Wednesday, August 17

Emma Hayakawa // Alligator Staff

2 ALLIGATOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022

Weather except Voting Today’s for dummies, you’re a top five student EVERYTHING STUDENTS NEED TO KNOW TO VOTE THIS FALL

By Mickenzie Hannon Alligator Staff Writer

Voting: it’s free, and it’s pretty easy.

Going to the polls is the foundation of our democracy and a right people in other countries sometimes don't get, said Teresa Cornacchione, the civic engagement coordinator for the Bob Graham Center for Public Service.

Voting is not a test of how knowledgeable one is about politics, Cornacchione said.

“It's simply a way for you to express your dissatisfaction or your satisfaction with what's going on in our country and in our community,” she said.

Once students move to Gainesville, they must choose whether they want to change their registration information to vote in local elections or remain registered in their hometowns.

Voter Registration

Interested voters must be American citizens who are at least 18 years old to register or 16 years old to preregister in the area they plan to vote. Eligible voters need a driver’s license or state-issued ID card and the last four digits of their Social Security number to register online through TurboVote or in-person at the Bob Graham Center, a registered thirdparty voting organization at UF.

2. In-Person Registration

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alligator.org/calendar 3. Mail-in Voting

If a student chooses to vote in their hometown elections, they can request a mail-in ballot from their Supervisor of Elections Office. Because voting by mail differs for each county, students should research the requirements for the area in which they are planning to vote.

Events

The Bob Graham Center hosts events throughout the year to encourage and register students to vote. The center will host events to welcome and register students Aug. 31, Sept. 15 and during Homecoming Week Oct. 3-7.

Students can vote in one local election: either Gainesville’s or their hometown’s.

2. Election Day Voting

Voters who choose to vote on primary and general election days are required to vote at their designated precinct location. Students living oncampus use the Reitz Union.

Aug. 13: Early voting period opens and deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the Primary Election Aug. 20: Final day to vote early in the Primary Election Aug. 23: Primary Election Oct. 29: Early voting period opens and deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the General Election Nov. 5: Final day to vote early in the General Election Nov. 8: General Election

UF’s voter landscape is unique because the campus brings people from all over the place, said Andrew Taramykin, a 20-year-old UF political science and economics junior who helps coordinate the Gator Get-Outthe-Vote Coalition. He recommended students create a personal voter plan: when, where and how they will vote.

“Voting in a jurisdiction that isn't necessarily familiar to them,” Taramykin said. “With those additional barriers in place, students really do have to think ahead to make sure they can participate.”

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During the early voting period for primary and general elections, voters can vote at any county precinct location, including the J. Wayne Reitz Union, the Supervisor of Elections Office, Millhopper Branch Library, Tower Road Branch Library, Orange Heights Baptist Church, Legacy Park Multipurpose Center and Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center.

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Students can visit the Bob Graham Center, located on the second floor of Pugh Hall, to register to vote in person. Staff are equipped to assist students and are legally allowed to collect and turn registration forms into a student’s Supervisor of Elections Office.

Voters can check their registration status online at vote. org or use TurboVote’s app to update information, including party affiliation and residency.

One of the biggest mistakes students make when voting is not knowing their address, Cornacchione said. Students living on campus should use their residence hall mailing address if they want to vote in Gainesville and Alachua County elections. Students who choose to vote in their local home elections would use their home address.

If a student is registered as a Florida voter, they can still update their voter information during the early voting period, which is Aug. 1320 for primary elections and Oct. 29Nov. 5 for general elections.

Because Florida is a closed primary state, to vote in primary elections, voters needed to register as a Democrat, Republican or Independent by July 25.

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Regardless of a student’s in- or out-of-state status, all students can register to vote or update voter registration information through the free TurboVote registration app.

Once students enter housing information, they will be linked to the appropriate Supervisor of Elections Office to register to vote. From there, students print, complete and turn in the registration form to the corresponding office.

Using TurboVote also enrolls voters in a reminder service that provides important voting dates, voting location information and election policies. It also helps the center track data on voters within the student body.

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4 ALLIGATOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022

UF Board of Trustees fires longtime Honors Program director allegedly with no reasoning UF HASN’T DISCUSSED HIS TERMINATION IN DETAIL

By Christian Casale Alligator Staff Writer

The UF Board of Trustees has terminated the Honors Program director effective Monday with little public explanation, he announced in an email.

Mark Law sent the email Monday morning to Honors students, writing he was made aware of the decision around a month ago.

“I haven’t been provided a reason for [The Board of Trustees’] action,” Law wrote in his email to Honors students and staff. “I’m bitterly disappointed by the Board’s decision.”

Law wrote in the email he was led to believe he was “doing a good job” by administrators, adding he never received a negative performance evaluation. He told The Alligator that Angela Lind-

ner, associate provost for undergraduate affairs and his supervisor, wasn’t given a reason for his termination either.

He was surprised by the decision because of the lack of notice or documentation, he said.

“I’ve been an administrator on campus for a long time, and typically when you have a problem with an employee, you document it before you fire them,” Law said.

Law began his time as the director of the honors program in 2014. He has been a UF professor since 1988, and was the associate dean for academic affairs from 2009 to 2014.

Melissa Johnson, who previously served as the senior associate director of the program, will become interim director. Law wrote in his email he would assist all he could during the transition.

UF spokesperson Florida Bridgewater-Alford confirmed Law’s firing and his replacement by Johnson in a statement to The Alligator Monday evening. Bridgewater-Alford wrote that “the uni-

versity will not comment further on personnel matters.”

On Tuesday afternoon, UF Provost Joe Glover took responsibility for Law’s termination in a statement to The Alligator.

“The University of Florida Board of Trustees lost confidence in Dr. Mark Law’s leadership as director of UF’s Honors Program,” Glover wrote. “But the decision to remove him from that position was mine and I stand by it.”

The Alligator was informed that Glover would not be available for an interview.

A tenured professor in the College of Engineering, Law said he plans to return to UF to teach after a sabbatical.

“I’m not sure exactly what it’s going to look like, but I’ll go back to being an engineering professor,” Law said. @vanityhack ccasale@alligator.org

Meet the mayoral candidates for the Gainesville primary election THE THREE FRONTRUNNERS BASED ON CAMPAIGN FINANCES DISCUSS THE UPCOMING RACE

By Mickenzie Hannon Alligator Staff Writer

Nine mayoral candidates — including David Arreola, Ed Bielarski, Ansaun Fisher, Gary Gordon, Adam Rosenthal, Donald Shepherd, July Thomas and Harvey Ward — are on the ballot in the upcoming primary election.

On the campaign trail, they’ve focused on issues such as affordable housing, Gainesville Regional Utilities rates and climate change. In The Alligator’s print round-up, the three frontrunners are included based off of campaign fundraising.

Voters can vote early in primary elections at any Alachua County precinct location until Aug. 20 or vote on primary day at their designated precinct Aug. 23.

Harvey Ward

Harvey Ward, who has served as the District 2 commissioner since 2017, is a lifelong Gainesville resident.

The 54-year-old said he worked as a fundraising consultant in the nonprofit community prior to serving on commission. His advocacy efforts extend to the arts community and homelessness.

Ward said he hopes to address the importance of tackling the national affordable housing crisis with a local response.

The commission has already allocated $8

million of American Rescue Plan funds to affordable housing, he said.

“We need to keep the pressure up on that to make sure that we deliver for our neighbors who need affordable housing with those funds,” Ward said.

Renewable energy is another issue Ward said will appear at the top of city agendas for decades. He wants to focus efforts toward making the city reliant on 100% affordable renewable energy.

While he said the commission has made progress with the Florida Department of Transportation, he still wants to emphasize more traffic safety initiatives after multiple recent pedestrian deaths on West University Avenue.

“I have an obligation to make sure that this town thrives and that the people who live here have a great city to live in,” Ward said.

Edward Bielarski

Edward “Ed” Bielarski, a 65-year-old Gainesville resident of seven years, served as the general manager of GRU since June 2015.

The commission terminated his contract in January, although more than 200 residents opposed the decision in September and forced the City Commission to reconsider.

“My job wasn’t finished in helping the city,” Bielarski said. “But as mayor, I knew that I could.”

Bielarski has 40 years of experience working as an executive in the utility business, he said. While working for Constellation and Exelon — two energy providers in Pennsylvania — he said he worked regularly with town councils, state legislature and Congress.

He described himself as a “champion of renewable energy,” as he helped change GRU’s perspective of providing renewable energy in an affordable way.

“We need to end the addiction that the City Commission has to GRU customer money,” he said.

Other initiatives for improving city utilities include modernizing GRU’s fleet, investing in affordable renewable energy and allocating American Rescue Plan Act funds to improve living conditions, he said.

Bielarski said he would help shift the commission’s priorities away from single-family zoning changes to protect against gentrification, specifically in East Gainesville.

To combat the housing crisis, Bielarski said he plans to increase local job opportunities, offer skills training and end the disparity between education in different areas of town.

“I always had my hand in working with local governments,” Bielarski said.

David Arreola

David Arreola has served as the District 3 commissioner since 2017 and is the youngest city commissioner ever elected. If elected, he would also be the first Hispanic mayor in Gainesville history.

A Gainesville native, Arreola has lived in the city for 22 years. The 31-year-old attended Gainesville’s public schools, earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Flagler College and master’s degree in business administration from St. Leo’s University, worked for local businesses — including Florida Credit Union and Pomodoro Café — and serves on a

board for Family Promise of Gainesville.

Arreola said voters will value his experience with housing, immigrants and youth opportunities.

Through measures such as mandating affordable housing for new development and raising funds for affordable housing, the housing market will stabilize and reduce the city’s housing crisis, he said.

Arreola also voted to approve the Aug. 4 controversial elimination of exclusionary zoning, a move that allowed developers to build two-story multifamily units in single-family residential areas.

To prepare for climate change, he said the city needs to focus on carbon reduction, electric vehicle infrastructure, zero emission initiatives and zero waste ordinances. He also said reducing city spending toward GRU, implementing alternative biofuels and diversifying renewable energy options will reduce residents’ utility bills.

“I’m very set on having a goal by 2030 to have a reduction of carbon emissions in the city, both by GRU and by the general population,” he said.

The commission will roll out climate change responses in coming months, as two coal-fire plants — which help power the city — are set to retire.

“If we’re going to ask customers to pay high bills, we should be willing to cut back on our spending,” Arreola said. @MickenzieHannon mhannon@alligator.org

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6 ALLIGATOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022

Staying safe on UF’s campus MEASURES FOR STUDENTS’ SAFETY INCLUDE BLUE LIGHT EMERGENCY PHONES AND SNAP VEHICLES

By Omar Ateyah Alligator Staff Writer

Melanie Corrales doesn’t go grocery shopping without her pepper spray, her panic button and her defense key chain. One year ago, when a man lingered behind her as she tried to shop at the Publix on West University Avenue, she wasn’t as prepared.

Corrales was a new-to-campus freshman. She tried to get a pharmacist’s attention, but she didn’t pick up on Corrales’ cues.

Corrales avoided the man only after bounding through the crosswalk to the other side of Southwest 13th Street.

The start of the academic year brings the excitement of independence for incoming UF students, but crime on campus and in surrounding areas — from sexual assault to hitand-runs — demand preparedness.

A man who allegedly took videos of women on UF’s campus without their consent in December 2021 was booked into the Alachua County Jail Tuesday. Deontre Mason faces nine counts of video voyeurism charges, including an alleged recording of a woman showering in Murphree Hall.

Blue light emergency phones scattered across campus allow students to quickly reach University

Police in cases of immediate distress.

In June 2020, UF announced new blue emergency lights in the area of Fraternity Row were operational in response to a student protest calling for their installation.

Since 2015, victims reported 98 rapes at UF — nearly half happened in or near dorms and 16 happened at or near fraternities.

In 2019, Ian Milaski, a former UF resident assistant, was arrested and charged with battery and false imprisonment when he sexually assaulted a UF student and tried to pressure her into sleeping with him.

He was found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison for attempted sexual battery, burglary and kidnapping in 2021, according to court records.

Even the Reitz Union has been subject to sexual misconduct incidents. Last October, a man masturbated in front of a sophomore student as she sat in the union’s cafeteria. Despite a plan to increase the number of surveillance cameras in the union, the efforts are slow, and UF has not added cameras to the food court since the incident.

The university does offer resources like the GatorSAFE app, which allows students to report and learn of crimes around campus. The app is a must-have for students, said University Police Department lieutenant Jake Pruitt. Its Personal Safety Toolbox includes location sharing and an alarm in cases of emergency.

The Rape Aggression Defense System self defense program can

also teach women how to keep themselves safe, GPD spokesperson Graham Glover said.

Students living in off-campus complexes should become familiar with the complex and know where the best lighting is located, Glover said. He also advised not walking alone after dark.

Student Nighttime Auxiliary Patrol vans can transport 15 people at a time and operate from 6:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. in the Fall and Spring semesters.

Too few students know about transportation options that allow them to get around town in the new area, said 19-year-old UF marketing junior Ethan Chen-Fung.

They’re especially important in light of recent hit-and-run incidents and pedestrian fatalities that have killed UF students.

Prateek Sharma was killed after being struck by a drunk driver on Southwest 34 Street this March.

Maggie Paxton was killed in December 2020 in a hit-and-run on West University Avenue, and a month later, Sophia Lambert died after being hit by a car on the same road. Denise Griffiths died in January 2020 after being hit on East University Avenue while walking onto a crosswalk.

Mikalee Williams, a 21-year-old business administration senior, said she would advise students to familiarize themselves with their phones’ built-in SOS features and avoid the University Avenue area after it gets dark. @OAteyah oateyah@alligator.org

What is UF Student Government?

The ins and outs of SG and how to get involved

By Sandra McDonald Alligator Staff Writer

UF Student Government acts as “a direct liaison between the university and its students,” according to its website. But what does that really mean?

SG controls more than $22 million and operates in three branches, much like the U.S. government: executive, legislative and judicial.

The executive branch is led by Student Body President Lauren Lemasters, who oversees 16 agencies and four cabinets — Diversity, Student Life, Leadership and Service and Transition — that influence and organize student experiences on and off campus.

The legislative branch is made up of a unicameral Senate with a maximum of 100 members. Senators are elected in Fall or Spring and represent either their majors, class standing or housing areas on and off campus. Its public meetings are held Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the Senate Chambers of the Reitz Union. The Senate passes legislation including the student activities and services fee budget, funded by over $22 million in student tuition and fees, during the Summer.

The judicial branch includes the UF SG Supreme Court and elections commissions, made up

of UF law students. Ryan Wiele serves as Chief Justice alongside three other justices. The SG Supreme Court handles cases brought by students based on SG rules and codes.

Most SG officers have official email addresses and office hours open to students available on the UF SG website.

Elections occur during the Fall and Spring semesters, where students can participate in slating — part of the process to run for office. The executive and legislative branches have vacancies, and the positions are available to all students taking summer classes.

Senate President Elizabeth Hartzog and Senate President Pro-Tempore Olivia Green, who both serve on the Replacement and Agenda Committee, said new students who want to give back to the university and represent its population of more than 50,000 students would benefit from holding a position.

“One of the main pieces of advice we would give to incoming students who want to get involved, specifically within student government, is to not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone,” Hartzog and Green wrote in a joint statement to the Alligator. @sn_mcdonald smcdonald@alligator.org

JOURNALISM MATTERS As newsrooms around the county face cutbacks and closures, The Alligator strives to continue to inform readers in our community, but we need your help. As a nonprofit, independent, student-run newsroom, we rely on your support. Whether it’s grabbing a paper, visiting www.alligator.org, following us on social media, subscribing to our newsletter, or making a donation, your support matters!

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022 www.alligator.org/section/opinions

Editorial

Hi, We’re The Alligator

H

ey, Gators. Some of you don’t know us yet, others have come to know us very well through those obnoxiously bright, battered orange news boxes.

Whether you’ve just hopped off I-75 or you’re a UF veteran who’s surprised that construction is still happening, allow us to introduce ourselves: Hello, we’re The Alligator.

We have a long legacy of holding institutions accountable and not worrying about the consequences — becoming independent over 50 years ago because we ran an insert with local abortion clinic addresses was risky. But we’re not letting up yet.

This semester we are committed to continue doing what we do best: telling you the truth. The truth about the university’s big donors, its presidential search, its encroachment on historically Black neighborhoods and more. We will give you the latest on UF, Gainesville and Alachua County this election year as we delve deeper into our college town’s significant political influence.

We’re a newsroom of around 60 students with varying levels of experience, but a

common goal to inform the community about what matters most to them. Our team is world class, working around the clock to bring you bold coverage through our daily and longform content.

The Alligator has never shied away from newsroom-wide investigations — even when powerful figures don’t want us to. Projects like Crossing Gainesville, Following Up and Facing The Numbers got to the heart of problems in the community, and we plan to keep that tradition.

We have plenty of pressing issues on our plate this semester: the U.S. Supreme Court’s unprecedented decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the effects of national and state politics on UF, gun violence and police brutality. We’ve provided hard-hitting news the community depends on before, and it’s a challenge we’re ready to take on once again.

If you walk by an orange news box on campus or around town, don’t just pass us by. Every Sunday, you can count on us for a fresh paper filled with the week’s most important headlines.

Take a peek inside the box every now and then. We don’t think you’ll regret it.

Makiya Seminera EDITOR-INCHIEF

Alan Halaly ENGAGEMENT MANAGING EDITOR

Isabella Douglas DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR

Halima Attah OPINIONS EDITOR

The Alligator encourages comments from readers. Letters to the editor should not exceed 600 words (about one letter-sized page). They must be typed, double-spaced and must include the author’s name, classification and phone number. Names will be withheld if the writer shows just cause. We reserve the right to edit for length, grammar, style and libel. Send letters to opinions@alligator.org, bring them to 2700 SW 13th St., or send them to P.O. Box 14257, Gainesville, FL 32604-2257.

Columns of about 450 words about original topics and editorial cartoons are also welcome. Questions? Call 352-376-4458.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022 www.alligator.org/section/the_avenue

LITERATURE

A readers’ guide to Gainesville bookstores

The best bookstores and resources in town

By Amanda Friedman & Averi Kremposky Avenue Staff Writers

What better way to escape the chaotic start of a new semester than by spending hours exploring the crowded shelves of a cozy bookstore?

From independent bookstores to public libraries, these local destinations will satisfy any reader’s literary appetite.

Book Gallery West

This charming reader’s getaway opened its doors almost 40 years ago and harbors an endless supply of books. Located in the Millhopper Shopping Center, Book Gallery West has a wide variety of book genres, including young adult, nonfiction, sci-fi and westerns.

Most titles are second-hand, but an assortment of new books sits toward the front of the store. The shop’s owner, Jan Fronk, allows customers to bring in books to trade or receive store credit.

Book Gallery West is also known for its fun and quirky gift items available for purchase, which Fronk collects from gift shows in cities like New York City and Atlanta. Decorated coffee mugs, geode bookends and handmade boxes are among some of the intriguing gifts sprinkled throughout the store.

“We’re more like a suburban country store,” Fronk said. “A little bit of everything.”

Books and Music, Wormhole

Tucked away on 1801 NE 23rd Ave. is a quaint nook that will take you back in time with its vintage aesthetic and book selection.

Books and Music, Wormhole opened its doors nearly one year ago and carries an eclectic collection of second-hand titles. Curated by store owner P Harris ”Worm,” the shop’s shelves are stocked with classic and contemporary literature and books on history, poetry and philosophy.

Harris built his inventory mainly through trading books, but he is always searching for new titles when shopping or traveling, he said.

Customers can also browse through a diverse array of vinyl records and cassette tapes, many of which are by local artists.

Harris opened a bookstore because he loves surrounding himself with literature and socializing with readers, he said.

“All kinds of people come in, from ex-librarians to the guy who’s working on his time machine,” Harris said. “I just get to hang out with all of them.”

Harris expanded his business into a community space for artistic expression to engage further with the local creatives. He frequently hosts poetry and book readings to highlight the work of local authors.

All Star Sportscards & Comics

All Star Sportscards & Comics, located at 7241 NW 4th Blvd., has served local comic book fans with

a variety of vintage and new comics since 2005.

Spiderman and Batman comics are the most popular sold, but customers have thousands of horror, romance, adventure and fantasy comics to browse. Shoppers can also purchase from the store online.

The store also specializes in other vintage and second-hand items like sportscards, toys, vinyl records and other collectibles. People come into the shop daily looking to sell their vintage items to the store’s owner Chet Szydlowski.

With roughly 30 years of experience in the comic book industry, sports cards and comics are Szydlowski’s life-long passion. He traveled and sold comics at conventions before opening All Star Sportscards & Comics.

Alachua County Public Library

For literature devotees looking for more than just a book, the Alachua County Public Library boasts various resources for getting involved in a book club. Whether it’s hosting or just participating, the public library has the means to create strong book communities.

Spanning multiple locations and genres, the public library has numerous clubs where readers can find company. It offers groups for fiction, non-fiction and true crime. All book club options are listed with recurring times and locations on the library’s website.

Alleviating the stress of gathering

Houston Harwood // Alligator Staff

The Alachua County Library District downtown headquarters, located at 401 E University Ave in Gainesville Monday, July 12, 2021. materials, the public library has an entire catalog of book club kits available for checkout. The library offers lesser-known works of local authors in addition to popular titles.

Each kit contains 10 copies of the selected book, a large print copy, a CD audiobook and a resource folder consisting of discussion questions, tips for reading groups and evaluation forms.

Joyce West, the library’s public services director, recommends being creative and open when starting a book club from scratch. She said some groups opt for a specific genre, and then allow each member to choose a book for the club that falls within the category.

Whether at home or in the library, being part of a book club in

Gainesville is an easy way to integrate into the community and share the passion of books with like-minded locals.

Joining a book club doesn’t have to be a grueling time commitment.

West said book clubs gather once a month.

“You get to meet new people, you get to talk to people who probably enjoy either the same genre as you or the same author as you and you’ll definitely walk away with some reader’s advisory,” West said. @afriedmanuf afriedman@alligator.org @averijkremposky akremposky@alligator.org

NIGHTLIFE

Gainesville nightlife guide THE RUNDOWN ON MIDTOWN AND DOWNTOWN HAS ARRIVED

By Anna Ward Avenue Staff Writer

Approaching Gainesville nightlife can be daunting. New students are embarrassed to know nothing, and older students are embarrassed to be out of the know.

Feel daunted no longer.

Gainesville nightlife is divided into two scenes: Midtown, the more casual college scene across from campus, and the slightly classier downtown scene.

Midtown

Midtown, a stretch of bars and clubs located in the block between Northwest 17th Street

and Northwest 18th Street, is the easiest option for campus residents — a crosswalk away from the closest classrooms.

It’s the civic duty of incoming freshmen to go to Grog House Grill, the only 18+ club in Midtown. Grog offers a good time for $5, and can become a mess of crazy freshmen. Watch out for all-you-can-drink Saturdays — and the stairs.

Fat Daddy’s, colloquially called “Fats,” is soundtracked by dance and house music and is the go-to spot for Greeks and UF athletes alike.

Wall-to-wall crowds mean it’s often hot inside, and the persistent craziness despite its 21+ entry makes it the grown-up Grog.

The Rowdy Reptile, or “Rowdy’s,” is also pretty popular. It has food, basketball and mainstream music. It’s a chill place with little dancing — great to hang with friends and

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typically flooded with families during parents’ weekend.

JJ’s Tavern is a small but busy dive bar.

While Fats plays house, JJ’s plays sing-along pop; it’s more chill but still fun. It’s known for its rum buckets, personal pizzas and large populace of frat boys. Its newly added back bar has LED lights and tables for sitting.

Salty Dog Saloon is more of a longtime dive bar. Frequenters stand divided, either calling it “Salty” or “Dog.” Expect an older crowd and country vibes. It’s intimate and casual: lots of sitting, chilling and talking. The Saloon has booths, pool and ping pong tables. It also offers bar eats and drinking challenges in exchange for T-shirts.

Balls is the small, grunge-y, graffiti-littered bar of Midtown. Its crowd is made of more actual adults than college students, so the scene, especially compared to that of Fats or JJ’s, can come off a bit random.

The only rooftop bar around belongs to The Social at Midtown, where patrons can watch

a game, enjoy karaoke and $5 pitchers on Wednesdays or partake in all-you-can-drink Thursdays. The downstairs boasts a full menu, and the rooftop comes complete with cornhole and ring toss.

Downtown

White Buffalo, commonly shortened to “White Buff,” is in the upper echelon of Downtown clubs. Located at 111 S. Main Street, it’s 21+ to enter and typically packed with a long line, booked-out tables and a fleet of bartenders to ensure a short wait for drinks. Bouncer Justin Goldfeder, known as “Alpha Daddy,” and the white buffalo statue inside are icons of the establishment.

Read the rest online at alligator.org/section/the_avenue. @AnnaWard_ award@alligator.org

Student Rec, Southwest Recreation battle it out

Alligator sports reporters weigh in on what UF gym is better.

Read more on pg. 11.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022 ALLIGATOR 9

Students, residents prepare for hurricane season Alachua County and UF offer several resources to combat the season

By Jackson Reyes Alligator Staff Writer

Gianni Pena kayaked up the street with his belongings in rain-proof bags after Hurricane Irma swept north central Florida in September 2017. The 23-year-old Gainesville resident still feels nervous every June. If his house floods again, he’ll have to move.

His bedroom was six feet underwater, and his house had about a foot of water in it, he said. He remembered watermarks halfway up his garage and water in his driveway going above his Jeep’s tires.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast about 14 to 21 named storms this season — which lasts well beyond summer months, extending all the way until Nov. 30 — with the possibility of six to 10 becoming hurricanes.

The city installed control pumps in Pena’s neighborhood — Hills of Santa Fe, two miles southwest of Santa Fe College — to help prevent flooding this year. The pumps will be used to drain large amounts of rainwater.

Kenneth Allen, UF’s emergency management director, said the university provides shelters when needed, but most on-campus students will stay in their facility in the event

of a hurricane. Hurricane survival kits with at least three days’ worth of food, water and other essential supplies are vital, he said.

“We all live in Florida, which means we all have a hurricane problem,” Allen said.

Hannah Lofgren, a 21-year-old UF environmental engineering senior, remembered sitting in Mallory Hall’s study room preparing for an impending exam while Hurricane Dorian approached Gainesville in 2019.

While UF announced students could stay in their dorms during the storm, most of her floormates left.

“It was definitely scary in the moment,” Lofgren said. “It felt like the dorm was being abandoned.”

Although the storm turned away from Gainesville, she found comfort in relying on a local friend for shelter. She recommended incoming freshmen reach out to floormates to understand their hurricane season gameplans.

“Have no shame in asking if you can just go with them,” she said. “It’s just a scary time for everyone.”

UF Alert and UF Public Safety send and post hurricane season updates to students and faculty through text, email or social media.

People should also own a battery-powered radio to stay updated in case a storm knocks out

Play to win: UF esports UF’S VIDEO GAME SPORTS CLUB HOSTS SIX TEAMS AND COMPETES NATIONALLY, ALL FROM HOME

By Sandra McDonald Alligator Staff Writer

Samuel Marrero remembers using a single controller handed back and forth between players to play his favorite video game, “BattleTanx,” on his father’s N64 gaming console at 4 years old.

The 21-year-old UF computer science senior, whose gamer tag is now “dadjorts,” traded the controller for his computer and played over 3,000 hours of “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive,” a PC first-person shooter game — he reached its highest rank, Global Elite, in 2017 at 16 years old.

“I’ve been a lifelong gamer,” Marrero said. “I’ve always been gaming.”

Marrero leads other students in every major competitive collegiate esports scene — “CS:GO,” “Valorant,” “Overwatch,” “League of Legends,” “Rocket League” and “Fortnite” — as the Gator Esports’ community coordinator. The competitive video gaming club is made entirely of UF students who compete against other collegiate teams in tournaments across the country — all from their bedrooms.

EXPIRES 12/31/2022

electricity and cellular service, Allen said.

Jen Grice, Alachua County’s emergency management director, said the county offers several resources to help handle tropical storms and hurricanes.

Alachua County has 21 identified shelters for residents, she said.

Residents can call 3-1-1, a critical information line activated during emergencies, for updates about the storm and what the county is doing and text “ALACHUA” to 888777 for messages about new shelters, disaster recovery centers and sandbag locations.

Although NOAA can predict how many storms will hit Florida, Grice said it is hard to anticipate how many will hit Alachua County.

Residents should plan for at least one storm as a precaution, she said.

“It only takes one bad storm to truly impact our community in a significant way,” Grice said.

A common-sense approach is the best way to prepare for a storm; people should get empty jugs or containers and fill them up with tap water before the storm hits, she said. Water could be sold out at grocery stores as hurricanes near the area.

Connor Haley, a 20-year-old UF computer engineering junior, said he is not concerned

Gator Esports won’t receive any funding from UF Student Government until Spring. The club, which has over 450 members in its Discord channel, is on track to becoming a sports club, which would entitle it to additional funding.

The club’s board emphasizes the importance of serving the community that supports them, Kelli Snellman, Gator Esports’ president, said.

The players, she said, are students first and players second; tournaments often require player transcripts to confirm they are in good standing with their schools.

Nick “Strawberry” Strawser said he treats esports more like a hobby; most of his courses are online, so it makes it easier to play in between classes. The 21-year-old UF computer engineering senior played over 3,600 hours of “Rocket League” since 2017 — about 150 days of playtime. He now plays the game, which allows gamers to play soccer as rocket-powered cars, at its highest rank for Gator Esports.

Last February, Strawser’s team ranked No. 11 in the Collegiate “Rocket League” Last Chance qualifier tournament, which earned them $1,600 out of a $45,000 prize pool.

Collegiate esports is like any other UF sport, he said, and fellow Gator Esports player Dang “Fyrat” Hoang agreed.

“During the on-season, we just kind of live and breathe this game,” Hoang, who plays “League of Legends,” said.

Hoang’s teammates play six to eight hours a day during the Fall and Spring semesters. He said there’s a stigma against competitive video games, but he disagrees that esports is just a

Courtesy to The Alligator

Aerial view of a hurricane approaching Florida. about the season and what it brings.

“I’ve lived in north Florida all my life,” Haley said. “We’ve always survived it.”

Haley, who lives in Infinity Hall, said he feels comfortable living on and around campus and has not seen any real effects from tropical storms during the two years he’s lived in Gainesville.

More information on how to be ready for hurricane season can be found at UF’s emergency page and Alachua County Ready. @JacksnReyes jacksonreyes@alligator.org

game and said that it’s about people, not just the competition.

“I saw that we really had a lack of a centralized esports club at the University of Florida,” Lucas Silva, the inaugural president of Gator Esports said. His friends back home in Broward County, he said, ended up leading the successful esports program at UCF. It inspired him to bring it to UF as well.

He started a “CS:GO” team in Spring 2021 then reached out to decentralized existing esports teams already on campus to bring them together under one name in Spring 2022.

“If we’re not going to be provided the infrastructure that we want to see, we should just make it,” Silva said.

Just like collegiate sports teams, some collegiate esports programs offer scholarships to incentivize talented players to attend their schools.

The Gator Esports “Overwatch” team reached the top 25 in the “Overwatch” Collegiate Championship in 2022 and placed 10th in 2021. The first place prize for the tournament, organized

by Blizzard Entertainment, is $24,000.

The better the esports program, the more interested students will be, said UF industrial and systems engineering junior and “Overwatch” player Anlanh “Shun” Nguyen, said, “We’re just a group of guys that get together on our own time without any assistance from the university,” he said. “We managed to pull off some surprising results.” @sn_mcdonald smcdonald@alligator.org

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Hiking hotspots: Gainesville’s nature parks Libraries and tutoring services

set to help incoming freshmen

THESE PARKS OFFER A LOOK INTO GAINESVILLE’S WILDLIFE AND ECOSYSTEM

UF LIBRARIES AND TUTORING SERVICES LIKE STUDY EDGE AND KNACK ARE USED BY CURRENT STUDENTS TO HELP THEM EXCEL AT THE UNIVERSITY

By Anushka Dakshit Alligator staff writer

After long days stuck studying for classes, some students opt to visit nature parks to hike, picnic, take pictures and learn more about Gainesville’s diverse plants and wildlife. These three parks are staples for students looking for an escape.

By Kyle Bumpers Alligator Staff Writer

Eileen Calub // Alligator Staff

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

A lake decorated with water pads and 24 gardens with dozens of exotic animals and plants sit tucked away about four miles from campus.

Located at 4700 SW 58th Drive, a little more than two miles south of Butler Plaza, Kanapaha Botanical Garden boasts a one-and-a-half mile walkway lined with expansive visual scenery.

It runs through the specialty gardens, which are broken into taxological and ecological themes. The hummingbird garden holds beds of red tubular flowers meant to attract the titular bird.

“A botanical garden is like a zoo for plants,” Alexis Caffrey, the garden’s director, said.

Kanapaha has a very healthy bird population, she said, and many binocular-baring bird watchers gravitate toward the silk oak tree, which attracts colorful birds.

Kanapaha’s team gathers plants from around the world, some of which are endangered, and the gardens demand much more maintenance than other parks with natural settings, Caffrey said.

The gardens, with a name originating from the Timucua words for “palmetto leaves” and “house,” are run by The North Florida Botanical Society, a private non-profit organi-

People stroll through attractions at the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens to enjoy the outdoors. zation.

A picnic area allows visitors to bask on a blanket with their own food and drinks during park hours.

easy to see the wildlife,” said Darby Guyn, a 26-year-old park ranger at Sweetwater Wetlands.

Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park

Sweetwater Wetlands Park

Sweetwater Wetlands Park’s man-made, alligator-head-shaped habitat is uniquely designed for pedestrians to stroll, run or photograph its wildlife.

The park filters out pollution and nutrients with its design to improve water quality and includes a threeand-a-half mile-long nature trail and viewing decks that allow people to spot about 250 unique species, including bison, horses and alligators.

Visitors can follow a ranger around the wetlands — located at 325 SW Williston Road, about three miles southeast of campus — for night hikes, plant walks and bird walks on a monthly basis September to May. The events work in conjunction with the Alachua Audubon Society, a non-profit organization that promotes the appreciation of birds and other wildlife. “[People enjoy] photography and access to viewing wildlife because the park is so open, it’s really

A sinkhole sits at the bottom of Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park’s half-mile nature trail. The rainforest opens to the 120-footdeep basin with 132 steps that lead directly into the water.

The park — located at 4732 Millhopper Road, about six miles north of campus — is a “remarkable geological wonderland,” wrote Erin McDade, deputy press secretary at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

“One of the most amazing things you’ll experience is the stark temperature change as you approach the sinkhole,” McDade wrote.

The canopy of trees provides shade that cools the area, while the park has a variety of wildlife viewing.

Visitors can see reptiles, amphibians and birds during guided walks with rangers Saturdays at 10 a.m. @Anushkadak adakshit@alligator.org

Keeping up with classes at a top five public university may seem daunting for some students — making the need for good study resources even more important.

Resources ranging from expansive libraries to curated study guides await students as they swarm the swamp this Fall.

Maisa Mirza, a 21-year-old UF information systems senior, is heavily involved with Study Edge, a study resource that creates packets and lectures for UF courses. She first used Study Edge her freshman year for her microeconomics class in Spring 2020 and worked as a Study Edge student assistant in Spring 2022.

Mirza said Study Edge helps her understand concepts she didn’t grasp in professors’ lectures. Oftentimes she feels the concepts are taught too broadly to students, she said.

“In terms of actually succeeding in the course, I feel like Study Edge does a better job,” Mirza said.

Mirza also turns to Knack, a free tutoring service partnered with UF, when she needs a more in-depth explanation for concepts in her courses. She values the discussion-based strategy it employs and appreciates the wide range of courses the tutoring service offers. Knack normally costs $12 per hour, but UF gives students free access.

Incoming students should watch every class lecture and change their study habits to suit the intense college course load, Mirza said.

“This [college] is ultimately what’s going to help you in your career, so take it seriously,” Mirza said.

Mirza also frequents UF’s libraries and often uses study rooms to enhance her learning.

It’s beneficial to leave her dorm and study in a different environment, she said, and the presence of other students motivates her to work harder.

UF’s main campus contains seven libraries, including Marston Library, Library West, Library East and the Education Library, with study rooms and subject librarians for extra assistance as well as outside tutoring programs.

Read the rest online at alligator.org. @BumpersKyle kbumpers@alligator.org

Makiya Seminera // Alligator Staff

The ground floor of Marston Science Library Monday, June 28, 2021.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022 ALLIGATOR 11

Delta-8: pot’s accessible, affordable alternative THE LEGAL PRODUCT COMES IN MANY FORMS AND PRODUCES VARYING EFFECTS AMONG USERS

By Anna Ward Alligator Staff Writer

As Delta-8 products fill smoke shop shelves with everything from jars of bud to snack-mimicking edibles like Stoner Patch Dummies, the line between smoke shops and dispensaries is blurring.

Any 18-year-old has a menu of legal edibles to choose from, and 21-year-olds get an extended edition of THC prerolls, flower, wax cartridges and disposable vapes — no medical card required.

Delta-8 is one of many legal THC products sold on shelves.

Florida’s 2018 Farm Bill requires the THC in such products to be 0.3% or less of the product’s weight. At that level, Delta-8 and other THC products don’t meet the definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act, even though the products can get users high.

“It weighs a lot less but the same punch,” said Kylie Duarte, a 21-year-old sales associate at Smoke City, noting that it would still cause users to fail a drug test.

The Delta-9 isomer, the part of the wider THC molecule that’s responsible for the signature high feeling of pot, can still be sold within those legal limits, as can the other legal varieties of Delta-10, THC-0, HHC and THCV. The limits provide a legal loophole, bringing THC to the mainstream as these isomers are extracted and infused into products.

Delta-8’s biggest appeals are its accessibility and legality, students say. Highs can be bought over-the-counter, on-de-

mand, instead of around the corner at a dealer’s convenience.

“It’s just easier to get,” said Kalani Carrion, a 20-year-old Santa Fe international business sophomore. He also said the affordability is a benefit.

A pack of PurLyf edible gummies packs a total of 350 milligrams of THC for $22. On the street, the same investment would yield about two grams of marijuana. The LA Times smoke calculator puts that THC content at 215 milligrams, with 99 of them lost due to heating.

Delta-8 being a legal product also eliminates paranoia over police punishment.

“I got pulled over for a dab cart,” said Nicholas Mulhearn, a 21-year-old salesman for SPV hospitality. “[Police] were like, ‘This is a felony.’ They put handcuffs on me. It didn’t have a label on it so I was like, ‘Yeah, that’s Delta-8.’ They immediately took them off me, and let me go.”

The products are popular among all ages and especially with those who wouldn’t try marijuana illegally, Duarte said.

The synthetic process that creates Delta-8 can translate to an altered high that new users may not notice.

Delta-8 is a top-selling product, Duarte said. Though the disposable vapes and edibles are the most popular forms, she said people get excited at the visuals of the candy-colored, snack-emulating products (one popular variety emulates Nerds Rope), and about seven out of ten customers buy some form of them.

But not every student is a fan. “[Delta-8] is like weed’s stupid little cousin,” said Babar Rashid, a 23-year-old sales associate at Smoke City. “It feels like you’re almost gonna get high, and then it never comes.”

A 21-year-old UF political science senior, who requested anonymity because he plans to join the armed forces, said he

has only used Delta-8 when he couldn’t find pot. He said it feels artificial, causes a weird thought loop and makes people think they’re high when they’re not actually high.

Duarte said she has a medical marijuana card. She said the Delta-8 experience is not similar, as the taste is synthetic and the high is more of a “buzzy” experience compared to the clarity of a medical high.

“It makes you feel stupid,” she said. “People just want to feel something.”

Alex Ilardi, a 25-year-old Sales Associate at Highly Concentr8, said the last few years have brought a boom of cannabis research, and that slight differences in cannabinoid concentrations between products may be responsible for differences in reactions.

“If you’re somebody who’s interested in buying this product, pay attention to who you buy it from,” he said. “There’s exploitation in new markets always.”

Regarding product transparency, Rashid and Duarte both acknowledged the packaging of Delta-8 and similar products must include a QR code to a full lab report to ensure quality and accountability. Without one, buyers have no way to tell what’s inside the product or who manufactured it.

But the packaging can get careless.

For instance, Duarte recalls a mini-version of THCV edibles that have the same packaging as its larger version — incorrectly describing the product’s serving size and quantity.

“It’s really suspicious honestly,” Rashid said. “Who’s selling it? Who’s making it?”

One package of Better Delta Spectrum+ Delta-9 gummies had a printed expiration date of Sept. 2023. The package’s linked lab report lists an expiration date of Sept. 2022.

“Just smoke weed,” Duarte said. @AnnaWard_ award@alligator.org

Students continue their athletic careers through club sports Club sports allow students to stay active without the commitment level of Division I athletics

By Lindsay Schindler Alligator Staff Writer

Students who didn’t wish to continue their sport with collegiate programs found a way to keep their same passion alive throughout college: club sports.

UF RecSports offers more than 40 sport clubs for both men and women, from archery to wrestling to hockey. They are open to anyone from experienced athletes to people just looking to be active.

Students can choose how active they want to be within the clubs they choose to join. The club tennis team has over 400 members, but only about 100 active ones.

“We take all levels on the club team, but only the top people travel to tournaments,” club tennis president Alex Lyew said.

Some teams coach themselves, while

others have volunteer coaches.

Sport clubs still give students the opportunity to represent UF and compete against other schools. Leagues are typically confined to the state, but it’s common to travel to play other schools for friendly, regional or national tournaments.

The highly competitive men’s club lacrosse team practices four times a week during their main season, which takes place in the Spring semester. The team also travels to play schools around Florida and fulfill their conference requirements.

The team also takes an annual spring break road trip to play schools they wouldn’t play during the regular season.

This past spring break, the team traveled to Georgia and Virginia.

“It’s a big commitment, but it’s so fun out there,” club president Thatcher Kelly

said.

Regional and national tournament travel are at the discretion of the league, but some clubs host tournaments open to any school.

The men’s and women’s club beach volleyball teams play against other schools, but they also battle the general public in open tournaments.

Their first tournament this year featured local teams like Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University, as well as out-of-state teams like Miami University in Ohio and the University of South Carolina.

UF club sports build connections through competition as well. While both the men’s and women’s water polo teams have great track records, men’s water polo club president Alex Kaiser said above all, his team has provided him with a fun, ac-

tive friend group.

“It’s a great experience with a perfect mix of performing at a high level and having fun,” Kaiser said.

The men’s and women’s rugby team’s coach, Gary Byrne, stuck with the program for the last ten years. Last summer, he used his connections to take a few players on the women’s team to New Zealand to play against the women’s team.

Campbell Lackey, the women’s rugby club president, said the trip brought her much closer to the team.

“It’s literally brought me across the world,” she said. “I would have never gotten to go there if I didn’t play this sport, and it was a really awesome experience.” @lindsschindler lschindler@alligator.org

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12

Autos

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8-15-22-13-12

Wanted

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8-15-22-13-13

The American Cancer Society Road to Recovery Volunteers Needed!

VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED to transport cancer patients to treatment.

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Please call 800-227-2345 if interested.

14

Help Wanted

Sales & Marketing Manager

BCI Walk In Tubs are now on SALE! Be one of the first 50 callers and save $1,500! CALL 888-687-0415 for a free in-home consultation.

8-17-3-10

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13

MBA 2-3 yrs exp or BS 4-5 yrs exp.

Bilingual English/Spanish.

Send resume to floridauniforms@gmail.com 8-17-1-14 St. Francis House is a homeless shelter located in downtown Gainesville.

Our mission is to empower families with children to transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency by providing case management, housing, food, training and educational resources in a secure environment.

If interested in volunteering please contact the volunteer coordinator at 352-378- 9079 ext 317 or sfhcoor@stfrancis.cfcoxmail.com St Francis House depends on monetary support from individual donors and community businesses in order to provide meals to the homeless and the hungry.

To make a donation by mail, please send checks payable to St. Francis House P.O. Box 12491 Gainesville Fl 32604 or our website at Stfrancishousegnv.org

solution on page 10

HIRING OFFICE CLEANERS M-F & every other Sat. Night shift starting at 5:30 p.m. Must own a car / lots of driving.

Weekly pay. $14/hr. If interested please call 352-214-0868 8-15-22-13-14

14

Help Wanted

Electricity Market Research Analysts (NDC Investments, LLC - Gainesville, FL) Use quant analysis, statistical techniques, software to gather, evaluate market data for growing energy trading company. May telecommute, MA Economics, w/coursework in Econometrics req.

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Go to lifesouth.org/careers for more info 8-24-22-5-14 Looking for student to help keep up home / yard. Move in / live RENT FREE, in furnished efficiency apt. Close to UF. No pets. ● OR ● Part-time job $15/hr.

Short resume. ghpolkgator@gmail.com 8-29-22-7-14

Release Date: Wednesday, August 17, 2022 Release Date: Tuesday, August 2, 2022

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By Ella Dershowitz ©2022 Tribune Content Agency, LLC By Katherine Baicker & Scott Earl ©2022 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

08/01/2022 08/02/22

08/17/22

08/02/22 08/17/22

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022 ALLIGATOR 13

14

Help Wanted

INDIVIDUAL AND SMALL GROUP ACCOUNTING TUTORING by former instructor. Reasonable rates. Flexible time.

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16 Health Services Attention: VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drug store prices!

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puzzle solutions (from page 12)

ScrabbleGrams solution

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DATE AND TIME: August 22, 2022 at 3:00 p.m.

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Services

The Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization for the Gainesville Urbanized Area announces a hybrid-on-site and virtual public meeting via communications media technology to which all interested persons are invited.

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solution below

15

PUBLIC MEETING

ON-SITE John R. “Jack” Durrance Auditorium, County Administration Building, Gainesville, Florida

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9-12-22-5-14

NOTICE OF ON-SITE/VIRTUAL HYBRID

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20 Events/Notices

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Personals

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Connections

The end of the term and the end of your rope, Best Jewelry and Loan is the needy Gator's hope!

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8-15-13-20

SUBMIT YOUR AD TO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES TODAY! 1: FOR RENT (FURNISHED) 2: FOR RENT (UNFURNISHED) 3: SUBLEASE 4: ROOMMATES 5: REAL ESTATE 6: FURNISHINGS 7: COMPUTERS 8: ELECTRONICS 9: BICYCLES 10: FOR SALE 11: MOTORCYCLES/MOPEDS 12: AUTOS 13: WANTED 14: HELP WANTED

PURPOSE: Regular Business Meeting of the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization for the Gainesville Urbanized Area A copy of the agenda may be obtained by visiting our website at www.ncfrpc.org (click Metropolitan Transportation Planning) or may be seen posted at 2009 NW 67th Place, Gainesville, Florida one week prior to the meeting.

Due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization for the Gainesville Urbanized Area will conduct a hybrid on-site and virtual meeting via communications media technology. As part of the general public access, the meeting is televised live on Cox Cable Channel 12. However, live public comment is taken on-site only. On-site public participants are encouraged to wear a face-covering mask at all times. For on-site public comment, participants will be prompted and should follow the direction of the Chair to participate. In addition, the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization for the Gainesville Urbanized Area accepts written comments received no later than one business day prior to the meeting through email (escalante@ncfrpc.org) or postal mail (2009 NW 67th Place, Gainesville, Florida 32653).

On-site participants should state their names and limit comments to three minutes. The public is encouraged to submit any written or photographic documents prior to the meeting to escalante@ncfrpc.org. Any questions regarding participation should be directed to the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization for the Gainesville Urbanized Area Office at 352.955.2200, extension 114.

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, familial status, religious status, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Michael Escalante at 352.955.2200, extension 114, at least 48 hours prior to the public meeting.

8-17-1-20

21

20 Events/Notices When cash is low and the bills seem out of reach, Best Jewelry and Loan is the surfer's "PAWN BEACH".

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15: SERVICES 16: HEALTH SERVICES 17: TYPING 18: PERSONALS 19: CONNECTIONS 20: EVENTS/NOTICES 21: ENTERTAINMENT 22: TICKETS 23: RIDES 24: PETS 25: LOST & FOUND alligator.org/classifieds classified@alligator.org (352)373-FIND

EYES UP. PHONE DOWN. DON'T TEXT & DRIVE.

Entertainment

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24

Pets

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OPERATION CATNIP

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25

Lost & Found

NOTE: This newspaper assumes no responsibility for injury or loss arising from contacts made through advertising. We suggest that any reader who responds to advertising use caution and investigate the sincerity of the advertiser before giving out personal information or arranging meetings or investing money.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022 www.alligator.org/section/sports

Column

Why Student Rec reigns supreme

S

teve Jobs once said, “Quality is more important than quantity. One home run is much better than two doubles.”

Baseball analytics fans might argue the latter portion of the quote, but the former rings true in all facets of life. UF student gyms are no exception.

While the impressive, 140,000-square-foot Southwest Recreation Center boasts rows of treadmills, an upstairs track and even its own smoothie bar, the true heart of Florida fitness lies nestled Carson Cashion ccashion@alligator.org inside campus. It overlooks the Florida Pool and resides in the shadow of the Swamp.

The Student Recreation & Fitness Center is the mecca of student fitness in Gainesville.

Sure, Southwest outnumbers it in most machines — Student Rec only has three squat racks and three bench presses. However, per research, one person can use just one bench press at a time. Thus, the only benefit of added machines is line prevention, which isn’t much of an issue with the lower volume of students at Student Rec. Aside from peak times during the school year, lines at the iconic gym are near nonexistent.

Besides the literal nuts and bolts of the gym, the atmosphere at Student Rec far exceeds that of its contemporary. Southwest features few windows in the weight rooms, and the ones that do exist face plots of land and construction.

Meanwhile, the weight room at Student Rec boasts a glorious view of the Florida Pool. Whether it’s a glimpse of a water polo game, swimming practice or the mere sunlight glistening off the surface of the water, the view is guaranteed to surpass Southwest.

Furthermore, just beyond the pool is Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. I don’t have a list of the most adrenaline-inducing venues in the state of Florida, but there is no way The Swamp doesn’t crack the top five. Looking upon the coliseum where football players battle it out every Fall Saturday is the perfect view for finishing one last rep or one last mile on the treadmill.

The ambiance, simply put, is superb.

The location, aside from aesthetically pleasing views, provides a convenient spot for

Mingmei Li // Alligator Staff

The Student Recreation and Fitness Center sits adjacent to the Florida Pool, in the shadow of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. students to follow their own regime or attend a fitness class on campus. The travel from classes to Southwest can take 30 minutes or more, but Student Rec is a quick walk from nearly every classroom on campus. A two-hour break in between classes can be repurposed for a workout: an impossible task without choosing Student Rec over Southwest.

Regardless of which gym new UF students choose, they will have the best equipment available; both gyms’ machinery is state-of-the-art. However, when it comes to the proximity to campus and atmosphere, there is one clear answer. @CarsonCashion ccashion@alligator.org

Column

Southwest Recreation: a fitness paradise

F

itness is one of the many top priorities on UF students’ daily schedule. From the bodybuilders who walk through the weight room door before the crack of dawn to the average fitness enthusiast who hits the treadmill after work, any type of student can be found at the Southwest Recreation Center.

The Southwest Recreational Center, also known simply as Southwest, is a stateof-the-art fitness facility that has served more than two million students since the Fall of

Faith Buckley // Alligator Staff

1994. It consists of two floors, each with its own unique equipment and function.

Unlike the Student Recreation and Fitness Center found near Murphree Hall, parking at Southwest is a stress-free experience. A sizable parking lot designated for anyone with a UF parking decal sits right across the street and a bus stop sits only a few steps from the front doors.

Gym goers are greeted by large glass windows, fitness instructors Brandon and cardio machines, including treadmills, ellipticals and exercise Hernandez bikes with personal viewing screens. Students can continue bhernandez@alligator.org workouts on the second floor with a 1/9 mile indoor track.

Weightlifters find sanctuary in the first floor’s large weight room. Southwest has the most workout equipment on campus: abdominal machines to crunch abs, squat racks for those who actually commit to leg day, bench presses for anyone wishing to pump the pecs’ and more.

Student Rec’s cardio machines, which outnumber its weights, do not make it an ideal place to go. You’ll be waiting half an hour to use a 20-pound dumbbell.

Southwest’s most impressive section — the mirror-lined wall with dumbbells — allows lifters to see their pump anywhere in the weight room.

Students can also register for different classes focusing on yoga, cycling, swimming and other activities. The main factor lifting Southwest over Student Rec is the multipurpose gymnasium, which can be used for indoor soccer, handball, racquetball and basketball; students can check out equipment before getting on the courts.

Speaking of courts, Southwest has a total of six full basketball courts for students to run games all day. It’s a place with plenty of opportunities for everyone to get a shot up or to even work on their game. At Student Rec, only one full court is available that is most often being used. On Mondays, I usually go to Student Rec to play basketball only to realize that someone is either using it for fencing or martial arts. The worst part about it: you would never know until you arrive on the hardwood.

So don’t bother going over to the smaller facility at the Student Rec. Grab your Gator 1 card and go to an actual gym at Southwest, the best in Gainesville.

The Southwest Recreation Center opened in 1994, and has since expanded to 140,000 square feet. It includes basketball, racquetball and volleyball courts. alligatorSports has a podcast!

The alligatorSports Podcast releases episodes every Wednesday and can be streamed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your other preferred streaming platform.

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@BranH2001 bhernandez@alligator.org

Follow us for updates

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

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022 ALLIGATOR 15

ATHLETICS

A six-year retrospective of UF athletic director Scott Stricklin Stricklin has seen nine national titles and four new head coaches in his tenure with the Gators

By Jackson Castellano Sports Writer

Scott Stricklin began his tenure as athletic director of the Florida Gators Nov. 1, 2016.

UF hired Stricklin from Mississippi State to replace Jeremy Foley, who served as Florida’s athletic director for 24 years before retiring. Relatively young for his position, Stricklin was tasked with carrying UF through a transitional period and into its next era.

Any Southeastern Conference school — even those without an athletic pedigree like UF — has high expectations for its programs and the people running them.

That begs the all-important question: After six years on the job, has Stricklin met UF’s standards?

Stricklin started off his tenure in Gainesville on a hot streak. He quickly improved his public image by firing former Gators football head coach Jim McElwain, who began the 2017 season 3-4 before getting booted out of the Swamp. Stricklin also snagged three national championships in his first year thanks to Florida’s ever-consistent baseball, tennis, and track and field programs.

As Stricklin’s first year at the helm came to a close, focus began to shift to how he would establish his own influence on UF’s programs. The first step was hiring a new head football coach, and Stricklin reunited with a former colleague when he hired Dan Mullen. The pairing previously worked together at Mississippi State, and at the time Mullen was generally considered a smart hire. The

same year, Stricklin handed men’s basketball coach Mike White a contract extension.

These two coaches would become the pillars of UF athletics’s next five years. More of their stories — and eventual downfalls — come later in the timeline.

Stricklin moved forward and found success from 2017 to 2021, winning six more national championships and collecting a handful of SEC titles across various programs.

Football seemed to be coming around, too, as the Gators just narrowly missed out on a berth in the 2021 College Football Playoff, partially thanks to a certain footwear malfunction.

The earliest years of the Stricklin era convinced the University Athletic Association to offer him an extension through 2027 in July 2021. A quick change in the Gators’ fortune over the months following turned that into a somewhat questionable investment.

Mullen and White, the leaders of Florida’s two largest programs, have since departed from Gainesville. UF fired Mullen after a season littered with uncharacteristic losses, and White accepted a head coaching role at Georgia before Stricklin even had the chance to relieve him of his duties.

Beyond underperformance, Stricklin also dealt with scandal. The Alligator reported alleged abuse by former women’s basketball coach Cameron Newbauer, months after he resigned citing personal reasons. Then, UF fired former soccer coach Anthony Amato after less than a year on the job, also over concerns of player mistreatment.

Grace King // Alligator Staff

UF athletic director Scott Stricklin at his introductory press conference Sept. 27, 2016. Stricklin has seen equal amounts of success and scandal during his tenure.

The string of events was far from confidence-inducing for Stricklin, but not all is lost. This coming year could have huge implications for Stricklin’s future.

Mullen and White’s replacements, Billy Napier and Todd Golden, will play a big part in the optics of Stricklin this year. Successful years from two hires with success only at the mid-major level will make Stricklin look genius. The recruiting efforts of both coaches will also be a large factor. What could be the most important issue, though, is the emergence of name, image and likeness.

Powerful NIL collectives are becoming a necessary tool for premier collegiate pro-

grams. The Gator Collective has allowed Florida to gain some momentum, but creating a nationally recognized NIL collective could do a lot for securing Stricklin’s job.

Stricklin certainly doesn’t have it easy.

He’s caught in a period of evolution for college sports and is running a program stuck in limbo compared to its previous heights.

It will take significant results for Stricklin to satisfy Gators fans and boosters, and it’s not yet clear if meeting those standards is obtainable. @jaxacastellano jcastellano@alligator.org

FOOTBALL

The new student’s guide to Gators football HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW AHEAD OF THE 2022 SEASON

By Jackson Castellano Sports Writer

Florida football boasts tradition like no other. The streets of Gainesville transform into another world as UF students, alumni and fans alike gather to cheer on the Gators on fall Saturdays. Florida fans get a front row seat to the Southeastern Conference, arguably the best in college football.

For many fans, Gators football isn’t the most important thing; it’s the only thing.

First-year students, particularly those coming to UF from other states, may be unfamiliar with the institution that is UF football. The Gators’ history and culture can be intimidating and disorienting. However, once acclimated, it is an incredibly fun and rewarding fan experience.

The Florida football program experienced much turmoil to get where it is now. Instead of starting there, it’s important to know how it got to this point.

Last season, the Gators went 6-7 under former head coach Dan Mullen, their worst performance in five seasons. UF ended the year unranked and lost to the cross-state Central Florida Knights in the Gasparilla Bowl, UF’s second-straight bowl game loss.

Mullen was fired toward the tail end of the season. Although Florida showed flashes of potential, many fans felt lapses in his decision-making throughout the season, and his lack of recruiting proficiency led to UF’s downfall on multiple occasions.

No need to dwell on the past; it’s time for the present.

Head coach Billy Napier will lead the Gators this season. Like new students arriving on campus, it’s also Napier’s first year in Gainesville.

Napier spent the last four seasons with Louisiana-Lafayette, where he led the Ragin’ Cajuns to a 40-12 record and two conference titles. The Sun Belt Conference named him its coach of the year twice. Napier is taking a big step up to

the SEC, but the buzz around the 42-year-old coach is high.

The head coach is one thing, but any fan unfamiliar with the program needs to know who to look for on the field, too.

Look no further than No. 15. There are plenty of talented players on either side of the field for UF, but redshirt sophomore quarterback Anthony Richardson will likely be the star of the show.

Richardson, a Gainesville native, arrived at UF in 2020 after he graduated from Eastside High School less than 6 miles from campus. He redshirted and sat behind former quarterbacks Kyle Trask and Emory Jones for most of that season.

In 2021, Gators fans got their first full look at Richardson; it was love at first sight for many. He split snaps with Jones,

Samantha Harrison // Alligator Staff

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Anthony Richardson prepares for a pass during a spring practice Tuesday, April 5, 2022.

throwing just 64 pass attempts all year, but Richardson made use of his minimal playing time. He threw six touchdowns and 529 yards with a 59.4% completion rate. He also rushed for 401 yards and three touchdowns in fairly spectacular fashion.

By the end of the season, many viewed him as Florida’s best option under center. Richardson is already receiving hype around the Heisman trophy and NFL Draft. The field general looks primed for an exciting season at UF. On top of a new coach and signal-caller for the 2022 season, Florida football will have brand new facilities. The James W. “Bill” Heavener Football Practice Complex, which began construction in June 2020, will open its doors this season.

The state-of-the-art, $85-million practice complex spans 140,000 square feet of indoor space. It will serve not only the development of current Gators players, but the recruitment of future prospects.

Of course, none of this means very much without the onfield action, which begs the question: What can be expected from Florida this season?

Well, it’s complicated.

UF kicks off the season in unorthodox fashion, with a week one home opener against the No. 7 Utah Utes. Typically the season begins with an “easy” opponent, but a quality win to start the season could offer huge momentum.

UF will face a challenging slate of SEC opponents throughout the season. A home rematch versus Kentucky, Louisiana State coming to town in October and the Florida-Georgia game in Jacksonville stand out among the rest. The regular season is capped off in Tallahassee versus UF’s fiercest historic rival, the Florida State Seminoles.

With a new look at many of the primary positions, it’s anyone’s guess how Florida fares this season. The realistic answer is that the Gators are mediocre on paper, but will continue to improve enough in-game to give fans confidence for seasons ahead and entice future recruits.

Although winning definitely helps the fan experience, new students should be excited for their first year of Florida football. @jaxacastellano jcastellano@alligator.org

16 ALLIGATOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022