, according to a news release from DeSantis’ staff April 22, is to take on “corporate wokeness and Critical Race Theory.” The bill mandates revising required instruction on the history of African Americans and is meant to protect people from the “far-left woke agenda,” according to DeSantis. The bill exists to deter professors from

teaching students about race in a way that would make any particular group feel like they carry responsibility for the past, saying that it is discrimination. UF’s faculty and staff received a recorded presentation the first week of May about how to stay within the law’s jurisdictions. President Kent Fuchs encouraged viewers to be objective educators, and the first slide cautioned that UF will face financial penalties for violating the WOKE act. But to understand Florida history, people have to understand race, said Steven Noll, an instructional professor in UF’s history department. “I thought the bill was an infringement upon academic freedom,” Noll said. “The notion of what objectivity is, particularly regarding race, is really kind of problematic.” Talking about power dynamics among different races throughout history is neces-

New Florida food provider

Chartwells set to take over UF dining management contract July 1 to mixed reactions, pg. 2

sary and isn’t meant to make white people out as evil, Noll said. He said it’s important to consider that students didn’t have a say in what they thought about the bill before it was passed. “They are not just empty receptacles,” he said. “They are active participants in the learning process.” Noll said he will not be changing the books he uses to teach or the way that he teaches. “I used to say, probably my job in my class is to make you feel uncomfortable,” Noll said. “Whether you are a rock-ribbed conservative or some flaming liberal, I want you to think about why you're that way.” Kavya Sarin, a 20-year-old senior majoring in biology and women’s studies, said she was concerned the bill was signed in the first place.

SEE HB 7, PAGE 4

FOLLOW US ONLINE FOR UPDATES

Baby formula shortage

Gainesville moms struggle to find baby formula after major callbacks, pg. 5

@FloridaAlligator

@TheAlligator_

@TheAlligator @thefloridaalligator


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
Monday, May 16, 2022 by The Independent Florida Alligator - Issuu