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UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

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UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

All content by Alan Vargas
Courtesy of Maria  Bermudez.

Hope has Returned to Venezuela

Alan Vargas February 5, 2019

“...that government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from this earth.” - “The Gettysburg Address” 1863 Sixty-one years after President Lincoln’s words inspired...

Students rehearse a dance together before salsa instructor Andres Espinosa turns on the corresponding song. Photo by Courtney Stringfellow

What does UNF know about international culture? A lot, actually.

Alan Vargas December 24, 2018

This article was originally published in the Fall 2018 “Culture of UNF Issue”.  The University of North Florida is a sleepy school near the beach of a sprawling southern city. Jacksonville is home...

The Great Seal. Photo by Alan Vargas

Student Government creates legend of the “Great Seal”

Alan Vargas, Government reporter December 5, 2018

Student Government took action in dusting off an old UNF legend in Senate on Friday, Nov. 30. Legend has it that the gods chose to break Great Seal of the University of North Florida. Some say that...

Courtesy of Student Government

What Student Advocate Madison Brantley is doing about sexual assault on campus

Alan Vargas, Government reporter November 23, 2018

Imagine yourself at a friend’s house party. You grab a drink and relax. You’re playing some games, talking with friends and just having a good time. When it’s time for another drink, someone conveniently...

Photo by Alan Vargas.

Student Government approves funding for spring musical

Alan Vargas, Government Reporter November 19, 2018

On Friday, Nov. 16, the UNF Senate chambers were filled to capacity. More than twenty-five members of the fledgling Musical Theatre Club packed in to try and keep their dreams of a spring musical funded....

Student Body President Jenna DuPilka. Photo by Brandon Diaz.

Sitting down with SG President on alcohol policy change and other issues

Alan Vargas, Government Reporter November 13, 2018

The third floor of the UNF Student Union is typically a busy place where student government officials move from meeting to meeting, but for two weeks in early October, anxiousness pervaded the halls...

UNF Senate approves Spring concert budget increase

UNF Senate approves Spring concert budget increase

Alan Vargas November 5, 2018

Osprey Productions Director Dani Brantley is on a mission. Her goal is to boost attendance of the annual UNF Spring concert. In the last two years, approximately 3,000 students have attended Oz Music...

The Finance and Facilities Committee was the first to meet during a day of Board of Trustees Committee meetings. Photo by Sam Chaney.

UNF Board of Trustees seeks $10 million for new faculty and other internal changes

Alan Vargas November 2, 2018

UNF has a problem. The University has received a total of $7 million from the Board of Governor’s performance-based funding system in the last four years and was ranked dead last out of 16 public...

Courtesy of Student Government

Student Government throws a hail mary for alcohol

Alan Vargas October 21, 2018

In a last-ditch effort to change the new alcohol guidelines, Student Government approved a Joint Resolution recommending that alcohol be allowed at student events, including tailgating. The resolution...

UNF Sustainability Committee votes to recommend funding for People Over Plastic

UNF Sustainability Committee votes to recommend funding for People Over Plastic

Alan Vargas October 19, 2018

On Oct. 18, the UNF Sustainability Committee met to hear a proposal for a student-led project that would seek to “increase awareness on the effects of plastic on the environment, and educate and empower...

The Finance and Facilities Committee was the first to meet during a day of Board of Trustees Committee meetings. Photo by Sam Chaney.

UNF Board of Trustees hears student sentiment on alcohol policy

Alan Vargas October 14, 2018

The UNF Board of Trustees heard from UNF President David Szymanski on his first 90 days and the direction of the University. The board also heard from Student Body President Jenna DuPilka and voted on...

Richard Tryon. Photo by Alan Vargas.

UNF professor weighs in on the potential for war with China

Alan Vargas October 8, 2018

A dangerous naval incident on Sunday, Sept. 30, combined with ongoing trade disputes have raised the specter of war between the two largest militaries and economies of the world. The likelihood of...

the UNF Senate Chambers. Photo by Alan Vargas.

Student Government: Proposal to amend the University alcohol policy, expanding Medical Amnesty and upcoming Lend-a-Wing food drives

Alan Vargas October 7, 2018

The UNF Student Government Senate met on Oct. 5 to hear reports from officers, confirm a Judicial Branch and Legislative Branch appointment and to vote on funding for rentable laptop chargers. Attorney...

The new Alcohol policy change was announced over a Osprey Update.

Over 2000 students vote in SG poll about updated alcohol policy; 87 percent disagree with the policy

Alan Vargas October 2, 2018

The University and Student Affairs Committee released detailed results of the special Osprey Voice regarding the University’s new alcohol policy. As previously reported, the turnout for the Student Government...

Photo by Alan Vargas.

Student Government: Record turnout for special Osprey Voice, budget requests and candidate interviews

Alan Vargas September 29, 2018

The UNF Student Government Legislative branch held committee meetings on Friday, Sept. 28 to hear the results of the special Osprey Voice, forward a legislative and judicial candidate on to Senate and...

Professor Andres Gallo. Photo by Alan Vargas.

UNF professor explains what the recent Chinese tariffs are, how they work and why we should care

Alan Vargas September 27, 2018

With the words “trade war” being thrown around lately, one may wonder what is actually going on and how this “trade war” started. Put simply, there has been a recent back-and-forth effort between...

Courtesy of Student Government

Senate suspicions aroused by student organization offering “premium memberships”

Alan Vargas September 23, 2018

Members of the UNF Senate had a lengthy debate about a travel funding request for the Financial Planning Association during the Senate meeting held on Friday, Sept. 21. The debate was over the club's premium...

Courtesy of Student Government.

Student Government to hold a Town Hall meeting regarding the new alcohol policies

Alan Vargas September 19, 2018

UNF Student Government will be holding a Town Hall event on Thursday, Sept. 27 in order to hear students’ opinions about the University’s updated alcohol policy. The policy has received significant...

Graphic by Sam Chaney

Compliance, Ethics and Risk Oversight Committee discusses changes and potential modifications to University policies

Alan Vargas September 1, 2018

The Compliance, Ethics and Risk Oversight Committee met on Thursday, Aug. 30 in Hicks Hall to discuss changes to the Student Code of Conduct, the Statement of Ethical Conduct and various policies relating...

Courtesy of Student Government

Student Government: A busy first day for legislative committees

Alan Vargas September 1, 2018

The UNF Student Government Committees all met on Friday, Aug. 31 to forward new Senate candidates, read the Constitution and get ready for September’s Osprey Voice. The Government Oversight Committee,...

Courtesy of Student Government.

Community Swoop partnerships for the 2018 – 2019 academic year

Alan Vargas August 30, 2018

Along with “no homework” and “open book test,” the phrase “student discount” ranks among the favorites for college students. To help students save some money, Student Government has partnered...

Photo by Alan Vargas.

Senate holds its first meeting of the fall term

Alan Vargas August 25, 2018

The UNF Student Government Senate kicked off the first session of the school year by naming the Student Government Association scholarship after Former SG Director and current Parent Association Director...

Student and International Affairs is being moved to be part of Academic Affairs

The restructuring of UNF divisions: What is happening to Student Affairs?

Sam Chaney, Kevin Beaugrand, and Alan Vargas August 22, 2018

The state of UNF’s Student Affairs division was left in question following the recent exit of Vice President of Student and International Affairs Mauricio Gonzalez. Initially, one might assume Associate...

Democratic hopefuls thank the audience for their time.

A one-on-one take with Democrats top five candidates

Jessica May, Carly Kramer, Alan Vargas, and Hannah Lee August 10, 2018

On the evening of Aug. 9, five Democratic candidates came together at Jacksonville University to talk about policies and what makes them unique in order to poll as the majority candidate in the upcoming...

The boardwalk of Jacksonville Beach. Photo courtesy of Inside Florida.

Jacksonville Beach mayor introduces proposal to potentially make certain beach restaurants close at midnight

Alan Vargas and Kevin Beaugrand July 29, 2018

*Correction 8/2: The public workshop will be held on Wednesday, August 8 at 6 p.m., not 5 p.m. Mayor Charlie Latham of Jacksonville Beach has proposed closing certain restaurants at midnight in...

Student and activists on the panel answering questions and motivating others to get involved.

Road to Change reaches Jacksonville: A discussion on guns, law enforcement, respect in the community

Sam Chaney and Alan Vargas July 28, 2018

After 17 of their classmates and teachers were murdered in the Parkland mass shooting on Feb. 14, survivors and recent graduates of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School decided to take the gun control...

Register now to vote in primary elections

Register now to vote in primary elections

Alan Vargas July 23, 2018

Elections are upon us and if you want your voice to be heard, you better be registered to vote. Florida law requires voters to register with the state 29 days prior to an election. The Democratic and Republican...

Board of Trustees: Audit plans, presidential powers and potential leases for downtown

Board of Trustees: Audit plans, presidential powers and potential leases for downtown

Alan Vargas July 16, 2018

The UNF Board of Trustees met on Monday, July 16 to discuss and vote on a number of important agenda items. The Office of Internal Auditing (OIA), Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Division of Administration...

Final summer Senate meeting: New associate justice, budget requests and resignation of the communications coordinator

Final summer Senate meeting: New associate justice, budget requests and resignation of the communications coordinator

Alan Vargas July 13, 2018

On Friday, July 13 the UNF Senate held its final session of the summer term. During this final session, Senate voted to approve a new associate justice, approved an amended budget request and approved...

Run, Hide, Fight- UNF Crisis Management Training Session

Run, Hide, Fight- UNF Crisis Management Training Session

Alan Vargas July 3, 2018

The UNF Center for Professional Development held a Crisis Management Training Session in conjunction with the University Police Department on Tuesday, July 2. The session was held for new UNF faculty...

Graphic by Sam Chaney

Why are Millennials moving to Jacksonville?

Alan Vargas July 1, 2018

It’s hard to guess what makes someone decide they wanted to move to Jacksonville; some people might say it’s the weather or the beaches while others would argue it’s the breweries, the Jaguars...

Courtesy of Student Government

Student Government: Committees discuss budgets and review official business

Alan Vargas June 29, 2018

The UNF Student Government Committees met on Friday, June 29 to debate legislation, approve a travel request and undergo various senator training sessions. Chairman Camden Dean of the Budget and Allocations...

Sophia Ndreu. photo by Luiza Motta.

UNF student describes her battle to get into UNF after completing the English Language Program

Alan Vargas June 25, 2018

UNF Sophomore Klaudia Ndreu moved to the United States from Albania when she was 19 years old. She speaks four languages and wants to change the way people think about the role of women in society. The...

Courtesy of Student Government

Senate meeting: The official vote on legislation regarding the old skate park

Alan Vargas June 22, 2018

*Correction 6/25 9:45 a.m A previous version of this article stated the skate paved was paved over for a cost of $250,000. However, the $250,000 that Student Government paid was for the original skate...

Courtesy of Student Government

Student Government clarifies joint resolution regarding skate park grounds

Alan Vargas June 20, 2018

The UNF Student Government released a statement on Wednesday, June 20 regarding the Senate bill meant to handle the rights to the concrete slab behind Lot 18, formerly the campus skate park. Attorney...

The old skatepark behind Lot 18. Photo by Alan Vargas.

Coastal Engineering Department responds to Student Government bill focusing on the old skate park

Alan Vargas June 20, 2018

For the Coastal Engineering Program, the old skate park is the key location for UNF's one of a kind wave pool. This wave pool is essential for graduate research and is one out of three wave pools in...

Courtesy of Student Government

Student Government: Committees discuss Student Government applications and Osprey Voice

Alan Vargas June 15, 2018

The UNF Student Government Senate Committee meetings were held on Friday, June 15 in the John E. Sapp Conference Room. The Government Oversight, Constitution and Statutes, Budget and Allocations and University...

A workshop involving President David Szymanski took place after the Board of Trustees meeting. Photo by Alan Vargas.

President Szymanski addresses the Board of Trustees for the first time in a post-meeting workshop

Alan Vargas June 15, 2018

After the plenary Board of Trustees meeting on June 14, the Board took the opportunity to hold a workshop with President David Szymanski. The workshop allowed each Board member to share their goals and...

The Finance and Facilities Committee was the first to meet during a day of Board of Trustees Committee meetings. Photo by Sam Chaney.

Board of Trustees: Committees review business and budgets for the upcoming fiscal year

Sam Chaney and Alan Vargas June 14, 2018

The UNF Board of Trustees met on Thursday, June 14 in order to discuss and review regular business as conducted by the various Board Committees. President David Szymanski was also in attendance for his...

Assistant Professor of History Patrick Chung. Photo courtesy of UNF.

UNF professor explains the history of the Koreas following the 2018 North Korea-United States Summit

Alan Vargas June 13, 2018

The Summit is now over and an agreement has been reached, but how did Korea get split up? And what’s stopping them from reuniting? UNF Professor of History Patrick Chung sat down with the Spinnaker to...

Senate members discuss business during the meeting. Photo by Alan Vargas.

Senate Meeting: Discussion regarding old skate park grounds and new bill proposals

Alan Vargas June 8, 2018

The UNF Senate met on Friday, June 8 in order to vote on a bill that clears up language in the Title VI Election Code, as well as send two new bills to Student Government Committees for discussion. The...

Student Body President Jenna DuPilka. Photo by Brandon Diaz.

Your Student Body President: Sit-down with Jenna DuPilka

Alan Vargas June 5, 2018

In order to get to know the new UNF Student Body President better, Spinnaker sat down to find out what drove Jenna DuPilka to seek the office, hear about the plans she has for her Presidential term,...

Upcoming parking changes due to first Armada game of the season

Upcoming parking changes due to first Armada game of the season

Alan Vargas June 1, 2018

The Jacksonville Armada Football Club will host Storm FC at Hodges Stadium on Saturday, June 2nd. There will be some changes to the parking procedures in light of the first match of the season. Lot...

TOPSHOT - Demonstrators clash with the riot police during a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on April 20, 2017.
Venezuelan riot police fired tear gas Thursday at groups of protesters seeking to oust President Nicolas Maduro, who have vowed new mass marches after a day of deadly unrest. Police in western Caracas broke up scores of opposition protesters trying to join a larger march, though there was no immediate repeat of Wednesday's violent clashes, which left three people dead. / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO        (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images)

The Venezuelan Struggle: UNF students share their experience

Alan Vargas May 31, 2018

Imagine if one day you received a long-distance phone call from your family begging you to send them food and medicine so that they can survive. This scenario is not out of the realm of possibilities;...

Courtesy of Student Government

Student Government teams up with Jacksonville Jaguars for season tickets

Alan Vargas May 31, 2018

UNF Student Government has partnered once again with the Jacksonville Jaguars to offer season tickets to UNF students. They will be releasing specifics about the costs and location of the seats...

Courtesy of Student Government

Student Government: Changes to the election code and discussions on the future of OZ Fest

Alan Vargas May 18, 2018

On Friday, May 18, various student government committees met for regular business. First, the UNF Government Oversight Committee met to send changes to the election code to Student Body President...

UNF International Center and International Ospreys seek to bridge the gap between domestic and foreign students

UNF International Center and International Ospreys seek to bridge the gap between domestic and foreign students

Alan Vargas May 15, 2018

Studying abroad is one of the most rewarding experiences a student can undertake, but living and studying in a foreign country can be a daunting task for anyone. Students have to navigate language...

Photo by Joseph Basco

Pay your tuition on time: Temporary student “Self Service” and OneStop unavailability

Alan Vargas May 14, 2018

You won’t be able to pay your Summer 2018 bill online after 5 p.m. on Friday, May 18, so make sure to pay it on time in order to avoid any late fees. OneStop will be unavailable starting at 4:30 p.m. The...

The new Attorney General, Treasurer, Student Advocate and Elections Commissioner have been confirmed by the Senate.

UNF Senate confirms the final members of the 2018-2019 Student Government Administration

Alan Vargas May 12, 2018

The UNF Student Government held the first Senate meeting of the summer term on Friday, May 11 to hear Student Body President Jenna DuPilka’s goals for her administration and to vote on the confirmation...

John Delaney awarded President Emeritus status at UNF Board of Trustees meeting

John Delaney awarded President Emeritus status at UNF Board of Trustees meeting

Alan Vargas May 10, 2018

The UNF Board of Trustees met on Thursday, May 10 to hear the budget proposal for the 2018-2019 academic year and to vote on awarding outgoing President John Delaney the status of President Emeritus. According...

Mona compared this painting, “Black Smoke No. 3” 2012, to the visual devastation happening in Syria.

UNF Perspectives on the Syrian Civil War

Alan Vargas April 28, 2018

“And the rocket's red glare! The bombs bursting in air! Gave proof through the night That our flag was still there.”                   -Francis Scott Key The Star Spangled...

Felipe Calderón, President of Mexico. 
Copyright by World Economic Forum/Photo by Monika Flueckiger

Felipe Calderón, former President of Mexico, talks immigration and more at UNF

Alan Vargas April 11, 2018

Felipe Calderón, who served as the President of Mexico from 2006 to 2012, spoke April 10 at the Herbert University Center to a room filled with UNF students, as well as members of the local community....

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