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VOLUME 113 ISSUE 12

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

Not officially associated with the University of Florida

Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida

UF apologizes to students rushed off stage at graduation IT GAVE THEM $3,920 WORTH OF FRAMED DIPLOMAS. By McKenna Beery Alligator Staff Writer

Thousands of people watched 24 people get rushed off the stage at graduation in May. Now, UF is trying to make it up to them with a gift. UF mailed framed diplomas to the students who were pulled off stage during the Spring commencement ceremony, said Stephanie McBride, the director of commencement. They were sent as an apology and a reminder that the university “appreciates and celebrates them.” UF came under fire for being inappropriately aggressive in ushering students off stage during the Spring graduation ceremony. Since then, the commencement model has shifted away from individual name-calling in the O’Connell Center. In addition to the framed diplomas, UF President Kent Fuchs reached out to all of the students by phone and with a personal, mailed letter, McBride said. The frames cost $3,920 in total, she said. UF spent $148.75 per frame for 24 of the frames and $175 per frame for two of them. The price discrepancy was because the first 24 were bulkpurchased, and the last two were bought later when UF realized two students were double majors.

Two students called UF to thank the administration for framing their diplomas, McBride said. Jamal Waked, who graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in physics, said he is happy with his framed diploma. Waked wasn’t upset about the Spring commencement incident because he had already landed his backﬂip when the marshal came to rush him off the stage, he said. “I didn’t feel an apology was needed for me, but for others I can understand the apology,” the 22-year-old said. He said some students were unfairly moved off stage and were upset, so it is a nice gesture from UF to let the students know that they aren’t just a name. “I think it’s noble that UF is able to realize their mistakes and correct them,” he said. Oliver Telusma, who graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in political science, said he is unsure if this was an attempt to make amends, but if it was, it isn’t nearly enough. UF’s response to the commencement incident wasn’t only an offense against him, but a clear statement of how UF regards communities of color, he said. “Resolution comes from not only substantive efforts to make amends with me, but with marginalized students who experience a climate like this regularly,” the 22-year-old said. @mckennabeery mbeery@alligator.org

Christopher King / Alligator Staff

Patagonia comes to UF Chris Gaggia, the Patagonia global marketing manager for field and fish, addresses students on how to run an ethical company. The program was held Tuesday night in Pugh Hall and offered students a chance to hear how Patagonia remains a profitable company while still focusing on improving the environment.

Library West will be open 24/7 again by the end of September IT’LL COST $160,000 TO FUND THE LIBRARY FOR A YEAR. By Angela DiMichele Alligator Staff Writer

Students can soon study overnight again at Library West after UF Student Government voted to fund the extra hours. SG Senate unanimously passed a bill to refund Library West with $160,000 from the SG reserve account as a 24/7 library Tuesday night. The Senate had to pass the

bill twice before it could be implemented. This will apply for the 2018 to 2019 fiscal year. Then, it will be funded for three years by the Office of the Provost, said UF Student Body President Ian Green. Money in the reserve account comes from student activity and service fees, Green said. Library West staff plans for the library to be open 24/7 by the end of September once more employees are hired. “It’s been shown that students want a 24/7 library on campus, however, the study that was done

previously did not necessarily reﬂect that interest,” Green said. “It was my job as student body president to show that the interest was there, and that it’s going to continue to increase, especially as we strive for top five.” Raelin Ogburn, an 18-year-old UF health science freshman, said she didn’t know the library used to be open 24/7. “Finding out that it was 24 hours at one point is shocking to me,” she said. @angdimi adimichele@alligator.org

Alachua County to offer Spanish sample ballots THE COUNTY HOPES TO MAKE THE BALLOTS AVAILABLE FRIDAY. By Kelly Hayes Alligator Contributing Writer

Spanish-speaking voters won’t have to struggle to understand the

ballot this November. Thanks to a ruling by a federal judge, 32 counties in Florida, including Alachua County, will be required to provide residents with sample ballots in Spanish, said TJ Pyche, the director of outreach for Alachua County Supervisor of Elections. The county is working to make the ballot available Friday.

Gators preparing for “Rocky Top”

The iconic Tennessee ﬁght song has been blasting from loudspeakers this week in practice. How have Florida’s offensive playmakers reacted to it?, pg. 14

“I think that this will give them the opportunity to read the ballot in their native language and make their decisions accordingly,” he said. The change comes after the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections, Kim Barton, was sued in a class-action lawsuit for violating the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in voting, Pyche said.

A park for Tom Petty

There isn’t an accurate estimate yet for how much the new sample ballots will cost because it depends on printing expenditures, he said. For Marcie Stefan, the vice president of the Alachua County Hispanic Caucus, the new sample ballot means she won’t have to translate the amendments for her parents from Puerto Rico.

First a tribute on the 34th Street Wall, now the Northeast Park, pg. 4

Puppies with a cool space

Twenty-three puppies are coming to a local shelter, pg. 5

“It does affect people, because you can’t really understand what you’re voting for,” she said. Stefan thinks the new sample ballots will improve voter turnout in future elections. “It’s going to be much more comfortable voting when you understand what you’re voting for,” she said.