Monday, Sept. 16, 2024

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2024

VOLUME 119 - ISSUE 5 Not officially associated with the University of Florida

Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida

College rankings explained: why UF lands where it does

Different methodologies alter UF’s score

By Delia Rose Sauer Alligator Staff Writer

UF’s fall from the No. 1 public university to No. 34 in the Wall Street Journal’s most recent listing shocked students and alumni.

No longer able to sport the “Top 5” banners, students and alumni took to social media to question why a top university’s score changed so drastically.

The methodologies for each ranking list are constantly evolving. The 2024 and 2025 rankings across U.S. News & World Report and the Journal saw a change in methodology to better score universities.

James Walter, a 20-year-old UF accounting junior, was shocked when he saw how the university’s ranking dropped in the Journal’s report.

Walter thinks the new score doesn’t best represent UF, he said.

While he didn’t rely on rankings when making his decision to apply, he hopes the new ranking won’t stop students from seeing the value in attending UF. Walter said he’d be interested in seeing if the methodology for rankings changes in the future. He believed that the Journal’s methodology made sense overall. However, he found some areas odd.

The change in the Journal’s rankings may come from its change in methodology. The biggest change in UF’s score was under salary impact, where UF’s 2024 score was 84, while its 2025 score dropped to 55.

In 2024, salary impact was calculated using a graduate’s estimated salary based on their demographic profile. The Journal then integrated the state’s cost of living into its 2025 report.

“They said they used statistical modeling, which can be very

vague,” Walter said. “That wasn’t exactly easy to understand.”

He admitted he didn’t pay attention to the Journal’s rankings until UF ranked No. 1 in the 2024 report.

Before that, he focused on rankings from U.S. News & World Report, which is nationally recognized for its various college and university rankings. He wants to understand what led to such a drastic change, he said. However, he believes that UF shouldn’t only take the Journal’s ranking to heart.

“It’s best interest to count whatever sources gives them [UF] the highest ranking, but I feel like it is important to consider a wide variety of sources when looking at school rankings,” he said.

Last year, when UF lost its top five public university placement in U.S. News and World Report, its social media and marketing turned to the Journal, which last year ranked UF as the No. 1 public university in the nation. Despite dropping to No. 34 in the Journal’s 2024 rankings, UF still brands itself as the No. 1 public university in the nation on its official X account.

Each major college ranking publication the university has followed — U.S. News, The Journal and Forbes — follows different methodologies that fluctuate each year. Here is a rundown of how each ranking works.

Forbes

UF ranked No. 4 among the nation’s public universities in Forbes’ Sept. 4 report.

The first criteria Forbes considered was alumni salary (20%).

Forbes gathered earnings data to see which universities had the highestpaid graduates after graduating. The

SPORTS/SPECIAL/CUTOUT

Tennis Story description finish with comma, pg#

Freshmen have international experience.

Read more on pg. 12.

SEE RANKINGS, PAGE 3

Gabriella Aulisio // Alligator Staff

Florida quarterbacks Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway high five one another before the start of the Gator game against Texas A&M on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. Read more in Sports on pg. 12.

A Florida composting company has a checkered past. Alachua County chose it anyway.

A PROPOSED COMPOSTING FACILITY INVOLVES A COMPANY WITH A HISTORY OF STATE SCRUTINY, DEBT AND ARRESTS

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp Alligator Staff Writer

Alachua County seeks to fulfill its promise of organic waste sustainability. But it may not be all sunshine within its chosen compost company.

The county began negotiations with Jacksonvillebased Sunshine Organics & Compost June 11 to lay the groundwork for a local compost program, a pointed effort toward the joint city and county Zero Waste Strategic Plan. While the project could solve the county’s organic waste problem, the company and its co-owner come attached to a checkered past of inspection violations, debt and theft.

Sunshine Organics & Compost, co-owned by Mi-

Taxes

Residents react to presidential proposal, pg. 5

The Avenue: Meal plan

Option outside dining halls, pg. 10

chael and Christina Kelcourse, specializes in converting organic waste to either compost or biochar, a solid substance used to improve soil health and absorb carbon emissions.

“Our priorities have stayed the same with wanting to divert food waste from the landfill because of the emission problem but also have now increased to focus on the quality of soil in our country,” Christina Kelcourse said.

And when the county launched a search for someone to take on organic waste management, Michael and Christina Kelcourse answered its call.

The investigation

Founded in 2020, Sunshine Organics & Compost has encountered several roadblocks in an effort to adhere to Florida statutes.

Michael Kelcourse received a Jacksonville solid

SEE COMPOSTING, PAGE 3

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2 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2024

Today’s Weather Tailgating traditions disrupted: Miscommunication sparks parking chaos Fans faced blocked parking lots and tickets as a UF miscommunication on Sept. 7 led to confusion

By Vera Lucia Pappaterra Alligator Staff Writer

As the sea of orange and blue descended upon the University of Florida for the Gators' second home game of the season, fans who came early to set up their tailgates were greeted by an unpleasant surprise.

Roped-off parking lots and grassy areas typically used by alumni for tailgating left many struggling to find space for their tents, beach chairs and grills.

The game day excitement quickly turned into frustration as parking became a chaotic scramble, with the UF Police Department, UF Transportation and Parking Services and Shands Parking issuing a total of 43 parking violations, according to public records.

On Sept. 7, the University Athletic Association and TAPS had a “miscommunication,” according to UF’s X account, which made parking and tailgating difficult for those visiting the Swamp.

Neither the UAA nor TAPS released a statement on the situation thus far.

Fans did not stay quiet. UF alumnus Jonathan Arnholz took to X among 96 other commenters.

“Campus is completely locked down,” Arnholz wrote. “Traditional parking and tailgate spots are blocked off. UFPD and parking services are actively threatening tickets/towing.”

Arnholz went on to explain the growing concerns among fans as university officials warned of parking tickets and towing.

As Arnholz's tailgating community, filled with family and friends, arrived at their usual spot, they encountered even more challenges. “[TAPS] told us that we could still set up our tents and do the

actual tailgate partying there, but we couldn’t park the car,” he said in an interview.

The parking restrictions “soured the mood of the morning,” he added.

Three days after the game, UF released a statement on X addressing the confusion, stating: “As in the past, all parking that has traditionally been available for tailgating will remain available for the Texas A&M game and the remainder of the season.”

While this response reassured some fans, others remained skeptical about how game day parking would be handled for the rest of the season.

"You wonder if the $35 parking tickets that they’re giving out are worth the price of alienating fans and potentially big booster contributions," Arnholz said.

On the Sept. 14 game against Texas A&M, regular tailgate parking spots were not blocked off, but parking attendants were present.

Where can you park on gameday?

Parking on Gators football game days always has a high cost, and last Saturday’s miscommunication didn’t help the situation. Fans without a reserved parking pass were left scrambling for spots in public general parking areas, which are available on a first-come, firstserve basis.

Parking on sidewalks is strictly prohibited, and violators risk having their vehicles towed. To alleviate some of the parking pressure, the UAA offers shuttle services for fans who don’t have parking passes.

These shuttles pick fans up in four different spots around Gainesville campus: SF College at 3000 NW 83 St., Downtown Parking Garage at 100 SW 3 St., UF Park and Ride 2 at 3450 Hull Road and Celebration

VOLUME 119 - ISSUE 5

ISSN 0889-2423

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

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Pointe. Shuttles drop fans off near the stadium, allowing them to enjoy the pre-game festivities, including the Gator Walk Village on the North Lawn. The shuttle service is an alternative for those looking to avoid parking chaos altogether.

For fans navigating the game day maze, UAA has partnered with the Waze Traffic App to provide real-time updates and directions.

This app can help fans find the best route to the available parking lots, which include Lot 12, Lot 18, Lot 25, Lot F and others scattered across campus.

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Road Closures and Restrictions

On game days, several campus roads are closed to car traffic starting three hours before kickoff.

These include: • Gale Lemerand Drive between University Avenue and Stadium Road • Stadium Road from Gale Lemerand Drive to Fletcher Drive • University Avenue between Gale Lemerand Drive and NW 17th Street For fans trying to access parking north of Museum Road, a parking pass is required starting five hours before the game. Additionally, the northern portion of Fletcher Road is now one-way northbound, further complicating navigation around campus.

Options for Disabled Parking

For disabled fans, the UAA has reserved parking spots near the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Murphree Hall and the Infirmary Lot. However, these spaces are limited and have already been reserved for the season. Public disabled parking is available at Lot 109, located on Gale Lemerand Drive. From Lot 109, a free liftequipped shuttle service is available to transport fans to and from the stadium, starting three hours before kickoff.

Parking for Boosters and RVs

Gator Boosters have exclusive access to reserved parking on campus, including lots designated for RVs. For those who are not part of the Gator Boosters, RV parking is available at Lot 78, also known as Gators RV City, located at Florida Park. This lot opens at 4 p.m. on Fridays, and all RVs must depart by noon on Sunday. @veralupap vpappaterra@alligator.org

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Methodology varies by publication

RANKINGS, from pg. 1

next score is determined by the average debt load for students (15%). It multiplied federal loan debt per borrower by the percentage of students who used federal loans.

Graduation rate (15%) was also an important factor. It included a sixyear graduation rate that accounted for transfers, part-time students and students who had to take time off from school. Five percent of that is based on Pell Grant recipients’ graduation rates. Universities with more Pell recipients, which are students with exceptional financial need who are given federal grants to pursue a bachelor’s, graduate or professional degree, were given better scores.

Forbes also considered universities with graduates part of the current President’s Cabinet, the Supreme Court, Congress, current governors and winners of awards such as the Nobel Prize, NAACP Awards and Pulitzer Prizes.

Another factor Forbes consid-

ers is the university’s return on investment (15%). It’s determined by dividing the price of obtaining the degree by the earnings students get in comparison to the salary of a high school graduate.

The retention rate (10%) is based on the percentage of students who continue to enroll in the university after their first year. Academic success (10%) is based on the number of graduates who win scholarships and the average number of graduates who received a Ph.D. within the previous three years.

Emma Whitford, the Forbes reporter who broke down the methodology, wrote in an email response that Forbes has not decided whether their current methodology will change next year.

“Forbes overhauled its methodology in 2021 to better account for low-income student outcomes,” she wrote. “We’ve used the same methodology since.”

Wall Street Journal

UF celebrated ranking No. 1 pub-

lic university in the Wall Street Journal’s 2024 ranking. However, in the Journal’s 2025 ranking, UF ranked No. 83 overall and No. 34 among public universities.

The Journal commissioned College Pulse to survey 54,854 students and alumni between January and May 2024. The Journal then added 57,230 responses from the previous year's surveys and excluded any duplicate responses.

The Journal relies on three main components to determine their rankings: student outcomes (70%), learning environment (20%) and diversity (10%).

The student outcomes component is made up of three subcategories: salary impact (33%), years to pay off the net price (17%) and graduation rate impact (20%).

Salary impact estimates graduates’ salaries while considering the cost of living in the university’s state.

The number of years it takes to pay off the net price is determined by the average net price — the costs of tuition and fees, room and board,

Facility’s checkered past

COMPOSTING, from pg. 1

waste citation in 2021 for conducting “solid waste management” on the current facility property without proper certification. The municipal code violation came over a year before Sunshine Organics & Compost formally received a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) permit to build and operate its facility.

By March 2023, the FDEP discovered Sunshine Organics & Compost had been running business as usual without seeking state approval, revealing improperly stored organic waste and the absence of a stormwater management pond. The company had also become aware of pre-existing arsenic contamination of the site prior to the FDEP investigation, which prevented them from constructing the pond to prevent disturbing or spreading the chemical, according to the June 2024 FDEP final inspection report.

Early into the turn of a new year, an April 2024 odor complaint sparked yet another se-

ries of FDEP inspections of the Jacksonville facility. The complaint was later deemed invalid “due to the odor being organic in nature and not posing a health or environmental threat,” according to the final inspection report.

Christina Kelcourse said the complaints were “absolutely ridiculous,” emphasizing the facility’s mild “earthy” smell.

“The public thinks that food waste smells,” she said. “We get blamed because of the public perception, not because we actually smell.”

From a cluster of more than 120 homes and businesses within a quarter-mile of the site, multiple Jacksonville residents told The Alligator they had never encountered abnormal odors associated with the company.

However, the FDEP inspections unveiled a lengthy string of unrelated violations.

The new developments included another kickoff to composting prior to approval, material piles far exceeding height regulations, a lack of perimeter roads and unauthorized material compaction. The stormwater pond also remained unfinished from the year before, ac-

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 ALLIGATOR 3 and books — of attending the college and the value added to graduates’ salaries by attending the institution. The value added to a student’s earnings is based on the difference in earnings between the university’s graduates and high school graduates in the school’s state.

The Journal estimates a college’s graduation rate based on SAT and ACT exam results and the number of students with a family income of more than $110,000 per year. The reason as to why those two factors best determine the graduate rate is not clarified in the methodology. The estimate is then compared with the college’s actual graduation rate.

The learning environment category has five subcategories determined by student surveys. Learning opportunities (4%) are determined by surveys where students reflect on faculty, academic feedback and the quality of their education. Career preparation (4%) is based on student feedback on whether the university offers opportunities for networking, career advice and career support.

Another subcategory is the university’s learning facilities (4%).

Students shared whether they were

cording to the final inspection report.

Titled FDEP v. Sunshine Organics & Compost LLC and Michael Kelcourse, a consent order was issued Aug. 14. It sidled the facility with a 90-day period to pay $11,750 in fees between department costs and code violation civil penalties.

The order also provided time for the facility to resolve its problems, namely a maximum of 30 days to apply for a water management district permit to build the stormwater pond.

But Sunshine Organics & Compost still has a long road of damage control ahead following the permit’s eventual approval, including an additional 30 days to revise the site, odor control and operational plans. It would also be required to seek another round of water management approval after the pond is completed and address all remaining violations, according to the consent order.

Though Christina Kelcourse said the Alachua County facility would be “very, very similar” to its Jacksonville predecessor, Gus Olmos — the director of Alachua County’s Solid Waste Resource Recovery Department — didn’t express concern for FDEP scrutiny seeping into the county. “Those are site-specific issues,” he said. “We already have stormwater

satisfied with their school’s facilities including libraries and classrooms.

The recommendation score (4%) is based on whether students would recommend their university. The final subcategory is the character score (4%). This survey determines if students felt as if their university helped them develop wisdom, resilience and a sense of justice.

The final category in the methodology creates a diversity score for the university. Opportunities to “interact with students from different backgrounds” make up 5% of the score.

Ethnic diversity (1.7%) is based on whether two students or faculty members from the university picked at random would be of a different ethnicity.

The inclusion of students with lower family earnings (1.7%) generates a score based on the number of students receiving Pell Grants.

Lastly, the inclusion of students with disabilities weighs 1.7%.

Read the rest online at alligator.org. @_delia_rose_ drosesauer@alligator.org

facilities, so none of those things are applicable to what they were going to do here.”

Olmos said “it’s just too early” to pin down a suitable location to build the proposed facility.

Following the money

A Duval County legal complaint filed in March 2023 revealed unpaid debt from Kelco Recycling, Michael Kelcourse’s other company.

The recycling operation signed an equipment financing agreement with Financial Pacific Leasing three years prior, but its regular payments ran dry by September 2022.

In April, the case’s final judgment found Kelco Recycling liable for over $80,000 in accumulated damages and court fees, according to public Duval County court records. The Duval County judge in charge of the case also permitted the immediate return of borrowed equipment — a tub grinder — to Financial Pacific Leasing.

Read the rest online at alligator.org. @rylan_digirapp rdigiacomo-rapp@alligator.org

4 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2024

As SG elections loom, UF Supreme Court refuses to rule on constitutionality of off-campus super-district WHILE CHANGE SENATORS EXPRESS CONCERNS OVER THE MAP’S FAIRNESS, VISION OFFICIALS REMAIN SILENT

By Avery Parker Alligator Staff Writer

UF Student Government’s five off-campus voting districts will be treated as a single 37-seat district this Fall.

District D has historically supported Change Party candidates for its 12 Senate seats. It will now be combined with Districts A, B and E, which have historically leaned in favor of Vision Party, as well as District C which has tended to swing between parties.

The 37-seat model was previously applied during the Fall 2023 election as an emergency measure under the order of the UF Supreme Court as the Senate had not yet agreed upon an off-campus map. The election saw Vision Party candidates win all 37 off-campus senate seats.

The SG Senate passed the Fall 2024 Senate Reappointment Act last Spring to alter the election map per the Student Body Constitution, which orders yearly reappointment, permanently enshrining the 37-seat off-campus model.

Judiciary Chair Aaron Rubaii (Vision-Off-Campus), the legislation’s author, did not respond to requests for comment.

The 55 current and former Vision senators who voted for the map did not respond to requests for comment.

One of the new map’s main opponents, Sen. Austin Britton (Change-Graduate), a 26-year-old UF geography doctoral student, said at-large voting districts go against fair election practices.

Historically, at-large voting has been struck down in U.S. courts

due to concerns over gerrymandering and violations of the 1965 Voter Rights Act. “There is a lot of room for disenfranchisement of students,” Britton said. “It was quickly outlawed at a federal level because they realized that it was not a good way [to draw district maps].”

In response to the at-large map, Britton, who earned a master’s degree in geo-data science, proposed several alternative map models using student location data.

Ultimately, however, the Vision Caucus struck down his proposals. According to Britton, Chairman Rubaii cited concerns that, under a district model, students might vote multiple times in different districts, an argument Britton said was wrong given students must present their IDs if they wish to vote.

“They were turned against any proposal that wasn’t theirs,” Britton said. “So they keep an at-large model, which benefits them to get 37 seats.”

The Supervisor of Elections, Lexi Sederopoulos, did not respond to requests for comment on the apportionment map’s legal soundness.

The Student Body Statutes establish that proper apportionment maps should be made “with assistance from the Supervisor of Elections” appointed by the Student Body President to act as a non-partisan official. Supervisor Sederopoulos is an appointee of Student Body President John Brinkman.

During a Student Body Supreme Court hearing Sept. 6, the court’s five justices unanimously dismissed a petition to rule on the election map’s constitutionality. The justices reached their decision within the first three minutes of discussion.

The court cited a lack of jurisdiction to act “as a sounding board for whether or not any scenario or circumstance or potential action

Jea Nace // Alligator Staff

The most recently drawn election map for UF’s senate races conglomerated all off-campus districts into a single 37-seat super district, leading to accusations of gerrymandering. proposed by a petitioner is or is not constitutional.”

The SG Constitution states the Supreme Court “shall interpret any provision of the constitution or any law” if petitioned by twenty members of the Student Body or requested by the Student Body President.

Under the Court’s argument, “interpret” does not encompass rulings on the legislation’s constitutionality.

Moreover, the court argued the case had “a lack of standing because of no injury [and] no regressability.”

In the legal world, injury refers to the idea that petitioners have personally suffered some form of harm due to actions that can be traced directly back to the defendant, which is called traceability.

Alex Peterson, a 19-year-old UF history sophomore, shared his concerns about an at-large model’s ability to provide students with representatives who understand their concerns.

“In this at-large model, there’s no

guarantee that elected representatives will share specific concerns of different off-campus areas,” he said.

“Somebody living at Midtown is probably going to face different daily challenges compared to someone living southwest of campus.”

Peterson said the previous district model localized representation fairly among residence halls and off-campus housing alike. When considering the effects of the current map model, Peterson was concerned about the outcome of at-large voting in the event of either a Change or Vision victory.

“There is one party that’s going to come out and win 37 seats, and the truth is that it’s going to leave thousands of voters that are not going to have the proper representation they voted for,” he said.

Lauren Carlson, a 20-year-old UF marketing junior who previously ran for Senate, said, “The current election map, objectively, is not fair for a lot of people, specifically those in

District D.” Carlson said those who live farther off-campus will be disenfranchised by the combination of districts due to their incorporation with off-campus Greek life areas that often see large turnout numbers.

With the map change, Carlson said she expects “quite a bit of conflict” between Vision and Change during the election season.

“I understand why it would be really frustrating to see the rules constantly manipulated and twisted in the favor of Vision Party due to its strong historical ties to the Supreme Court,” she said. “Whenever the regulating body is aligned with the people they’re supposed to regulate, that’s a large conflict of interest.”

Several of the Supreme Court’s current justices are Brinkman appointees, though they are constitutionally expected to act as non-partisans.

Previous court rulings have garnered accusations of bias, such as a Spring 2023 injunction the court ordered against the gridlocked Senate, which suspended Senate operations until Change caucus and then-Gator caucus leadership could strike a deal on Senate leadership positions. Despite winning more seats than Gator Party during the Spring 2023 election, the need to strike a compromise limited Change’s Senate power.

In the end, Carlson said she hopes for high voter turnout so the Student Body can decide control of the Senate and hold parties accountable.

“We can unify together against what is an unfair districting map,” Carlson said. “As a District A voter, I’m hoping that my vote is a small drop in the pool of the tidal wave I hope is going to come.” @AveryParke98398 aparker@alligator.org

‘Keeping families together’: Local organizations continue to serve undocumented immigrants A NEW PROGRAM UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WILL HELP IMMIGRANT FAMILIES REQUESTING PAROLE

By Vivienne Serret Alligator Staff Writer

When Angel first came to the United States from South America, he hadn’t anticipated the heartache he’d experience.

Angel, 42, came to the U.S. undocumented in September 2022. He sought a better life with more opportunities for his family, but was forced to leave one of his sons behind in their home country of Venezuela.

After spending two grueling months in Ecuador, Angel, whose last name has been removed because of his undocumented status, reached the U.S. and established himself in Miami. He was eventually able to bring his mother, wife and one of his sons with him, but still has several brothers and a child in Venezuela that he hopes to be reunited with in the U.S. one day.

For now, he said he’s still fighting a battle to get himself and his family legal residency, and he moved his family from Miami to Missouri last month for his application.

He’s currently waiting for a judge to set a court date and approve him for residency.

“When it’s time for my court date, and I

need an attorney to help represent me, my wife and son, I need to have around $12,000 or $15,000,” Angel said in Spanish.

Angel is the only one working to provide for his family and has multiple jobs, including driving for Uber. It’s difficult to save up because his court date could be set at any moment, Angel said, but it’s not impossible.

“When someone goes to their court date without an attorney, about 90% of the time a judge will deny your residency application even if you have all your supporting documents,” Angel said.

For many undocumented immigrants like Angel, fighting the stigma of being undocumented while finding adequate resources can be a difficult process. The Florida Immigrant Coalition, a grassroots movement led by diverse membership throughout the state, is working on outreach for a new program that may make the process easier for many Florida families.

Keeping Families Together Program

On June 17, the Biden Administration announced the Keeping Families Together program, formerly known as “Parole in Place for Undocumented Spouses.” The program was formally implemented by the Department of Homeland Security Aug. 19 and will create a pathway for undocumented individuals to stay in the U.S. while applying for

residency. Under the previous version of the program, applicants had to return to their country of origin while applying.

Keeping Families Together will impact an estimated 500,000 families, including 27,000 families in Florida.

On Aug. 26, District Court Judge J. Campbell Barker issued a two-week administrative hold due to a lawsuit filed by Texas, Florida and 14 other states. The pending lawsuit and administrative hold prohibit incoming applications for the Keeping Families Together program from being approved on the basis that the program may violate federal immigration laws.

On Sept. 11, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ordered for proceedings in the district court to be halted, which prevents applications from being approved indefinitely, according to the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.

Applications can still be received in the meantime through the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.

Despite the current lawsuit, the program will be a huge relief for many families, Florida Immigrant Coalition federal campaign lead Yareliz Mendez-Zamora said.

“They sued over this program, claiming that it violates various parts of the Constitution, and it’s a part of… President Biden’s open border policy, which it’s not,” Mendez-Zamora said.

The application has a $580 filing fee and no fee waiver, which can be a barrier for program applicants who are already financially struggling. Mendez-Zamora declined to comment on the absence of a fee waiver.

Local immigration resources

Joan Anderson is a program coordinator for Baker Interfaith Friends, a volunteer visitation group visiting people in an immigration detention center in Baker County, about an hour north from Gainesville. The group has been visiting people in ICE detention for the last nine years, Anderson said, and provides support to the families who are left behind when people are taken into detention.

“To be a presence there is so important to people inside,” Anderson said. “Because they feel like somebody will hear them, somebody will see them and that’s so that’s so important.”

The Keeping Families Together program applies to many of the people the Baker Interfaith Friends volunteers visit, Anderson said. Many who are detained by ICE have very little contact with the outside world, she added.

Read the rest online at alligator.org. @vivienneserret vserret@alligator.org

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 ALLIGATOR 5

What do Gainesville’s service workers think of ‘no tax on tips’?

Both 2024 presidential candidates have proposed eliminating income tax on tips

By Natalie Kaufman Alligator Staff Writer

Presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump don’t often agree, yet both have proposed eliminating the federal income tax on tips.

The policy seems like a boon to low- and middleincome earners, but many do not make enough to owe federal income tax anyway. ‘No tax on tips’ would only benefit 2.5% of the workforce.

A mere 5% of employees paid in the bottom quarter of wages — those who earn less than $18 an hour — work in tipped capacities. This cohort is disproportionately young; the median age of tipped earners is 31, and a third are below 25.

That includes baristas like Andrea Jimenez, a 19-yearold UF nutritional science sophomore.

Jimenez works at Concord Coffee on West University Avenue and estimates about half of her pay comes from tips. She said she welcomes service-worker-friendly amendments to the tax code.

“Obviously, I would love it if I didn’t have to declare tax on my tips,” she said.

Though inflation has cooled, Jimenez said she and others still feel squeezed.

“In this economy, it’s really hard, and so many people are complaining,“ she said.

If even the most ideologically disparate candidates agree to address workers’ pay, Jimenez added, “Maybe it’s a problem. Maybe [people should] pay attention to it.”

Trump announced a ‘no tax on tips’ proposal in the battleground state of Nevada, where leisure and hospitality make up one in four jobs. Harris later added it to her campaign platform as the policy gained traction in Reno and Las Vegas.

UF political science professor David Macdonald said proposing to eliminate taxes on tips is pure political posturing.

Macdonald cited the economy as a top-of-mind issue for voters but said tax policy is less salient than inflation and the cost of living. But promising to champion the in-

terests of the working class is broadly attractive to swaths of the persuadable electorate, Macdonald said.

“With two parties instead of ten parties, they have to pitch this big tent and appeal to as many groups as possible,” he said.

Roger Austin, who teaches campaign management at UF, agrees with Macdonald — invoking pro-worker rhetoric was a solid political move for both presidential candidates.

Austin, however, said he identifies with ‘tip fatigue,’ exhausted with the pressure to leave a trail of loose bills everywhere.

“I’m going to certainly start leaving a tip jar in front of my classes and say, ‘Do you like today’s lecture? Give me 10%,’” Austin said.

Local Jimmy John’s assistant manager and delivery driver Sergei Klein, 25, is also unsure tips need more protection. Klein estimates half his pay comes from tips but remains skeptical that a policy exempting those earnings from taxes would substantially affect his finances. Even if it did, he doesn’t think that’s necessary.

Although he appreciates customers’ generosity, Klein said patrons are justified in wondering why they must tip on an order with a built-in delivery fee.

Klein also laments the rise of automatic tipping, and he’s in good company. More than seven in 10 Americans believe tip expectations have substantially increased in the past five years, appearing in unexpected places like self-service kiosks in airports, restaurants and stadiums.

Jada Hopkins, a 15-year-old high school sophomore, works as a server at The Teacher’s Ade in City Food Hall.

Unlike others annoyed with the ubiquity of tip screens, Hopkins said tips are often well-deserved.

Understanding what it’s like to work for every dollar and cent, Hopkins said she liberally doles out tips to others.

According to the Center for Economic Policy and Research, tips subsidize wages, enabling employers to pay tip earners less than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 and that of their state. Florida’s minimum wage is $12.

About 37% of Americans believe employers should increase pay instead of expecting customers to foot the bill.

Ryan Friedenberg // Alligator Staff

SmashCity Gainesville employee Diamond Richards stands behind a tipping screen on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024.

Josiah Lloyd, 35, disagrees. Lloyd is a tattoo artist who works on commission at Bodytech, a local tattoo and piercing shop. He estimates that tips compose 10% of his income, a pay structure he’d much prefer to a fixed rate.

Working for tips incentivizes Lloyd to uphold a standard of excellence for his clients. “[Tips encourage] you to remember the person’s name, who their family is, what’s going on in their lives,” Lloyd said. “You make that extra money because of being involved.” Lloyd predicts a ‘no tax on tips’ policy would be only nominally helpful for him.

Seventeen-year-old UF business freshman Mariana Anidos, who works at Just Salad, agrees with Lloyd — gratuities motivate her to provide top-notch customer service.

Anidos believes she and other service workers should not pay taxes on their tipped income.

“They deserve the full tip if they’re the ones that earned it,” she said.

But if Anidos could cast a ballot in November, a ‘no tax on tips’ policy wouldn’t influence her vote.

“It would definitely make me think,” she said, “but it wouldn’t make my decision for me.”

Presidential debate sparks watch parties across Gainesville Students, community members gathered to watch Trump and Harris’ first debate

By Morgan Vanderlaan Alligator Staff Writer

People at watch parties across Gainesville sat with their eyes glued to the screen Sept. 10, tuning into the first presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

From border concerns to “the opportunity economy,” both Trump and Harris did not shy away from tough topics on the Philadelphia stage. In 90 minutes, both candidates were tasked with presenting their own policy points while also defending themselves from opposing attacks.

The Swamp, the iconic off-campus staple on Southwest Second Avenue, hosted a watch party for anyone to attend. With chairs clustered around the outdoor projector and red and blue Jell-O shot containers scattered across the patio, audience members attentively listened to both candidates. Signs reading “Harris-Walz” and “Democrats for Trump” were boasted at opposing tables, lifted with accompanying cheers and boos.

The Swamp is traditionally a conservative place, especially on game days, said Matt O’Hara, a 20-year-old UF material science and engineering junior. O’Hara came

to The Swamp to view the debate with friends and was surprised to see people of so many different ideologies packing the restaurant’s outdoor seating, he said.

“I haven’t seen a lot of compelling evidence for either side, to be honest,” he said. “If you walked in here with a view, you’re staying that way tonight.”

O’Hara said his mind was already made up in favor of Trump because of his stance on abortion, but he thought the performance of both candidates was somewhat lackluster.

As an already engaged political participant, the debate reinforced Harris as the right candidate for Alex Certo, a 21-yearold UF data science senior.

Most people watching the debate already have their minds made up, Certo said, but hopefully, this can sway voters who are still in the middle.

“She [Harris] appealed to centrist voters, and he [Trump] appealed to far-right [voters],” she said. “I’m genuinely at a loss at how Trump supporters exist, but I’ve felt that way since 2016.”

Certo said Harris touched on every topic she hoped she would and was very pleased with her performance overall.

Bingo boards cataloging both candidates’ performances sat in front of audi-

ence members with categories like “Florida mention” and “Komrade Kamala,” as tables ordered second rounds of appetizers and drinks across the restaurant.

It was an environment where Democrats, Republicans, moderates and extremists could come together, said Tomas Mosquera, a 20-year-old UF political science junior.

Mosquera identifies as a traditional Ronald Reagan Republican, not a MAGA Republican, he said. Going into the debate, Mosquera said he was partially undecided.

“I’m definitely upset with Donald Trump. I don’t like and I don’t trust Kamala Harris either, so I still don’t have a definite decision,” he said. “I’m still leaning with Donald Trump because he does have some policies that I like.”

Mosquera said if he had to judge a winner of the debate, he would choose Harris.

Before the debate began, community leaders backing Harris set up booths at Gainesville’s Heartwood Soundstage for the Women for Harris watch party. Harris supporters offered pamphlets on topics ranging from gun safety to Amendment 4, advocating for extended abortion rights in Florida.

This may be the most impactful debate ever between two candidates, said Flor-

@Nat_Kauf nkaufman@alligator.org ida state Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson, DGainesville. It also could be the first time many young people who have never voted before are paying attention to the candidates, she added.

“I hope they get to talk about real kitchen table issues, and not just the BS that he [Trump] wants to talk about,” she said before the debate.

However, Hayes Hinson said she doesn’t think the performance would have much of an impact on the polls. People have already decided who they’re going to vote for, she said.

At an additional watch party hosted by the UF College Republicans, the only campus watch party according to the organization’s Instagram, laughter and jokes erupted throughout the debate.

Every member in attendance, including the organization’s leadership, declined requests to comment when asked for an interview from The Alligator.

The next debate is the Vice Presidential debate on Oct. 1. The general election is Nov. 5, with Oct. 7 being the last day for voter registration in Florida.

Vivienne Serret contributed to this report. @morgvande mvanderlaan@alligator.org vserret@alligator.org @vivienneserret

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 www.alligator.org/section/opinions

Column

Just say no to 2

I

t’s no coincidence that Florida Amendment 2 appeared on the ballot on the heels of the state’s failed attempt to destroy nine state parks.

Amendment 2 is written with a hokeyness that smells of warm apple pie and waves Old Glory to make us cozy up to the idea that fishing and hunting must be constitutional, even though these rights as a statute have never been questioned.

A constitutional right is permanent, and a statute may be amended annually as needed.

This Trojan horse called Amendment 2 uses heartwarmingly folksy and vague words: to fish and hunt “by traditional methods” and “by preferred means.” However, “traditional and preferred” may include regressive, outlawed methods, such as gill nets, spears, poisons, clubs and metal traps. All became illegal with good reason: they are inhumane and/or indiscriminate.

Nevertheless, the amendment seeks to establish traditional methods “as a public right and preferred means of responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife,” even though nonlethal methods of wildlife management have proven highly effective.

Historically, a lack of limits on the general public and commercial fisheries proved that “responsible management” ended when Florida’s seafood became wildly desirable up and down the Atlantic coast in the 19th and into the 20th centuries. Ten years after Florida gained statehood, controlling the harvest of fish and wildlife proved so disastrous that the first fishing regulation became law in 1855 and hunting permits were required in 1875. In 1879, some counties hired fish “bailiffs” to regulate fishing and fisheries in the wake of rapidly decreasing marine populations. Calling unregulated fishing “constitutional” will not increase marine life nor inspire altruistic self-regulation.

Gulf marine life is also gobsmacked by the increasing spread of the deadly red tide born from nitrogen and phosphorous runoffs. Florida statutes permit bans on fishing during red tide to protect humans from neurotoxin poisoning, paralysis, memory loss, asthma attacks and even death. Red tide is also deadly to marine birds, mammals like otters, crustaceans and fish. The smalltooth sawfish has been endangered since 2007.

The vast schools of grouper, redfish and snapper that once trawled our coast are no more. It’s estimated that

Column

grouper and snapper have been overfished by 85%. Florida statute forbids gill nets, called “walls of death,” that capture manatees, turtles, dolphins and sharks instead of the targeted fish. When nets are abandoned or torn loose by storms, they snag and doom marine life for years. Regulation is vital.

Jane Edwards opinions@alligator.org Unregulated hunting reduced the Florida black bear population to a few hundred in the 1970s. One of conservation’s most effective efforts increased their numbers to 4,000. A state bear kill was reopened in 2015 but has been closed ever since because in two days, nearly 300 bears were killed. In the panhandle, by midday 122 were killed, three times the legal limit of 40 allotted for the entire panhandle. The stage was set for this shocking slaughter when the state sold an unconscionably high 3,200 permits.

The Second Amendment flies over-the-top when it declares the right to to hunt and fish is a “public right,” wording that is used for no other right in our constitution, including our fundamental rights — and including the right to protect our private property from armed hunters.

The original NRA proposal for this amendment stated, “This section [hunters’ rights to enter private property] shall not be construed to modify any provision of law relating to trespass or property rights.” However, the Florida Legislature dropped that crucial restriction. Amendment 2 could override property owners’ rights to restrict hunting on their land.

Amendment 2 says it won’t limit the authority of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, but it widely opens the door to the necessity for lawsuits to once again fight to restrict “traditional methods” if such barbaric killing is jingoistically considered “constitutional rights.”

Amendment 2 is a wolf in sheepskin intended to disarm the protections put in place decades ago. Remember that a statute is updated annually and allows opportunities for fine tuning by scientists, conservationists, representatives and the public in statewide elections.

Amendment 2 stokes red-white-and-blue sentiments of beloved traditions and God-given rights to the great outdoors. But rolling back protections of our wildlife could destroy our “public right” to enjoy Florida’s gifts.

Our rights to hunt, fish and protect our property will remain secure as long as we are active caretakers. Vote no on 2!

The invisible lid freshmen forget exist

I

n my first weeks at UF, I’ve noticed an overwhelming sentiment among freshmen: people you don’t know suddenly feel much more approachable. In some ways, I’ve felt this myself. I have almost surely spoken to more people in the last week than all of my years of high school combined.

Most of the people I talk to seem to feel Ethan Niser that the students here at UF are nicer and opinions@alligator.org more approachable. Although I would love for UF to be unique in that way, I would challenge that the university is an outlier. I argue that the people here aren’t necessarily more likely to say “hi” or strike up a conversation than anywhere else. Consider the opposite: this would mean that UF somehow admits only the most friendly and outgoing students — a quality I don’t think is measured on the Common App. But this sentiment is clearly real, so if the people aren’t different, what is?

Moving away to college is a significant shift for most people. Being away from home for the first time, starting with few or no friends and facing a vast ocean of new experiences can be overwhelming.

What do people do when they don’t have friends? They seek new ones. For some, this means reaching out to new people, and for others, it means being open to those who reach out to them.

The incentives have changed, but the people behind them haven’t. To me, most people are equally willing to form new connections, whether they’re in the first week of college or back home.

The only obstacle is people have built up a wall in their head that once the cliques settle, that’s final. Only an environment change as extreme as moving to college can change their friend group.

This phenomenon reminds me of the “fleas in a jar” experiment, in which a temporary change causes a permanent effect. In this experiment, fleas are placed in a jar. The fleas, who are capable of jumping past the rim of the jar, do so regularly. Next, a lid is placed on the jar and the fleas are left for three days. When the lid is removed, the fleas will never again jump past the height of the lid for the rest of their lives.

When you go home for the holidays, start your new internship or just walk around a public park, I challenge you to treat meeting new people with the same fervor that college freshmen have during their first week. I think you’ll be surprised how many people reciprocate.

Will everyone? Obviously not, but you weren’t going to talk to them anyway before, so you haven’t lost anything.

You’ve been placed in a new jar, and it feels great to jump high again. But as time passes, friend groups settle and you grow up, remember — the lid is only in your head.

Jane Edwards is a UF alumni. Her family has lived in Florida for eight generations.

Ethan Niser is a UF computer science freshman.

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Alligator.

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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Column

Senate Bill 148: The role of education and its necessary securities

S

enate Bill 148 has been deemed necessary in Florida’s public universities. This bill encompasses the required audit for Jewish-related courses. Ray Rodrigues, Florida Chancellor of State Education, says in congruence with Gov. Ron DeSantis’s instruction, there will be a need for an outside committee that reviews each Jewish-related course. While this might seem to have elements of control over free expression in college education, these acts have been made in reaction to antisemitic course material in FIU’s Jewish-related courses. A multiple-choice test question asked, “if Zionist organizations invented terrorism.” This was a terrible sight to witness.

Rodrigues states the terms this committee should look for when detecting anti-semitic material are the following:

“Israel, Israeli, Palestine, Palestinian, Middle East, Zionism, Zionist, Judaism, Jewish or Jews.” While these words alone do not present an antisemitic narrative, Rodrigues notes the definition of anti-semitism using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition: “claim that the existence of the State of Israel is a racist endeavor.”

I align ideologically with Thomas Jefferson’s principles of free inquiry through the role of education, however, I find it necessary to establish the safety of citizens beforehand. In the case of education, information in college courses can be potentially harmful to specific minorities.

Professors should have careful consideration in what they decide to relay to their students.

After the attacks of Oct. 7, many Jewish schools were targeted. According to the Anti Defamation League, an

organization that tracks anti-semitism, “312 antisemitic incidents between Oct. 7-23, 2023, 190 of which were directly linked to the war in Israel and Gaza.” The connection between the Israeli-Hamas War and its impact on antisemitism in the U.S. can be seen in the aftermath of Oct. 7. This became Abraham Hilu more personal when my father told me opinions@alligator.org that a suspect was found with firearms not too far from my little brother’s school. This disturbed me and created genuine concern for my family’s safety.

Abraham Hilu is a UF political science senior.

Column

No fats. No fems. The plight of the gay community

E

very gay person dabbles in the trifecta of dating apps. Grinder, Scruff, Tinder and maybe even Sniffles for the occasional anonymous hook up that somehow always takes place in a random gas station bathroom — giving a whole new meaning to pit stops.

But we’ve all seen the same perfectly curated bio where instead of normally dictating likes and dislikes to potential matches, people take it one step further.

“No Fats. No Fems. No Asians.” There are various bios with different distinctions that all follow this similar sentiment of excluding groups of queer people in the name of preference. Is this truly just a preference, or have we exemplified the division of an already marginalized community through discriminatory phrases under the guise of preference?

Horizontal inequality, a term coined by economist Frances Stewart, refers to inequality between individuals or households. In this case, it applies to distinct social groups, which are often marginalized

communities that have fostered tension and conflict due to a long history of discrimination and prejudice.

Since the beginning of the gay civil rights movement, we’ve seen a major distinction between white queer men and queer people of color. Hence the development of Black and brown queer communities forming spaces where they can sustain and develop social networks and cultural groups — a prime example being the ballroom scene. A major divide in an already marginalized community is rooted in a subconscious need for climbing the societal ladder characterized by white heteronormative standards. White queer men already facing discrimination for their identity as a queer person find it necessary to develop a need of superiority among their peers as a means to further alienate themselves from these predetermined ideas of what queerness is.

Being a queer person of color creates a culmination of discrimination across more than one area of their identity. Considering how white heteronormativity became

the standard, it ultimately leaves Black and brown people with an entirely different experience. Having these phrases in your bio in the name of preference ultimately highlights your disdain against femininity and human decency. It’s one thing to have a preference, but a lot of queer men take these sentiments to another level.

We’ve heard that certain queer men are considered to be “too much.” But at what point did we equate femininity to queerness rather than a cultivation of their personality and its expression? It’s this distinction that highlights gay men’s need for traditional gender roles and rigid body standards that are inherently rooted in one’s own insecurity and lack of understanding of themselves and their queerness.

As queer people we have the privilege of breaking away from heteronormative expectations, and bringing heteronormativity into queer relationships ultimately harm us. Unpacking these ideas and how queer sex and relationships function should ultimately be used as a mode in which we navigate our

sexuality rather than indoctrinating it into our queerness. Gay people aren’t a monolith and being queer isn’t something that forces us to express ourselves one way or Eriel Pichardo another. In order to opinions@alligator.org be a part of the queer community, you do have to have an understanding of queerness as it’s the foundation of being a part of any kind of community. Otherwise you hurt people in the community and create a divide that highlights the lack of understanding of queerness and queer politics in the context of how we navigate the world.

As a community we have to uplift and unite. That starts with dissecting and deconstructing harmful rhetoric that ultimately divides and pushes dangerous expectations onto our identities as queer people.

Eriel Pichardo is a UF English major.

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Alligator.

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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Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc. d/b/a UF Health Shands in Gainesville, Florida is seeking an IS Application Analyst 2 responsible for coordinating transplant information from several sources (both internal and external), analyzing that data and summarizing the information to draw conclusions and make decisions in collaboration with the various multi-disciplinary solid organ teams.

Individual will utilize policies, existing knowledge bases and tools available (to include statistical analyses packages) to assist in formulation of recommendations. The employee must assimilate customer requirements, utilize standard IS methodologies, and gather information from various sources when designing solutions for business needs for projects with defined scope (currently key database tools are the OTTR Transplant Database, Epic Electronic Health Record, Decision Support databases, and data provided by outside Transplant Registries).

This position will also provide support to the Info System Specialists and the Information Services Department.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in computer science or closely related field + 3 years of relevant work experience. In the alternative, employer will accept an applicant with 5 years of relevant work experience.

Examples of the required work experience include healthcare experience, project management, programming/coding, or system implementation coordination. Must also have experience using software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases.

To apply please visit the UF Health Shands Career site at https://shands.careers.ufhealth. org/ and search for Job Opening 42452.

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 www.alligator.org/section/the_avenue

FOOD

What to know about a new student meal plan alternative THE BITE CLUB MEAL PLAN HAS PARTNERED WITH 19 RESTAURANTS IN GAINESVILLE

By Rachel Mish Avenue Staff Writers

UF’s on-campus meal plans are abundantly used by students but lack one essential feature: off-campus dining.

Bite Club Meal Plan, the newest entrant in Gainesville’s culinary market, allows students to eat at off-campus restaurants with meal credits. The plan is not affiliated with UF or Santa Fe College but intends to feed those students, hoping to attract attention for its unique policy — meal credits that roll over until graduation.

Bite Club hopes to capitalize on student

dissatisfaction with university dining by diverting attention from dining halls to restaurants, its founder said.

Jack Warman, the 28-year-old Bite Club Meal Plan founder and master’s of marketing senior at UF, was inspired to create the plan because of his own dissatisfaction with meal plans.

“I remembered getting roped into my meal plan freshman year and really being unsatisfied, wasting all the money,” he said.

Warman said he was determined to find a way to better serve students.

“We looked to create an alternative meal plan for UF and Santa Fe students that they can use instead of going to the dining halls,” he said. “I hate dining halls.”

The meal plan has paired with 19 restaurants around the Gainesville area, he said, including Chicken Salad Chick, Gumby’s Pizza,

Burrito Famous and PrimoHoagies.

Students and their families can purchase credits from the Bite Club website and use the app to order ahead from restaurants near campus free of extra charge.

Credits are based on a one-to-one ratio, meaning every credit purchased is equal to $1 at the restaurant. Credits are currently available for purchase in packs of 20, 50, 100, 400 and 2,000, ranging from $22 to $2,000.

Plans can also be purchased with 529 college saving plans, allowing more flexibility for students, Warman said.

Unlike the meal plans traditionally sold, Bite Club does not impose a specific time frame upon students to finish their credits, Warman said. Bite Club also sports its own website and mobile app, allowing students and their parents the option to purchase credits.

Under Florida Fresh Dining, students can only use credits for on-campus locations. Bite Club offers the opposite, featuring exclusively off-campus restaurants.

Bite Club Meal Plan didn’t come to Gainesville by accident.

Warman began to work in the food tech industry after graduating from Florida State University in 2014 with a degree in finance and entrepreneurship. Before returning to UF for his master’s, he worked with companies similar to Bite Club.

There was a hole in the market, stemming directly from Gainesville, Warman said.

Read the rest online at alligator.org/ section/the_avenue. @mish_rache62827 rmisch@alligator.org

CULTURE

Harn Museum kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month THE MUSEUM INVITED CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO CELEBRATE THE LATIN AMERICAN COMMUNITY

By Juliana DeFilippo Avenue Staff Writers

The Harn Museum of Art hosted a variety of Latin American student and community organizations Sept. 12 as part of its Museum Nights event to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month.

The event included the first night of the Latina Women’s League’s 20th annual Latino Film Festival, as well as museum-organized crafts and collaborative artworks. University organizations like the Center for Latin American Studies and the Hispanic Student Association tabled at the event, inviting guests to learn more about their programs.

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“It brings visibility to the Harn, but then it also brings visibility to the Latin American heritage [through] art, activities, culture,” said Tami Wroath, 49, director of public relations and marketing for the Harn.

As part of its ongoing effort to draw more students to the museum, the Harn works with a team of UF students called the Museum University Student Educators, who meet weekly to discuss and plan upcoming events and how to promote them to other students.

The MUSEs coordinated the activities held at this Art After Dark event, drawing inspiration from artistic traditions of Central and South America, as well as works by Latin American artists currently in the museum’s collection.

These activities included making paper flowers, based on the Mexican tradition of decorating churches with paper flowers during the winter, as well as contributing to a collaborative mural, based on the work La Ofrenda by Miguel Arzabe. The museum allowed visitors to add to three different canvases,

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each with its own theme: food, music, and identity and culture.

“We invited participants to come up and write their response to our prompts about the three topics, just asking what they love, what’s special to them, what ties them to their culture, and then they got to weave it into our canvases and create our own community,” said Brianna Lapwing, a UF business administration senior and a MUSE at The Harn.

Errol Nelson, a 31-year-old student engagement manager for the Harn, works with the MUSEs to promote outreach to both UF students and the broader Gainesville community. He and the MUSE team met on Wednesdays and worked together to contact the groups that were featured at the event, including Gator Salsa and the Center for Latin American Studies.

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El Caimán

LUNES, 16 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2024 www.alligator.org/section/elcaiman

'Keeping Families Together': Organizaciones locales continúan sirviendo a inmigrantes indocumentados UN NUEVO PROGRAMA BAJO LA ADMINISTRACIÓN DE BIDEN AYUDARÁ A LAS FAMILIAS INMIGRANTES QUE SOLICITEN LIBERTAD CONDICIONAL Por Vivienne Serret Escritora de El Caimán

Traducido por Eneida Escobar Esritora de El Caimán

Cuando Ángel llegó por primera vez a Estados Unidos desde Sudamérica, no había anticipado el dolor que experimentaría. Ángel, de 42 años, llegó a los Estados Unidos indocumentado en septiembre de 2022. Buscaba una vida mejor con más oportunidades para su familia, pero se vio obligado a dejar a uno de sus hijos en su país natal, Venezuela.

Después de pasar dos arduos meses en Ecuador, Ángel, cuyo apellido ha sido omitido por su estatus de indocumentado, llegó a los Estados Unidos y se estableció en Miami.

Finalmente, pudo traer a su madre, esposa y a uno de sus hijos con él, pero aún tiene varios hermanos y un hijo en Venezuela con los que espera reunirse algún día en los Estados Unidos.

Por ahora, dijo que aún está luchando para obtener la residencia legal para él y su familia, y el mes pasado se mudó de Miami a Missouri

para avanzar en su solicitud. Actualmente está esperando que un juez fije una fecha de audiencia y lo apruebe para la residencia.

“Cuando llegue el momento de mi audiencia y necesite un abogado para que me represente a mí, a mi esposa y a mi hijo, debo tener entre 12.000 y 15.000 dólares”, dijo Ángel. Ángel es el único que trabaja para mantener a su familia y tiene múltiples empleos, incluido conducir para Uber. Es difícil ahorrar porque su audiencia podría fijarse en cualquier momento, dijo Ángel, pero no es imposible.

“Cuando alguien va a su audiencia sin abogado, aproximadamente el 90% de las veces un juez negará su solicitud de residencia, incluso si tiene todos los documentos de respaldo”, dijo Ángel.

Para muchos inmigrantes indocumentados como Ángel, luchar contra el estigma de ser indocumentado mientras se buscan recursos adecuados puede ser un proceso difícil.

La Coalición de Inmigrantes de Florida, un movimiento comunitario liderado por miembros diversos en todo el estado, está trabajando en la divulgación de un nuevo programa que podría facilitar el proceso para muchas familias en Florida.

Programa “Keeping Families Together”

El 17 de junio, la administración de Biden anunció el programa conocido por su nombre en inglés Keeping Families Together, anteriormente conocido como “Parole in Place for Undocumented Spouses.” El

programa fue formalmente implementado por el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional el 19 de agosto y creará un camino para que los individuos indocumentados permanezcan en los Estados Unidos mientras solicitan la residencia. Bajo la versión anterior del programa, los solicitantes debían regresar a su país de origen mientras realizaban la solicitud.

Keeping Families Together impactará a unas 500.000 familias, incluidas 27.000 familias en Florida.

El 26 de agosto, el juez de distrito J. Campbell Barker emitió una suspensión administrativa de dos semanas debido a una demanda presentada por Texas, Florida y otros 14 estados. La demanda y la suspension administrativa impiden que se aprueben las solicitudes entrantes para el programa Keeping Families Together, basándose en que el programa podría violar las leyes federales de inmigración.

El 11 de septiembre, el Tribunal de Apelaciones del Quinto Circuito ordenó la suspensión de los procedimientos en el tribunal de distrito, lo que impide que se aprueben solicitudes de manera indefinida, según el Centro de Recursos Legales para Inmigrantes .

Mientras tanto, las solicitudes aún se pueden enviar a través del sitio web oficial de los Servicios de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de los Estados Unidos.

A pesar de la demanda actual, el programa será un gran alivio para muchas familias, dijo Yareliz Mendez-Zamora, líder de campaña

federal de la Coalición de Inmigrantes de Florida.

“Demandaron por este programa, alegando que viola varias partes de la Constitución y que es parte de la política de fronteras abiertas del presidente Biden, lo cual no es cierto”, dijo Mendez-Zamora.

La solicitud tiene un costo de presentación de $580 y no incluye una exención de tarifas, lo que puede ser un obstáculo para los solicitantes del programa que ya están pasando por dificultades financieras. Mendez-Zamora se negó a comentar sobre la ausencia de una exención de tarifas.

Recursos locales de inmigración

Joan Anderson es coordinadora del programa Baker Interfaith Friends, un grupo de voluntarios que visita a personas en un centro de detención de inmigración en el condado de Baker, a aproximadamente una hora al norte de Gainesville. El grupo ha estado visitando a personas detenidas por ICE durante los últimos nueve años, dijo Anderson, y brinda apoyo a las familias que quedan atrás cuando las personas son detenidas.

Lea el resto en línea en alligator.org/section/elcaiman. @vivienneserret vserret@alligator.org @EneidaMariaEsc eescobar@alligator.org

El Museo Harn inaugura el Mes de la Herencia Hispana EL MUSEO INVITÓ A ORGANIZACIONES UNIVERSITARIAS Y COMUNITARIAS A CELEBRAR LA COMUNIDAD LATINOAMERICANA Por Juliana DeFilippo Escritora de El Caimán

Traducido por Isabela Reinoso Esritora de El Caimán

El Museo de Arte Harn acogió a diversas organizaciones estudiantiles y comunitarias latinoamericanas el 12 de septiembre como parte de su evento Noches de Museo para dar comienzo al Mes de la Herencia Hispana.

El evento incluyó la primera noche del vigésimo Festival anual de Cine Latino de la Liga de Mujeres Latinas, así como manualidades organizadas por el museo y obras de arte colaborativas. Organizaciones universitarias como el Centro de Estudios Latinoamericanos y la Asociación de Estudiantes Hispanos presentaron mesas en el evento, invitando a los invitados a conocer mejor sus programas.

“Aporta visibilidad al Harn, pero también al patrimonio latinoamericano [a través] del arte, las actividades y la cultura”, dijo Tami Wroath, de 49 años, directora de relaciones públicas y marketing del Harn.

Como parte de su esfuerzo continuo por atraer a más estudiantes al museo, el Harn trabaja con un equipo de estudiantes de la UF conocido por nombre en inglés Museum University Student Educators, que se reúne semanalmente para

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debatir y planificar los próximos actos y cómo promocionarlos entre otros estudiantes.

Los MUSE coordinaron las actividades de este evento llamado Art After Dark en inglés, inspirándose en las tradiciones artísticas de América Central y del Sur, así como en obras de artistas latinoamericanos en la colección del museo.

Estas actividades incluían hacer flores de papel, basadas en la tradición mexicana de decorar las iglesias con flores de papel durante el invierno, así como contribuir a un mural colaborativo, basado en la obra La Ofrenda de Miguel Arzabe.

El museo ofreció a los visitantes la oportunidad de contribuir a tres lienzos diferentes, cada uno con su propio tema: comida, música e identidad y cultura.

"Invitamos a los participantes a que respondieran por escrito a nuestras preguntas sobre los tres temas, preguntándoles qué les gusta, qué es especial para ellos, qué les une a su cultura, para luego tejerlo en nuestros lienzos y crear nuestra propia comunidad", dijo Brianna Lapwing, estudiante de último curso de Administración de Empresas en la UF y MUSE en The Harn.

Errol Nelson, de 31 años, gestor de la participación estudiantil en el Harn, trabaja con los MUSE para promocionar la divulgación tanto entre los estudiantes de la UF como entre la comunidad de Gainesville en general. Él y el equipo de MUSE se reunieron los miércoles y trabajaron juntos para ponerse en contacto con los grupos que se presentaron en el evento, incluidos Gator Salsa y el Centro de Estudios Latinoamericanos.

“Nos reunimos para intercambiar ideas y crear una especie de comunidad interna, de modo que podamos construir una comunidad externa con eventos como éste”, dijo Nelson.

Para Abigail Reyes, estudiante de primer año de ciencias biológicas de la UF, mudarse de Miami a Gainesville para ir a la universidad la llevó a buscar esa comunidad en

Football

Graham Mertz struggles. Read more on pg. 12.

eventos como éste.

"Siento que, especialmente aquí en Gainesville, no hay mucha representación hispana", dijo Reyes. "Veo mucha representación asiática y blanca, pero realmente no vi ninguna representación hispana. Así que fue agradable venir y ver alguna parte de donde vinimos".

La población hispana de Gainesville sigue creciendo, y el número de residentes hispanos en la ciudad ha pasado de casi 13.000 personas hace una década a más de 17.000 en la actualidad. A medida que la comunidad se expande, la Liga de Mujeres Latinas ha visto aumentar el interés por su festival anual de cine latino, que organiza desde hace 20 años.

Ericka Ghersi, presidenta de la Liga de Mujeres Latinas desde 2021, se propuso que el festival de cine volviera a tener un formato de tres semanas este año, por primera vez desde la pandemia. Ella y la Liga han trabajado para seleccionar una amplia variedad de películas que se proyectarán durante las tres semanas, incluyendo más proyecciones para niños y adolescentes.

"Creo que tenemos que abrir nuestras puertas y ser muy receptivos a las conversaciones que solemos tener después de la película con los jóvenes", dijo Ghersi. "Creo que tienen muchas cosas que decir con lo que está ocurriendo hoy en día, y usualmente no pueden hablar de ello en algunos lugares como la escuela o en casa".

Lea el resto en línea en alligator.org/section/elcaiman. @JulianaDeF58101 jdefillipo@alligator.org @isareinosod ireinoso@alligator.org

Síganos para actualizaciones

Para obtener actualizaciones de El Caimán, síganos en línea en www.alligator.org/section/elcaiman.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 www.alligator.org/section/sports

FOOTBALL

Graham Mertz learning to “appreciate life for what it is” amid chaotic start to season THE VETERAN SIGNAL-CALLER HAS ENDURED A DIFFICULT SPAN OF WEEKS SINCE A SEASON-OPENING LOSS TO MIAMI

By Jack Meyer Sports Writer

UF redshirt senior quarterback Graham Mertz entered a relatively quiet press room Sept. 14. Coming off a demoralizing 33-20 loss to Texas A&M, Mertz posted up in the corner of the room, surrounded by a barrage of reporters. When asked what his last 14 days had been like, Mertz let out a deep sigh.

“I’ve had a strong, hefty two weeks,” he said.

Since Florida’s season-opening loss to then-No. 19 Miami just over two weeks ago, Mertz has been hit with a variety of roadblocks and challenges. In that span, he sustained a concussion, witnessed reports of his former teammate Ricky Pearsall being shot in a robbery attempt, grieved over the death of his grandfather before the Texas A&M game and dealt with part of Florida’s fanbase favoring up-and-coming

freshman quarterback DJ Lagway.

At this point, ‘strong and hefty’ may be putting it mildly.

Things won’t get any easier for Mertz and the Gators, either.

Following the loss to A&M, reports emerged that high-ranking Florida boosters raised roughly $26 million to cover the potential buyout of UF head coach Billy Napier’s contract.

Facing an avalanche of boos from fans as he exited the field Saturday, Napier acknowledged the scrutiny he’s facing as the program continues to tumble. Despite the criticism, however, he still sees himself as the right man to turn the program around.

“The most important thing is that we make decisions with perspective,” Napier said. “All my decisions are about stewarding the people that have been entrusted to you — the players, your staff members.”

With Napier on the hot seat, a fanbase divided and a roster on pace for its fourth consecutive losing season, Florida football is in the middle of one of the most turbulent eras in program history.

Even with all the noise and personal struggles he has faced lately, Mertz made it clear he isn’t giving in to the pressure or scrutiny any time soon. The veteran signal-caller also pledged

his support to Napier following Florida’s loss to Texas A&M, come hell or high water.

“He has my absolute full support,” Mertz said. “I know everybody in the locker room trusts Coach [Napier] with everything we’ve got. It’s up to us, honestly. It’s up to us and what we do during the game. Are you playing with heart or not?”

While the results may not be what’s expected from a winloss standpoint, Mertz ranked third in the country in completion percentage in 2023. He converted on 72.9% of his pass attempts while throwing for 2,903 yards, 20 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Mertz nearly helped snap Florida’s streak of losing seasons, leading the Gators to a 5-2 record through his first seven starts. However, after sustaining a broken collarbone in a late-season contest against Missouri, Mertz was sidelined as the Gators dropped their final two games and finished under .500 for the third consecutive year.

Read the rest at alligator.org/section/sports. @jackmeyerUF jmeyer@alligator.org

WOMEN'S TENNIS

The chase for the eighth: UF women’s tennis’ international change FLORIDA LEANS ON A FOREIGN FRESHMAN CLASS IN PURSUIT OF A RETURN TO NATIONAL GLORY

By Noah White Sports Writer

When playing under the lights at Wimbledon, everything else seems only that much smaller. The spectacle, the history and the competitive nature require athletes to fine-tune their craft while remaining focused and even-keeled.

Most collegiate tennis teams don’t

get the opportunity to feature former junior grand slam participants. Florida welcomes two this fall in a talented freshman recruiting class for the Gators this season.

Florida women’s tennis head coach Roland Thornqvist added three freshmen to UF’s 2024 recruiting class, all of whom came from overseas. Talia Neilson-Gatenby is a Loughborough, England native, and Nikola Daubnerova grew up in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Both have experience in Grand Slam competitions, having won at least one match each.

Neilson-Gatenby graced the stage of Wimbledon in 2022, while Daubnerova made the

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Roland Garros quarterfinals in the same year.

Daubnerova and Neilson-Gatenby are joined

by Noémie Oliveras of St. Étienne, France, who also has professional experience, having competed at ITF World Tennis Tour events.

“We’re really happy and grateful they’re here,” Thornqvist said. “And I know that all three of them are going to play key roles in this year.”

The newcomers arrived at the right time, as the Gators are amid one of their more notable slumps in Thornqvist’s tenure regarding their production on the court.

UF’s storied program boasts seven national

championships, including three since 2011.

However, Florida has endured struggles in recent years. Since the 2017 national title, the Gators haven’t been able to make it past the Round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament Florida is now faced with the tall task of getting back to its elite status, and Thornqvist’s trio of international freshmen could play a critical role in that pursuit.

Read the rest at alligator.org/section/sports. @noahwhite1782 nwhite@alligator.org

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