The top choice for UF president was rejected. What’s next?
Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
Latest Gainesville Regional Transit System cuts leave community disappointed
Service adjustments will go into effect June 30
By Logan McBride Alligator Staff Writer
The Gainesville Regional Transit System is losing roughly $2.9 million as a result of UF decreasing its funding.
The cuts were announced during a Gainesville City Commission meeting June 5.
RTS received nearly half of its funding from UF in 2024, totaling over $14 million a year. The university originally proposed funding cuts to RTS in April 2024. One year later, it announced it would focus on its Campus Connector transportation service going forward.
The loss is about 22% of its current $12.7 million operating budget, according to a June 5 press release.
The decisions left community members disappointed and worried about the new changes.
Service adjustments
RTS will add weekend-only service to Route 126, which will operate on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Several routes have been eliminated and combined with existing service lines. Route 16 merged into Route 17, while Route 34 was absorbed by Route 12.
Route 35’s service was split between Routes 12 and 37. Route 711 was discontinued and folded into Route 11.
Realignments, updated schedules and route combinations will affect several routes. Route 1 will follow a new alignment and schedule to serve areas previ-
ously covered by Route 46.
A removed segment from Route 3 will be served by Route 7, which includes weekend service changes.
Route 6 was also realigned. Route 12 received both a new alignment and schedule to absorb the service of Routes 34 and 35.
Route 13’s schedule and alignment were modified based on public feedback, according to the press release. Route 16 also received a new alignment and schedule after combining with Route 17.
Route 20 now includes service to Cabana Beach and operates with a modified frequency, according to the press release.
Route 23 was extended to Butler Plaza and updated with a new alignment and schedule. Route 33 also received alignment and schedule updates.
SANTA ONO’S REJECTION AS UF’S 14TH PRESIDENT INDICATES A CHANGING FRONTIER FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
By Maria Avlonitis Alligator Staff Writer
The search for the University of Florida’s next president continues amid twists and turns in an increasingly heated political climate.
The Florida Board of Governors blocked Santa J. Ono’s appointment as UF’s next president June 3. This marked the first time the largely governor-appointed board rejected a Florida university’s presidential candidate since its creation in 2003.
The 10-6 vote came after a wave of conservative backlash targeting Ono and his past support of diversity initiatives. Board members interrogated Ono over his past statements, letters he signed and actions he took nearly 15 years ago.
To some, Ono represented an academic with the experience and qualifications to run a top public university, having served as president of three universities. But to many conservative Florida leaders, he represented the values they’re trying to keep out of state schools. He resigned as president of the University of Michigan after being announced as the sole finalist in UF’s presidential search May 4. Ono quickly pledged loyalty to Florida values, denouncing his past actions and stating he believes in Florida’s vision for higher education.
“This alignment signals seriousness of purpose, and it tells me that Florida is building something truly exceptional,” he wrote in an Inside Higher Ed article May 8. “I’m excited to be part of that.”
Despite his declaration of change, Ono couldn’t escape his past.
Mori Hosseini, the chair of the Board of Trustees and a major donor to Gov. Ron DeSantis, advocated for Ono since the announcement.
Hosseini pushed for UF to achieve a higher national ranking since it dropped to No. 7 after being a top-five public university. He said he’s dedicated to the goal and believed Ono would “see to it that the University of Florida continues its ascent toward becoming America’s premier public university.”
Hosseini wrote in an email to the university June 6 stating the Board of Trustees stands by the integrity of the search and Ono’s selection.
The Board of Governors rejection was “deeply disappointing,” Hosseini wrote.
The decision won’t diminish UF’s momentum, with or without Hosseini, he added.
One thing remains clear: Florida universities are now highly politicized.
A win for some Prior to the vote, conservative leaders blasted Ono, claiming he wasn’t a good fit for
Juleidi Machuca // Alligator Staff
Santa Ono responds to questions posed by the panel at the Florida Board of Governors meeting at UCF’s Downtown Campus on
Today’s Weather
UF students scramble as leases end while classes continue
Students complain about lease schedules that leave them without housing during finals
By Swasthi Maharaj Alligator Staff Writer
The first week of August has earned a nickname among students: “homeless week.”
Most off-campus apartment leases end July 31, while classes and exams continue through Aug. 8.
Jacob Mack, an 18-year-old University of Florida engineering sophomore, is one of the many students affected. He will be kicked out of his apartment at Sweetwater Gainesville July 31 and have to drive nearly two hours from his home in Jacksonville each way just to take his finals, Mack said.
With gas prices in Gainesville hovering around $3.40 per gallon as of June 7, the commute could cost Mack more than $60 on gas for two round trips. For students who rely on part-time jobs, scholarships or financial aid, it’s a meaningful and unplanned expense.
The timing discrepancy is largely due to rigid schedules where leasing companies maintain strict move-in and move-out dates. The standard lease term runs from Aug. 15 to July 31, and many complexes require a twoweek turnaround period between tenants.
The result is a gap that leaves students scrambling for housing alternatives during one of the most academically intense weeks of the semester. Some resort to crashing on friends’ couches, booking hotel rooms or commut -
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ing long distances, all while trying to focus on exams and maintaining their grades.
Lanie Gardner, a 20-year-old UF microbiology and cell science junior, said she hasn’t experienced the issue herself but has seen its impact.
Her friends and classmates have asked her if she would be willing to share her storage space with them during the week while they stayed at friends’ apartments, she said.
“It’s really hard,” Gardner said. “One of my friends said that she’s just going to get an Airbnb for that whole week because there’s just no other option.”
Hotel prices in Gainesville range from $90 to $200 per night for the month of August. While Airbnb prices may be slightly more affordable, booking one for a week can still amount to significant additional expenses depending on the location and amenities.
For some students, like those involved in sororities or other campus organizations that may require early returns to campus for fall recruitment or leadership responsibilities, Gardner said the lack of housing creates additional complications.
“It’s just an unfortunate and stressful time that many students should not have to deal with,” she said.
From a leasing perspective, the housing gap is tied to operational demands.
Macy Shultz, the assistant manager of leasing and opera -
tions at Theory Gainesville Apartments, said the two-week period between move-out and move-in is necessary. The time is used for deep cleaning, maintenance and repairs to ensure units are ready for new tenants, she said.
Jessica Woo, a 23-year-old UF alumna from the Class of 2024, said she’s dealt with this housing situation almost every summer during her time at UF. As an outof-state student from Portland, Oregon, commuting home during finals week wasn’t an option.
Woo usually stayed at friends’ apartments during the final week of the summer semester, but she said it was never comfortable.
“It was kind of stressful that I was staying at someone else’s house because I didn’t want to cause any issues to get them kicked out of their apartments,” she said.
She also struggled with parking access while staying with friends, since most apartment complexes in Gainesville charge separately for garage access and don’t include guest use. As a result, Woo often had to find alternative parking options farther away — a challenge given her work schedule.
She took up extra shifts at work to spend less time at friends’ apartments to avoid any issues with their roommates, she said.
“It added a lot of strain to my mental health and my [academic] performance,” Woo said.
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Commission approves RTS route changes
Route 75 was realigned, but its schedule remains unchanged.
Minor schedule or frequency changes were made to several other routes. Routes 5 and 8 will run at reduced frequency.
Routes 9 and 38 will no longer stop at the Reitz Union. Route 11 now includes extended night service, while Routes 15 and 26 will operate with reduced frequency, though RTS did not approve a request to fund weekend service for Route 26.
Route 37 will also experience undefined frequency adjustments, and Route 43 will return to a previous alignment with fewer scheduled trips.
No service will be provided for Routes 21, 28, 46, 76,78, 118, 122 and 127 in Summer B.
Routes 10 and 52 will continue operating without changes.
It is unknown how changing frequencies, schedules or realignments will be executed. Service adjustments will begin June 30 at the start of UF’s Summer B term.
Community reactions
Hayden Scalise, an 18-year-old incoming UF freshman attending Preview orientation, said the cuts were disappointing to hear about. With plans to start as an offcampus resident in the fall, he said busing will be his primary method of transportation.
“For them to cut that kind of feels like a big ‘Screw you,’” Scalise said.
UF talked about RTS during his Preview session at the Reitz Union but didn’t mention the incoming cuts or UF’s Campus Connector service, he said.
UF’s Campus Connector is a routebased shuttle service offered to students and staff across campus, only accessible with a mobile GATOR-ID. The connector shuttles hold 22 seats and have no standing room. Each has a maximum capacity of 40 students.
Operated by UF Transportation and Parking Services, the service runs Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Luke Pfeiffer, a 20-year-old UF chemistry sophomore, has utilized the bus system many times since arriving at UF. Once he moves off campus next year, he said he’ll use it even more. Some routes Pfeiffer takes are impacted by the cuts, either reducing in frequency or being completely cut.
“It makes it a lot harder for me to get to my classes in a reasonable amount of time,” Pfeiffer said.
He wonders where UF’s funding is going, if not towards RTS, he said. He felt programs that benefit students have deteriorated since he arrived at UF, noting parking is also more challenging for students to navigate.
Scott Challgren, a 50-year-old Gainesville resident, said he’s used RTS for years, including Route 46, which won’t be in service during Summer B.
Challgren was concerned route cuts may cut into people’s budgets, as they lose access to a reliable and affordable bus system, he said.
“I think it’ll make people have to scramble a little more,” Challgren said. “It helps people that can’t drive or don’t drive get around, go shopping.”
People can turn to options like Uber, but it’s much more expensive, he said. He also noted options like biking may not be as
safe off-campus and in greater Gainesville. There were 139 bicycle accidents reported in 2024 in Alachua County, according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, a slight increase from the 132 reported in 2023.
RTS offers a Mobility on Demand service in East Gainesville designed for underserved populations. It offers free health screenings and door-to-door transportation to clinic visits for those who can’t easily make it to bus stops or need assistance to reach their destinations. MOD offers a morning service from 5:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and afternoon and evening service from 3:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
During the city commission meeting June 5, several public commenters, including students and bus drivers, urged the commission to maintain RTS funding.
Hunter Holtsworth, an RTS driver, said he’s seen how important RTS services are to the Gainesville community, even for those who don’t use them. He believes the number of people who commute to work or school is growing quicker than the city’s infrastructure, he said.
“It is not a coincidence that the highest ridership RTS ever had was in 2019,” Holtsworth said. “It was because it was the most robust and complete service we ever have offered.”
When Holtsworth was in school, he said the only reason he was able to get to class was by taking the bus. It wouldn’t be possible for him to do so with the routes the city has today, he added.
City reactions
Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward said the
partnership between the City of Gainesville and UF through RTS is one of the “best [partnerships] there is with a transit service nationwide.” He’s sad to see that partnership begin to deteriorate, he said.
The city’s budget is less flexible this year, and Ward said it's going to be challenging to navigate the cuts, especially because Gainesville only keeps financial reserves for natural disasters.
Ridership volume associated with the UF partnership was necessary for state and federal funding and matching grants supporting transit-related projects. A portion of RTS grant funding from the Federal Transit Administration and the Florida Department of Transportation is connected to ridership volume.
FTA, FDOT and UF made up 77% of RTS operational revenue in 2024.
Ward said the city is committed to retaining RTS employees despite the upcoming cuts. While some unfilled positions may be frozen, he said the city is exploring options to prevent job losses.
“I want to make sure everybody who’s employed stays employed,” Ward said.
He said the city would explore alternative funding solutions, which could include bus stop advertising and options like an independent district to manage the bus system.
Ward encouraged citizens to make their voices heard and reach out to him, commissioners and UF officials in Tigert Hall who were involved in the decision to cut RTS funding.
“Call folks at the University of Florida and say this is not acceptable,” Ward said. “If you’re a UF student, faculty or staff, that should be a call you make.”
@logandmcbride lmcbride@alligator.org
‘Queer Eclectics’: United through division
THE EXHIBITION IS OPEN THROUGHOUT PRIDE MONTH AT LIBRARY WEST
By Autumn Johnstone Avenue Staff Writer
From going out on a Friday night to attending a weekday lecture, students find themselves in various social circles, separating each experience from the next. But for the queer community in Gainesville, their identities unite them, no matter where they may find themselves.
As soon as June 1 arrived, LGBTQ+ students’ energy transformed into something more than just vibrant colors and pride-filled celebrations.
“Queer Eclectics,” an exhibit inspired by the queer community’s diversity, was put together by UF art organization Common Craft and curated by 20-year-old UF art junior Jade Bennett.
Bennett invited queer artists from her first show, “Picking it Up,” to showcase their work in a smaller, more intimate setting near the literature and silent hallways in Library West.
The exhibition began with Bennett’s piece, “Three Women from Weimar,” which was inspired by the story of three transgender women, Lili Elbe, Charlotte Charlaque and Dora Richter, who lived during 1930s Germany. The Institute of
Sexual Science, the clinic that supported each of them during their medical transition, was the first place targeted in Nazi book burnings.
“Interwar Germany strikes me as a moment where things could have gone better than they did,” she said. “At no point was fascism inevitable until it was there, and I feel like these women who had successfully transitioned are a really compelling example of that.”
Bennett’s piece resonated with Hugo Russo, a 24-year-old UF entomology and nematology senior, who discovered the exhibition while completing homework at Library West June 1.
As a transgender man, Russo said he was comfortable enough to come out because of queer spaces, and queer representation encouraged him to begin gender-affirming care. He believes his life changed tremendously since then, he said.
“It’s so good to have [queer] spaces and see people being confident in themselves, whether or not you relate to what they’re being confident in,” Russo said.
In a time when many communities feel unsure about being themselves because of bigotry and political chaos, Russo said representation in local artwork has shown the queer community they don’t have to hide who they are.
Jillian Dahl, a 25-year-old UF graduate, included ceramic vases
called “Body Jar Set” in the exhibit due to their works’ eclectic nature. Dahl drew inspiration from bodily forms and textures to create amalgamations of feminine and masculine characteristics.
The pieces were part of their final UF exhibition, where Dahl displayed personal and "moderately risque” ceramic work.
Their work mirrors the fluidity of the queer spectrum because their sculptures depict abstract bodies that blur the lines between male and female — reflecting identities that resist singular definition. Art goes hand in hand with being in the queer community, they said.
“As far as [the] art community goes, there’s a million facets that you could go [with],” they said. “Within one medium, one person can approach it in one way, and one person can approach it in a totally different way.”
Another artist in “Queer Eclectics” is Lucy Edwards, a 19-year-old UF art junior. Many of Edwards’ works are based on the struggles queer people face because of Florida’s current political climate. Their work in the exhibition, “Fish out of Water,” is more specific to their own experiences.
Edwards ventured into the swamplands of their conservative hometown, Kissimmee, and took photographs dressed as a swamp creature.
The costume represented some-
The Queer Eclectics art exhibit at Library West showcases artists during Pride Month on Friday, June 6, 2025.
thing they find kinship with as a queer individual, where monsters are typically tied to marginalized groups, they said.
“It’s about the correlation between the anti-queer legislation, the anti-environment legislation and how the current government is trying to push out the weird, queer parts of Florida in favor of over-developed, touristy spots,” they said.
“A lot of queer people turn to media and art to find people who are like them and find representation, answers, words and pictures for how they’re feeling,” Shamblin said.
For more LGBTQ+ resources, visit the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida’s website.
@AutumnJ922 ajohnstone@alligator.org
Caswell Shamblin, a 21-year-old UF art history senior, put together more than five exhibitions during her time as Common Craft’s president. She believes “Queer Eclectics” is unique due to its location in a public space with high student traffic and a wide range of artistic mediums.
UF students, staff react to Board of Governors vote
ONO, from pg. 1
Florida’s values.
Christopher Rufo, a New College of Florida board member appointed by DeSantis, said Ono’s selection was a scandal.
“The University of Florida Board of Trustees made a colossal mistake in nominating Santa Ono,” he wrote on X. “There needs to be a new process that brings in conservative leaders, Hamilton Center scholars, and a better search firm to ensure that this debacle does not happen again.”
Rep. Byron Donalds praised Rufo for his work in exposing Ono’s “far-left record” on X. Donalds criticized Ono for his “wokeness,” and he said the Board of Governors made the right decision in rejecting Ono.
Florida Rep. Greg Steube (R-17) called for Ono’s rejection in a letter to the Board of Governors, and he celebrated on X after Ono was not confirmed.
“The Board of Governors heard us loud and clear: Santa Ono was the wrong choice for UF,” he wrote in the post.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-1) joined the opposition, and even Donald Trump Jr. spoke out to criticize Ono. Meanwhile, DeSantis was silent before and after the vote despite initially voicing his support for Ono’s candidacy.
DeSantis didn’t address Ono’s rejection when speaking at the 2025 Education Commissioner’s Summit the day after the vote.
A loss to others
While the decision was a win for conservative state officials trying to prevent “woke” figures from leading Florida’s top universities, the rejection took UF students and faculty by surprise.
Rylee Gill, a 19-year-old UF business management sophomore, said even though Ono wasn’t her favorite candidate for president, it could have been a lot worse.
But now that Ono isn’t an option, Gill said she’s concerned about who the next candidate might be.
“Now that [the board] vetoed someone who not only had qualifications but also was essentially what they were claiming was representing the brand they wanted, I think we're going to get more likely another Ben Sasse or worse,” she said.
Gill is skeptical the next candidate will have the qualifications to lead UF. Academics may be hesitant to take up the role when they “have to walk on eggshells to do research because it may be considered DEI,” she said.
She said she believes the search is going to take a long time to meet the needs of both the Board of Trustees and the Board of Governors.
“Hopefully that means Fuchs will be able to stay for a longer period, which I'm OK with,” Gill said.
Stephanie Fong, a 21-year-old UF computer science senior, said she was disappointed but not surprised by Ono’s rejection.
“It's definitely frustrating that [the board is] keeping politics so in tune with higher education,” Fong said.
She thought Ono’s former presidency at U-M made him more qualified than Ben Sasse, UF’s previous president, who was the former senator of Nebraska and had minimal university leadership experience. It’s dangerous the board is making decisions in a way that indicates they’re only looking for a candidate who shares their ideologies, she said.
Fong said she hopes the next UF president isn’t a career politician but instead someone qualified to lead the university for the sake of the students.
“I'm just hoping that [the board will] try and keep politics out of it as much as possible,” she said.
Michael Haller, a UF professor and chief of pediatric endocrinology, wrote an open letter to the Board of Governors on X to express his dismay at Ono’s rejection.
“Because of your insistence on performative politics, you chose to question him repeatedly on hot-button political issues and then refused to accept his thoughtful answers,” Haller wrote.
He said the committee failed to ask about strategic plans for UF, indicating a lack of interest in UF’s academic standing among the governors.
Haller said Ono was the most qualified candidate that could be hoped for and pointed out Ono had agreed to unusual stipulations in his contract to support DeSantis’ agenda.
Now, he doubts any qualified apolitical leader will seek out the role of UF president.
“There is no sugar coating this,” he wrote. “Your votes have irreparably harmed the University of Florida and the great state of Florida.”
Jason Jaquith, a 22-year-old UF materials science and engineering fifth-year, said they weren’t thrilled with Ono as a candidate because of some stances he took at U-M, such as backsliding on inclusivity issues.
They found it concerning the Board of Governors declared Ono not conservative enough, given his strong shift toward DeSantis’ values, they said.
It’s scary how influential DeSantis and his politics are to the flagship university of the state, they said.
“I think that the state government for a while now has been really overstepping its reach with higher education in Florida,” Jaquith said.
They said they hope the next presidential
candidate is experienced and strives for more inclusivity, promoting research, amplifying students' voices and creating a safe space for students.
“I would like to see some separation from the world of politics,” they said.
The search continues
With interim President Kent Fuchs’ contract set to end July 31, there is a lot of work to be done.
The Presidential Search Advisory Committee is back at the drawing board. The nature of the search is yet to be determined.
During the Board of Governors meeting, Hosseini said the search committee began investigating some Floridian candidates.
He said Paul Renner, a member of the Board of Governors who voted against Ono, previously expressed interest in being a UF presidential candidate.
Renner said he expressed interest before he became a board member but clarified he would not consider the position now.
Now, Ono is out of work from Michigan and Florida, and UF is still in need of a new president.
There is no clear plan from the Presidential Search Advisory Committee on how it will continue, and Hosseini’s statements did not outline any methods. Ono’s candidacy came after a five-month-long search, so there is no telling how long the next search will take.
Nonetheless, Hosseini wrote, it’s the Board of Trustees’ responsibility to “move forward with strength, purpose and an unshakable belief in UF’s future.”
Michael Goston // Alligator Staffs
MONDAY, JUNE 9, 2025
www.alligator.org/section/the_avenue
UF’s reusable water bottles fuel small-scale sustainability and resistance
REUSABLE BOTTLES AND REFILL STATIONS FIGHT WASTE AND CLIMATE DENIAL
By Isis Snow Avenue Staff Writer
One day while working, Henry Rodriguez came across a bag of reusable water bottles from the lost and found, all headed for the trash.
Instead of letting them go to waste, the 54-year-old maintenance generalist at University of Florida’s Southwest Recreation Center took them home. Rodriguez gave the bottles to a friend from the Philippines, who mailed them to her family overseas.
His new routine consisted of picking up the recreation center’s forgotten bottles. With his neighbor’s help, Rodriguez distributes the bottles to homeless people in Gainesville. The goal is to keep plastic bottles from littering the streets while helping those in need, he said.
“I feel like I’m doing something good by that,” Rodriguez said.
Finding his own way to be more sustainable is a source of pride for Rodriguez.
Water refill stations dot nearly every building at UF as an understated form of sustainable infrastructure. As lawmakers scrub mentions of “cli-
mate change” across the state, smallscale initiatives help reduce waste one bottle at a time.
In May 2024, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 1645 into law. The bill removes nearly all references to “climate change” from Florida statutes. By replacing this language, state laws shift away from preventing a climate crisis.
On UF’s campus, students and staff participate in a small but meaningful act that helps combat the impact of state policies that minimize environmental concerns by choosing reusable bottles.
They sip from Hydro Flasks, Stanleys, Owalas and other brands, many of which are plastered with stickers, wrapped in sleeves or personalized in other ways.
Now, the environmentally conscious choice has become a fullblown campus accessory.
The university takes its own steps toward sustainability with sensor-activated dispensers. The Reitz Union, a hotspot for student activity, has more than a dozen refill stations across the building’s eight levels. Maintenance workers across campus change the filters on the refill stations every six months.
For some, refill stations and reusable water bottles encourage more sustainable practices that reduce plastic waste. For others, it’s more about the aesthetic.
Joanna Priovolos, a 21-year-old UF business senior, prioritizes practicality over keeping up with the latest trends. Owning one or two water bottles is enough, and any more would be a waste, she said.
“People buy the new trend,” Priovolos said. “And it becomes too much.”
She’s seen influencers flock to Instagram and TikTok to show off their new bottles.
The impulse to collect, replace or upgrade is a choice shaped by consumer psychology. It allows consum-
THE ALBUM EXPLORES
IDENTITY AND SELF-ACCEPTANCE JUST IN TIME FOR PRIDE MONTH
By Isis Snow Avenue Staff Writer
Cynthia Erivo released her second solo album titled “I Forgive You” June 6. Between the star’s success in the film “Wicked” and the start of Pride Month, Erivo didn’t pull any punches with this soulful album.
The release is a declaration of freedom, forgiveness and fearlessness. The hour-long album delves deep into the human experience and Erivo’s most authentic self.
Throughout the record, she embraces her bisexuality with pride, using her music as a space to celebrate every part of herself.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Erivo said the songs are personal anecdotes from her past and present that led her to forgive others and herself.
Her aptly named album is meant to give listeners the license to say the words “I forgive you,” even if they aren’t quite ready to say it in
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their personal lives, she said.
During the two years it took to craft the album, Erivo was inspired by artists like Toni Braxton and Prince and collaborated with songwriter and producer Will Wells.
Soft instrumentals and supporting background vocals allow her voice to shine and her words to take center stage.
Pinpointing the genre of the album isn’t easy. It weaves together pop, R&B, folk and gospel.
The album begins with a 41-second interlude titled “Why,” introducing Erivo’s vulnerability and setting the emotional groundwork for what follows. The angelic background vocals suggest a confessional tone that invites the listener in.
Out of the 20 tracks on “I Forgive You,” three songs stand out for their emotional weight and lyrical depth: “Worst of Me,” “Play the Woman” and “Replay.” Each offers unique insight into Erivo’s world, anchoring the album’s message.
“Worst of Me” was the second single from this album. It was released April 11 and has already amassed over 1.4 million streams on Spotify — proof the song resonated with listeners.
ers to blend personal style and usefulness while staying on trend.
Aner Sela, a UF marketing professor, specializes in understanding how consumers make choices and form preferences. Consumers often choose products that are easy to justify buying, he said. They often underestimate the effect other people have on their choices.
“People look to other people to see what’s the norm,” Sela said.
Frequent exposure to refill stations, ice machines and people using
Lyrics like “I gave you my all, you took the worst of me,” highlight the emotional toll of exposing one’s flaws in a relationship.
The album takes a bolder turn with “Play the Woman,” where she confronts societal expectations and challenges traditional gender roles placed on women.
The chorus seemingly taunts social norms, repeating the question, “Could you play the woman for me?” The provocative suggestion could be interpreted in two ways: society asking women to play their role, or Erivo inviting men to step into the shoes of their female counterparts.
Either interpretation rejects the pressure to “play a role” dictated by others. They tie into broader conversations about feminism, identity and gender, making it relatable to listeners.
Paired with her powerful vocals, the strong lyrics make Erivo a force to be reckoned with.
Erivo shifts gears again with the song “Replay,” another early release from Feb. 28. The tune dives into the emotional aftermath of love, echoing her past pain and the search for closure.
She spells out her cycle of overthinking and insecurity in the first verse with lines like “And
reusable bottles reinforces the behavior and promotes consistent use, he said.
“There’s not only verbal word of mouth, there’s also visual word of mouth,” he said. “We’re influenced by what we see around us.”
The cycle of consumption, driven by aesthetics and social influence, often overshadows the sustainable objective of the reusable water bottles. However, using campus resources can help reduce waste.
The university has nearly three dozen clubs dedicated to promoting sustainable practices. While the environmental impact of a reusable bottle may seem small, studies show that reusing and redistributing them can significantly reduce plastic waste over time.
Students looking to make a difference can start with small, consistent choices. Use and refill reusable water bottles in libraries, residence halls, dining areas and academic buildings. Most stations can be found near restrooms.
For those looking to do even more, there are student organizations like Gators Going Green or UF’s Office of Sustainability that offer programs and volunteer opportunities focused on campus sustainability.
@snow_isisUF isnow@alligator.org
I can’t convince myself that you would never want to leave,” and “All the voices in my head say I’m not worth the time you spent.”
In the chorus, Erivo acknowledges that she is a “constant work in progress” with a mind “like a record, set up on auto-replay.”
The song’s repetitive nature is like a lullaby, embodying a cyclical melody of revisiting old wounds and struggling to grow past them.
The album is an emotional journey that doesn’t end in a traditional “happy ending” but concludes with a sense of peace. The final song, “Grace,” brings the album to a tender close.
With minimal instrumentals featuring a lone guitar and soft delivery, the lyric “I hope I see you again” is an open-ended, hopeful conclusion.
After listening to the album, it becomes clear that, despite Erivo’s growing fame and otherworldly vocals, she is still human. Each song is a testament to her journey through life and acceptance.
She invites listeners to join her in accepting imperfections, confronting pain and finding strength in forgiveness. It is a timely release that resonates deeply with the LGBTQ+ community.
@snow_isisUF isnow@alligator.org
El Caimán
La Comisión de la Ciudad de Gainesville aprueba cambios en las rutas RTS. Leer más en la página 7.
Michael Goston // Alligator Staff
Jessica Guerra, a UF junior, uses the water refill station in the Reitz Union on May 30, 2025.
El Caimán
LUNES, 9 DE JUNIO DE 2025
www.alligator.org/section/elcaiman
Rechazan al principal candidato a la presidencia de UF. ¿Qué sigue?
EL RECHAZO DE SANTA ONO COMO EL DECIMOCUARTO PRESIDENTE DE LA UF SEÑALA UN CAMBIO EN EL PANORAMA DE LA EDUCACIÓN SUPERIOR
Por Maria Avlonitis
Escritora de El Caimán
Traducido por Sofia Bravo
Escritora de El Caimán
La búsqueda del próximo presidente de la UF continúa entre giros inesperados y un clima político cada vez más tenso.
El Consejo de Gobernadores de Florida bloqueó la designación de Santa J. Ono como presidente de la UF el 3 de junio. Esta fue la primera vez que este consejo, compuesto en su mayoría por designados del gobernador, rechaza a un candidato presidencial de una universidad pública de Florida desde su creación en 2003.
La votación 10 a 6 se produjo tras una oleada de críticas conservadoras dirigidas a Ono y su apoyo pasado a iniciativas de diversidad. Los miembros del consejo interrogaron a Ono sobre declaraciones anteriores, cartas que firmó y acciones que tomó hace casi 15 años.
Para algunos, Ono representaba a un académico con la experiencia y calificaciones necesarias para dirigir una universidad pública de primer nivel, habiendo sido presidente de tres universidades. Pero para muchos líderes conservadores en Florida, él representaba los valores que intentan mantener fuera de las universidades estatales.
Renunció como presidente de la Universidad de Michigan tras ser anunciado como el único finalista en la búsqueda presidencial de la UF el 4 de mayo.
Ono rápidamente prometió lealtad a los valores de Florida, rechazó sus acciones pasadas y afirmó creer en la visión del estado para la educación superior.
“Esta alineación señala seriedad de propósito, y me dice que la Florida está construyendo algo realmente excepcional”, escribió Ono en un artículo de Inside Higher
Mantente al día con El Caimán en Twitter. Envíanos un tweet @ElCaimanGNV.
Ed el 8 de mayo. “Estoy emocionado de ser parte de ello”.
A pesar de su declaración de cambio, Ono no pudo escapar de su pasado.
Mori Hosseini, presidente de la Junta de Fideicomisarios y un importante donante del gobernador Ron DeSantis, abogó por Ono desde el anuncio.
Hosseini ha presionado para que la UF alcance una clasificación nacional más alta desde que bajó al puesto número 7 después de haber estado entre las cinco mejores universidades públicas. Dijo estar comprometido con ese objetivo y creía que Ono “se aseguraría de que la UF continúe se ascenso hacia convertirse en la principal universidad pública de los Estados Unidos”.
En un correo electrónico enviado a la universidad el 6 de junio, Hosseini escribió que la Junta de Fideicomisarios respalda la integridad del proceso de selección y la elección de Ono.
El rechazo del Consejo de Gobernadores fue “profundamente decepcionante”, escribió Hosseini.
Agregó que la decisión no disminuirá el
Basketball roster What’s in store for the Florida Gators next season? Read more on pg. 11.
impulso de la UF, con o sin Hosseini. Una cosa queda clara: Las universidades de Florida están ahora fuertemente politizadas.
Una victoria para algunos Antes de la votación, líderes conservadores criticaron duramente a Ono, alegando que no era adecuado para los valores de Florida.
Christopher Rufo, miembro de la junta del Nuevo Colegio de Florida designado por DeSantis, calificó la elección de Ono como un escándalo.
“La Junta de Fideicomisarios de la UF cometió un error colosal al nominar a Santa Ono”, escribió en X. “Se necesita un nuevo proceso que incluya a líderes conservadores, académicos del Hamilton Center y una mejor firma de búsqueda para asegurarse de que este desastre no vuelva a ocurrir”.
Lea el resto en línea en alligator.org/section/elcaiman.
@MariaAvlonitis mavlonitis@alligator.org
Síganos para actualizaciones
Para obtener actualizaciones de El Caimán, síganos en línea en www.alligator.org/section/elcaiman.
Open until 9 pm every Thursday!
Thursday, June 12, 6 – 9 pm
Summer Extravaganza
Come and strut your creative stuff in a high-energy performance followed by audience participation on our runway. Join in a fashion collage activity connected to Ghanaian Fashion, a reading by local author Sandra Gail Lambert and more.
Wine Down
Thursday, June 26, 6 – 9 pm
Wine down with a jazz performance by Brenda Bayne. Free lite bites and desserts by Chef Bert Gill will be served, along with wine and beer.
image: Frank Stella, Zandvoort, 1981, Gift of Martin Z. Margulies
Últimos recortes al Sistema Regional de Tránsito de Gainesville dejan a la comunidad decepcionada
y su cobertura pasó a la Ruta 11.
Por Logan McBride
Escritor de El Caimán
Traducido por Sebasthiane Brakha
Escritor de El Caimán
El Sistema Regional de Tránsito de Gainesville está perdiendo aproximadamente $2.9 millones debido a la reducción de fondos por parte de la Universidad de Florida.
Los recortes fueron anunciados durante una reunión de la Comisión de la Ciudad de Gainesville el 5 de junio.
RTS recibió casi la mitad de su financiamiento de UF en 2024, totalizando más de $14 millones al año. La universidad propuso originalmente recortes a RTS en abril de 2024. Un año después, anunció que se enfocaría en su servicio de transporte Campus Connector en adelante.
La pérdida representa alrededor del 22% de su actual presupuesto operativo de $12.7 millones, según un comunicado de prensa del 5 de junio.
Las decisiones dejaron a miembros de la comunidad decepcionados y preocupados por los nuevos cambios.
Ajustes en el servicio
RTS añadirá servicio exclusivo de fin de semana a la Ruta 126, que operará los sábados y domingos de 11 a.m. a 7 p.m.
Varias rutas fueron eliminadas o combinadas con otras existentes. La Ruta 16 se fusionó con la Ruta 17, mientras que la Ruta 34 fue absorbida por la Ruta 12. El servicio de la Ruta 35 se dividió entre las Rutas 12 y 37. La Ruta 711 fue descontinuada
Alineaciones modificadas, horarios actualizados y combinaciones de rutas afectarán a varios trayectos. La Ruta 1 tendrá una nueva alineación y horario para cubrir áreas previamente atendidas por la Ruta 46.
Un segmento eliminado de la Ruta 3 será cubierto por la Ruta 7, que incluye cambios en el servicio durante los fines de semana.
La Ruta 6 también fue realineada. La Ruta 12 recibió una nueva alineación y horario para absorber el servicio de las Rutas 34 y 35.
El horario y la alineación de la Ruta 13 se modificaron con base en comentarios del público, según el comunicado. La Ruta 16 también recibió una nueva alineación y horario tras combinarse con la Ruta 17.
La Ruta 20 ahora incluye servicio a Cabana Beach y opera con una frecuencia modificada, según el comunicado.
La Ruta 23 fue extendida hasta Butler Plaza y actualizada con nueva alineación y horario. La Ruta 33 también recibió cambios en alineación y horario.
La Ruta 75 fue realineada, pero su horario se mantiene sin cambios.
Se realizaron cambios menores en el horario o frecuencia de varias otras rutas. Las Rutas 5 y 8 operarán con menor frecuencia.
Las Rutas 9 y 38 ya no harán paradas en Reitz Union. La Ruta 11 ahora incluye servicio nocturno extendido, mientras que las Rutas 15 y 26 operarán con frecuencia reducida, aunque RTS no aprobó la solicitud de financiar el servicio de fin de semana para la Ruta 26.
La Ruta 37 también experimentará ajustes de frecuencia aún no definidos, y la Ruta 43 volverá a una alineación previa con menos viajes programados.
No habrá servicio para las Rutas 21, 28, 46, 76, 78, 118, 122 y 127 durante el período Summer B.
Las Rutas 10 y 52 seguirán operando sin cambios.
Se desconoce cómo se implementarán los cambios en frecuencia, horarios o alineaciones. Los ajustes comenzarán el 30 de junio, al inicio del período Summer B de UF.
Reacciones de la comunidad
Hayden Scalise, un estudiante de primer año de UF de 18 años que asistía a la orientación Preview, dijo que los recortes fueron decepcionantes. Con planes de vivir fuera del campus en el otoño, señaló que el autobús será su principal medio de transporte.
“Que lo recorten se siente como un gran ‘al diablo contigo’”, dijo Scalise.
UF habló sobre RTS durante su sesión de Preview en Reitz Union, pero no mencionó los recortes ni el servicio Campus Connector, agregó.
El Campus Conector de UF es un servicio de transporte basado en rutas ofrecido a estudiantes y personal dentro del campus, accesible solo con una identificación GATORID móvil. Los vehículos tienen 22 asientos y no permiten viajar de pie. Cada unidad tiene una capacidad máxima de 40 estudiantes.
Operado por los Servicios de Transporte y Estacionamiento de UF, el servicio funciona de lunes a viernes de 6:30 a.m. a 5:30 p.m.
Luke Pfeiffer, estudiante de segundo año de química de 20 años en UF, ha utilizado el sistema de autobuses en múltiples ocasiones desde que llegó a la universidad. Una vez que se mude fuera del campus el próximo año, dijo que lo usará aún más. Algunas de las rutas que suele tomar fueron afectadas por los recortes, ya sea reduciendo su frecuencia o eliminando completamente.
“Me va a dificultar mucho llegar a mis clases en un tiempo razonable”, dijo Pfeiffer.
Se pregunta a dónde va el dinero de UF si no es a RTS, agregó. Considera que los
programas que benefician a los estudiantes se han deteriorado desde que llegó a UF, señalando que el estacionamiento también se ha vuelto más complicado.
Scott Challgren, residente de Gainesville de 50 años, dijo que ha usado RTS por años, incluyendo la Ruta 46, que no estará en servicio durante el Summer B.
Challgren expresó preocupación de que los recortes puedan afectar el presupuesto de las personas al perder acceso a un sistema de autobuses confiable y asequible.
“Creo que hará que la gente tenga que improvisar más”, dijo Challgren. “Ayuda a quienes no pueden manejar o no manejan a moverse, ir de compras”.
La gente puede recurrir a opciones como Uber, pero es mucho más costoso, comentó. También señaló que opciones como andar en bicicleta pueden no ser tan seguras fuera del campus y en áreas más amplias de Gainesville. Se reportaron 139 accidentes de bicicleta en 2024 en el condado de Alachua, según la Oficina de Seguridad Vial y Vehículos Motorizados de Florida, un leve aumento respecto a los 132 reportados en 2023. RTS ofrece un servicio de Movilidad a Demanda en el este de Gainesville diseñado para poblaciones desatendidas. Ofrece exámenes de salud gratuitos y transporte puerta a puerta a citas clínicas para quienes no pueden llegar fácilmente a una parada o necesitan asistencia para hacerlo. MOD opera un servicio matutino de 5:45 a.m. a 8:30 a.m., y servicio por la tarde y noche de 3:45 p.m. a 7:15 p.m.
Lea el resto en línea en alligator.org/section/elcaiman.
@logandmcbride lmcbride@alligator.com
www.alligator.org/section/opinions
Dr. Santa Ono: A cautionary tale against capitulation
As co-presidents of the graduate assistants’ union at the University of Florida, we felt we needed to take a stance on Dr. Santa J. Ono.
Graduate Assistants United led the opposition against Ben Sasse, and after the University of Michigan’s handling of a graduate student negotiation, we weren’t going to stay silent.
After conversations with other student leaders and a deep familiarity with right-wing politics, our union determined Ono was likely the best option we would get from a Board of Trustees buried in Gov. Ron DeSantis’ pocket.
I attended the open student forum calmly and peacefully with a smile on my face, giving a positive interview to a reporter afterward. In “cautious optimism,” mostly for the sake of politics, Graduate Assistants United was prepared to play nice.
Unfortunately, the Board of Governors rejected the president-elect.
Ono became an example of how bending politically can result in being handsomely rewarded with a $3 million paycheck. Instead, the board decided to send an entirely different message to anyone involved in the University of Florida.
Their message: They do not care about the success of the university, and they do not care about the candidates’ qualifications. They only care about how candidates are ranked according to Donald Trump, DeSantis and any other conservative with enough money to buy their allegiance.
With this vote, months of searching for a president to lead this flagship university have been wasted. We are in the same spot we were three years ago, except with even more of our administration having the word “interim” in front of their positions.
If the U.S. News and World Report ranked universities on wasted funds and dysfunction, maybe the board would care, and maybe we’d have a better ranking.
As it stands, the next presidential candidate will most certainly be worse. Who would want to apply for a position that just left their last hire high and dry? What kind of academically fo-
cused person would bother playing these games?
The next candidate might even make Ben Sasse look like a fiscally responsible saint in comparison.
Let this serve as an official notice for anyone thinking that selling your morals pays well in 2025 — think again.
Urbenz opinions@alligator.org
You will not be rewarded, and you will not be well received. Graduate Assistants United has stood as a testament to improving campus life and the standard of living for graduate assistants for over 50 years, and we are not allowing our members or any other member of the UF community to be victims in the political games run by DeSantis and the Board of Governors.
As Karl Popper stated, “If we want a tolerant society, we must be intolerant of intolerance.” The board has clearly stated they are intolerant of any ideas differing from their own, and their ideal university is one that is easily controlled. We reject this idea and will continue to serve as the spine so tragically missing from our recent university presidents.
We need each and every member of our union and our community to speak up, speak out and speak loudly against this and every other self-destructive action taken by the state to hurt its own flagship university.
So, to the Board of Governors, we leave you with this: Graduate Assistants United will be here long after your terms are up.
We will raise thousands of graduate assistants to think freely, think collectively, fight for a better life and stamp out hatred in all forms.
That is our legacy, now, tomorrow and forever. We are UF, and we will do anything and everything to preserve the dignity of our members and our university.
So next time you choose a president, maybe run it by us first?
Cassandra Urbenz is the co-president of Graduate Assistants United. Austin Britton contributed to this column.
Dissolve Florida’s redundant Board of Governors
Florida’s public universities are powerful engines of opportunity, research and innovation.
Yet, their management is burdened by a cumbersome bureaucratic layer: the Florida Board of Governors.
Established after a 2002 constitutional amendment, the Board of Governors controls the entire state university system, inserting itself into academic, financial and personnel decisions across 12 campuses in the Sunshine State.
Now, nearly two decades later, the question is clear: What tangible good does this extra layer of oversight produce, and at what cost?
The board is an unnecessary, costly and duplicative bureaucracy. Florida already possesses robust legislative and executive oversight, both in the form of a legislature that directly controls funding and a governor who appoints university trustees.
So, why maintain a second, expensive statewide board, which has inflated staff, prolonged decision-making and blurred lines of responsibility?
Operating this additional bureaucracy isn’t cheap.
The board’s offices, salaries and administrative expenditures consume millions in taxpayer dollars — funds that should be invested directly into students, faculty and university infrastructure. Dissolving the board would free up these resources for scholarships, STEM programs, faculty recruitment or critical campus safety initiatives.
Some argue the board offers expert oversight. However, duplicating management doesn’t guarantee better outcomes.
Diffused authority often leads to inaction. When university presidents, local trustees, the governor, the legislature and the board all weigh in on policies, accountability falters and progress stalls, as highlighted by its rejection of Dr. Santa J. Ono as the University of Florida’s new president after its own Board of Trustees unanimously approved the decision.
Streamlining governance under the governor’s office and the legislature, a model effective in other states, would clarify authority and ensure faster responses to emerging challenges.
For those who champion smaller, more efficient government, this issue should be a litmus test.
You can’t deny bureaucratic bloat in Tallahassee while defending a redundant layer of university governance. Shrinking state bureaucracy isn’t about cutting corners. It’s about recognizing when structures no longer serve their intended purpose and possessing the courage to act.
Florida’s universities will thrive with more direct accountability and more resources reaching the classroom, not by shuffling paperwork up bureaucratic ladders.
The Board of Governors was an experiment whose time has passed. For the sake of good governance and stronger universities, it’s time to dissolve and defund the Florida Board of Governors.
Let’s invest in our students, not suit-filled offices. Eli Reason is a UF IT specialist.
The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Alligator.
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1. AD SLOGANS: Which retail chain urges consumers to "Expect More. Pay Less"?
2. MATH: What is an obelus?
1. MEASUREMENTS: How many inches are in a mile?
3. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president was the last to own slaves?
4. LITERATURE: Author Ian Fleming's Jamaican estate has the same name as which James Bond movie?
2. ASTRONOMY: What does the acronym SETI mean to the scientific community?
5. TELEVISION: How many seasons of "Wheel of Fortune" did Pat Sajak host?
6. SCIENCE: What are cordyceps?
3. LANGUAGE: What does the Latin prefix “sub-” mean in English?
7. MOVIES: Which actor/comedian/filmmaker made his film debut in the movie "Donnie Darko"?
4. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the only president to serve two nonconsecutive terms?
8. ACRONYMS: What does the acronym BBC stand for?
9. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is the only bird that can fly backward?
10. FOOD & DRINK: What is a mirepoix?
5. LITERATURE: Which 20th-century movie star penned the autobiography “Me: Stories of My Life”?
6. HISTORY: What was the first National Monument proclaimed in the United States?
7. GEOGRAPHY: Where is the island of Luzon located?
8. MOVIES: Which sci-fi movie has the tagline, “Reality is a thing of the past”?
1. What relief pitcher, known for his blazing fastball, thick glasses and intimidating wildness, was a member of the New York Yankees' 1958 World Series championship team?
2. Ron Howard directed what 2013 biographical film that depicted the 1976 Formula 1 season rivalry between drivers Niki Lauda and James Hunt?
9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What was the name of the United States’ first nuclear-powered submarine?
3. Businessman Y. Charles "Chet" Soda was a founding partner and the first general manager of what original American Football League franchise?
4. In the 1990s and 2000s, what baked goods did Oswego State Lakers hockey fans traditionally throw on the ice after the team scored against the rival the SUNY Plattsburgh Cardinals?
10. GAMES: What are the four railroad properties in Monopoly? Answers
5. Marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who died from injuries sustained in a violent attack in September 2024, weeks earlier competed for what country in the Paris Summer Olympics?
1. 63,360 inches
6. Between brothers Charles and Ed O'Bannon, who scored more points for the UCLA Bruins in their 89-78 win over Arkansas in the 1995 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament championship game?
2. Search for extraterrestrial intelligence
3. Below or insufficient
7. What member of the Super Bowl XX champion Chicago Bears was ejected from a 2001 Chicago Cubs game after he criticized the home
umpire over the Wrigley Field public address system?
4. Grover Cleveland
5. Katharine Hepburn
6. Devils Tower, 1906
7. The Philippines
8. “The Matrix”
A recipe base of
9. The USS Nautilus
Seth Rogen.
Hummingbird.
10. Pennsylvania, Short Line,
British Broadcasting Corp.
A type of fungus or mushroom.
Ryne Duren.
"Rush."
The Oakland Raiders.
Bagels.
Steve McMichael.
MONDAY, JUNE 9, 2025
www.alligator.org/section/sports
Florida women’s tennis star leaves to go pro, holds on to her passion for UF
RACHEL GAILIS’ TIME AS A GATOR ENDS AFTER THREE SEASONS
By Jeffrey Serber Sports Writer
After an NCAA Final Four run, three All-SEC honors and ITA-All American honors, rising senior Rachel Gailis’ journey as a Florida Gator has ended.
On May 31, Gailis announced via Instagram she would forgo her final year of eligibility at the University of Florida to pursue a career in professional tennis.
The 20-year-old Delray Beach native has been a leader and shining star for the program during her three seasons. While she moves on to the next chapter of her career to fulfill her dreams, her love for the university will stay as strong as ever, she said.
“Being a Florida Gator is always something that I’m very proud to walk around and be able to say,” Rachel said.
Joining the family
Rachel was introduced to tennis at age 4 when she watched her older brother David’s practices. A year later, she picked up a racket and fell in love instantly.
Tennis didn’t start as something serious to her. It was just an activity to keep her moving, said Alex, Rachel’s father. But once she turned 11, she started playing at a high level, making a future in tennis possible, he said.
She was so dominant that she beat David most of the times the two siblings faced each other.
Even though David lost many of his matches against Rachel, he still shows his support for his little sister.
“If anybody’s going to say they’re Rachel’s biggest fan, it's going to be me,” David said.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Star
Rachel finished as the No. 2 recruit in the Class of 2022, making the decision to choose a career path difficult. Many schools looked to recruit her, but the high ranking also made her question whether she should immediately go pro. Rachel didn’t consider college tennis until she began receiving scholarships from different schools, her father said.
Despite having several options, Rachel visited one school in Florida: UF. The family’s visit was so successful the answer became obvious.
Rachel’s mother, Natalie, said the decision became easier once her daughter connected with Florida’s coaching staff.
The family ideology within the program brought her to Gainesville. For Rachel, it wasn’t about who the girls were on
the team, but rather how they treated each other well.
“Everyone will say this about Florida,” Rachel said, “It's a family.”
Freshman beginnings
Rachel called her first season a learning experience. She expected to be more successful in the fall season but struggled mentally while adjusting to college life.
Her father added that a big part of the transition revolved around being more team-oriented than focusing on oneself. Most levels of tennis require the players to think about their own performance rather than as a collective unit.
Rachel's older teammates, like Carly Briggs, helped make the transition easier and provided the support she needed. Briggs, who became her roommate and close friend, thought Rachel’s first season was far from the rough patch she describes.
“If that's considered a mess, then I don’t really know what I was my freshman year,” Briggs said.
Rachel was always tough on herself growing up, David said, but that's how they were raised. Having a tough mindset helped Rachel maintain the desire to get better, he added.
In the spring, Rachel started SEC play with two of her biggest victories of the season in UF’s dual match versus No. 2 Texas A&M. In doubles, Gailis and Briggs beat No. 34 Jayci Goldsmith and Salma Ewing. In singles, she defeated No. 121 Mia Kupres in straight sets on court four.
Briggs said their victory took them to another level as a doubles pair, giving them the confidence to beat any of the opponents they played in the following matches.
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@JeffreySerber Jserber@alligator.org
Does Florida’s retooled roster position itself to go back-to-back?
GAUGING WHERE FLORIDA BASKETBALL STANDS AS THE 2025 SEASON APPROACHES
By Ava DiCecca Sports Writer
From draft decisions to recent additions and departures, the incoming Florida Gators men’s basketball team will appear dramatically different on paper.
Florida was shrouded in uncertainty following the conclusion of the season. Three pillars of the Gators’ championship-winning team were graduating, and five declared for the draft. Senior guards Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, Will Richard and frontcourt players Rueben Chinyelu and Alex Condon declared for the draft. Junior guard Denzel Aberdeen entered the transfer portal and committed to Kentucky.
Whether it was a desire to remain a college athlete or a determination to win back-to-back national championships, Condon and Chinyelu decided to stay in Gainesville for the 2025-26 season. They will be joined by two new recruits to round out Florida’s projected starting lineup: Arkansas transfer and former five-star recruit
sophomore guard Boogie Fland and Princeton transfer senior guard Xaivian Lee.
“I see it working really, really well,” Florida head coach Todd Golden said of UF’s new backcourt. “To have two guys that can play so well with the ball in their hands, they make plays for themselves but also for others really, really well.”
Florida’s newcomers and returning members have garnered praise from many national reporters. Despite differences in player mold, many expect the Gators to compete at a similar level as their 2024-25 team.
One player who’s received significant praise is Fland.
“If I'm being asked to describe Boogie Fland in a one-sentence statement, I think it's very, very, very good, willing passer, and then a strong, on-ball defender who I don't think gets enough credit for that,” said Anthony Kristensen, an Arkansas Razorbacks reporter and AP Poll voter. “I think at least from a ballhandling standpoint, [he’s] ready for the next level.”
Junior Urban Klavžar and sophomore Isaiah Brown are the two returners in the backcourt. The tandem saw a reasonably small share of minutes last season but impressed in the time they had, showing they’ll be important players in helping the backcourt gel.
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As far as Fland and Lee’s ability to gel, Kristensen has confidence in Golden and the players.
“I think their skill sets complement each other more than they contradict,” he said. “I think it's very exciting, for sure.”
He said the addition of the pair will also create a versatile offense and spread out the scoring more than 2024-25 saw, making Florida “just as dangerous as it was last season.”
Shawn O’Neal, a senior editor for Lindy’s Sports Annuals, said he’s confident in Lee’s ability despite the player having to adapt from the Ivy League to the SEC.
“Players get better, they learn, they adjust to where they’re at,” O’Neal said. “Odds are he is a good basketball player, full stop.”
Experienced newcomers like Fland, Lee and incoming freshmen Alex Lloyd and CJ Ingram will determine the fate of Florida’s backcourt, O’Neal said.
Jimmy Dykes, an ESPN and SEC Network sportscaster and former NCAA coach, praised Florida's position for the upcoming season. He gave credit to Golden for what he’s accomplished from a recruiting standpoint.
With Golden’s success in retaining players and recruiting new ones, Florida has “arguably the deepest, most talented frontcourt to begin the season in all of college basketball,” Dykes
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said.
Despite uncertainty in the backcourt, Dykes, alongside O’Neal and Kristensen, placed Florida high in his preseason rankings.
“Every team in the summer has question marks, and [Golden]’s got to get into season and play games, get knocked around a little bit, get exposed and then make corrections from there,” he said. “Preseason, they are a top-five team in the country and are in a terrific position to have another great year.”
It is still a long road to opening day on Nov. 3, but with the offseason shaping up similarly to last, fans are understandably optimistic.
The Gators will look for a repeat of the 2006 and 2007 seasons, where they achieved back-to-back national championships under coach Billy Donovan. If Florida becomes title winners in 2025-26, it would be the second team, in addition to UCLA, in NCAA history to record a pair of back-to-back championships.
“You've got a head coach that's not even in his 40s yet that’s won a national title,” Dykes said. “Todd Golden has got it going, and the Rowdy Reptiles have got a great product to cheer for coming again this winter.”
@avadicecca24 adicecca@alligator.org
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Dylan Speicher // Alligator Staff
tennis player Rachel Gailis is leaving her final year at UF to pursue a professional career.
