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UNF Spinnaker

UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

All content by Cassidy Alexander
Delaney

Delaney on witness list for former Congresswoman accused of fraud

Cassidy Alexander April 25, 2017

UNF President John Delaney is on the witness list for Corrine Brown, a former Jacksonville Congresswoman facing 22 counts of corruption, tax evasion and fraud. Jury selection for Brown’s trial in federal...

Former VP-elect apologizes for emotional abuse

Former VP-elect apologizes for emotional abuse

Cassidy Alexander April 10, 2017

  Former Vice President-elect Tajmaus Johnson, who was disqualified for emotionally abusing President Isabella Genta when he shouted “f--- you” and physically intimidated her, sent Spinnaker...

Bored over break? We have some suggestions.

Help! I’m stuck on campus for Spring Break

Cassidy Alexander March 20, 2017

By James Donlon Your life is boring. Day in and day out you feel time slowly chipping away at you. Everyday feels like the same, worn out record, looping over and over again. Wake-up, go to school,...

UNF celebrated International Women’s Day with a unique twist on a fashion show

UNF celebrated International Women’s Day with a unique twist on a fashion show

Cassidy Alexander March 13, 2017

By Alexandra Torres-Perez On March 8, it was International Women’s Day, and people from around the world celebrated it in different ways. Some women didn’t show up to work to make a point of what...

Photo by Mark Judson

EDITORIAL: Suck it up and vote — it’s not going to kill you

Cassidy Alexander March 7, 2017

In case you’ve missed it, it’s election season: time to vote for new representatives in Student Government, including our next president and vice president. By taking five minutes on March 7 or 8,...

Photo by Lili Weinstein

UNF to host ASUN tournament game against JU

Cassidy Alexander February 23, 2017

With a victory over Jacksonville University in part two of the River City Rumble on Feb. 23, Osprey men’s basketball secured a place as a host in the ASUN quarterfinals. UNF will face JU again on...

UPDATE: Issues resolved after UNF experiences network problems

UPDATE: Issues resolved after UNF experiences network problems

Cassidy Alexander February 16, 2017

UPDATE — 2/16/17 @ 5:20 The network problems were resolved before 5 p.m., according to an update from Sharon Ashton. The UNF webpage, myWings, Blackboard and Canvas are now running. UNF's campus...

George Louissaint, Jr.

TIMELINE: The search for Louissaint

Cassidy Alexander February 16, 2017

UNF student George Louissaint, Jr. went missing early on the morning of Sunday, Feb. 12. According to police, friends and family, he just vanished. Disappeared. Friends who last saw him say Louissaint...

EXCLUSIVE: Delaney talks missing students, and what comes next as search continues

EXCLUSIVE: Delaney talks missing students, and what comes next as search continues

Cassidy Alexander February 15, 2017

As police continue looking for missing student George Lousissaint, Jr., Spinnaker spoke with UNF President John Delaney about the search, the family, and the support from the campus community. Though...

An officer entered the woods on Tuesday to search for Louissaint. Photo by Pierce Turner

‘Needle in a haystack’: Search for missing UNF student comes up short on third day

Cassidy Alexander and Nick Blank February 14, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig9EjeyvVJg Video by Brooks Baptiste UNFPD and JSO canvassed 13 square miles of woods surrounding The Flats Tuesday for more than eight hours in the search for missing...

UNF President John Delaney was awarded President Emeritus status by the Board of Trustees

President Delaney speaks out about missing student

Cassidy Alexander February 14, 2017

UNF President John Delaney issued a statement Tuesday afternoon about missing UNF student George Louissaint Jr. “The UNF community is hopeful that the missing UNF student will be found soon...We appreciate...

George and his girlfriend. Photo from Facebook

UNFPD still searching for missing student

Cassidy Alexander February 13, 2017

The UNF student who went missing early Sunday morning is still missing, according to UNFPD, and as time passes officers are growing more concerned. George Louissaint, Jr. is a resident of the District...

George Louissaint, Jr.

Police searching for missing UNF student

Cassidy Alexander February 12, 2017

Police are searching for missing 20-year-old UNF student George Louissaint Jr., according to a campus alert sent out Feb. 12 just before noon. Louissaint was last seen around 2 a.m. Feb. 12 at the...

Delaney addresses UNF community after Trump’s immigration ban

Delaney addresses UNF community after Trump’s immigration ban

Cassidy Alexander January 30, 2017

In a statement released Monday evening, UNF President John Delaney took a moment to “affirm our unwavering support for students, faculty and staff from other countries and of all faiths.” President...

Photo courtesy Ponte Vedra Valley

UNF student dies at 24

Cassidy Alexander January 5, 2017

Accalia Hope Sullivan, a 24-year-old graduate student studying athletic administration, died Jan. 2.  “Accalia dominated in every aspect of her life,” reads an obituary on the funeral home website....

The Border Collies would herd geese away from the center of campus and resolve some health hazards associated with the birds. Photo courtesy Goose Masters.

UNF moves forward with Border Collies as goose control

Cassidy Alexander January 3, 2017

UNF has already launched its plan to move geese away from the core of campus using Border Collies. The university was expected to review feedback from students, faculty and staff and make a decision...

Spinnakers most viewed stories of 2016

Spinnaker’s most viewed stories of 2016

Cassidy Alexander December 30, 2016

As the year comes to a close, Spinnaker took a look at everything that happened this year. Here are the top ten most viewed stories on unfspinnaker.com from 2016.   BREAKING: Freshman housing...

Photo by Joseph Basco

Computer error announces refunds students won’t receive

Cassidy Alexander December 22, 2016

Approximately 100 students were informed they would be receiving financial aid refunds because of a computer error this week. Anissa Agne, Director of Financial Aid, stated UNF officials were running...

A new program joins the ASUN Conference

A new program joins the ASUN Conference

Cassidy Alexander December 18, 2016

The ASUN conference will have a ninth member with the North Alabama Lions joining in 2018-2019. The Lions are currently a Division II program that has had success in postseason with seven Division II national...

The geese sometimes make it hard for students to enjoy campus amenities, like the green. Photo by Nick Blank

Students react to proposal to control geese with dogs

Cassidy Alexander December 16, 2016

University officials are deliberating over a plan to move UNF’s Canadian Geese away from the core of campus with Border Collies, which depends on the response from students, faculty and staff. Vice...

Frank Brown Photo courtesy News4Jax

UNF custodial worker played “key role” in release of hostages

Cassidy Alexander December 2, 2016

A UNF custodial worker was integral in resolving the hostage situation at a northwest Jacksonville credit union Dec. 1, according to an Osprey Update Dec. 2. Frank Brown, a senior custodial worker...

Knife attack at Ohio State leaves 11 hospitalized, attacker dead

Knife attack at Ohio State leaves 11 hospitalized, attacker dead

Cassidy Alexander November 28, 2016

What was originally called an “active shooter situation” at Ohio State University on the morning of Nov. 28 has since been confirmed as a knife attack. An OSU student crashed his car into pedestrians...

Larenzo Quincy Askew Photo courtesy Thomas van Schoor

Student bites officer while allegedly on acid, police say

Cassidy Alexander November 21, 2016

A freshman possibly on acid bit through a UNF police officer’s bulletproof vest to her skin, according to UNFPD. Three officers were dispatched to the Osprey Cove U building on Thursday, Nov. 19,...

UPDATE: Man who groped student banned from campus, police say

UPDATE: Man who groped student banned from campus, police say

Cassidy Alexander November 10, 2016

UPDATE — 11/14/16 @ 5:16 p.m.   UNFPD located and identified the suspect accused of groping a residential student who responded to a Craigslist ad asking for a babysitter. An update to the original...

Clinton concedes, tells young voters to keep fighting for what’s right

Clinton concedes, tells young voters to keep fighting for what’s right

Cassidy Alexander November 9, 2016

Hillary Clinton conceded the 2016 presidential election to Donald Trump just before noon Nov. 9. Her speech encouraged young voters and women to continue to fight for what is right, and encouraged all...

A minute-by-minute look back at election night

A minute-by-minute look back at election night

Cassidy Alexander November 9, 2016

News outlets began announcing that Donald Trump won the presidency early this morning, around 2:30 a.m. For those who went to sleep at a reasonable hour last night and missed the excitement, here’s a...

Sophomores Alexis Kmieck and Albaro Barrios got in line at 1 a.m. so they could be the first ones in. Photo by Tiffany Butler

Students waiting in line respond to Obama on campus

Cassidy Alexander November 3, 2016

Students and Jacksonville community members have been lined up in anticipation for the rally lead by President Barack Obama all day, and the line now wraps all the way from the Arena to Eco Road. The...

Students wait to be let into the UNF Arena. Photo by Jack Drain

Arena entry pushed back to 12:30; Field House set up for overflow

Cassidy Alexander November 3, 2016

A representative from the Clinton campaign told Spinnaker the public won't be allowed into the Arena until 12:30 p.m. for President Barack Obama's speech. Originally, people were supposed to be let...

Students wait to be let into the UNF Arena. Photo by Jack Drain

Obama speech pushed back

Cassidy Alexander November 3, 2016

A recent email from the Clinton campaign estimates that President Barack Obama will be speaking at 2:55 p.m. Originally, Obama was set to speak at 1:30 p.m. That time has been pushed back about an hour...

Flowers planted in front of the arena. Photo by Tiffany Salameh

Getting ready for Obama: Prep, parking, and more

Cassidy Alexander November 2, 2016

With President Barack Obama less than 24 hours away from stepping on UNF soil, Spinnaker checked in with UNF Vice President of Public Relations Sharon Ashton to see how the university is preparing for...

Students can expect several closures around campus during President Obamas visit. Photo by Morgan Purvis

Lot 18 closed for Obama’s visit; Ticket doesn’t guarantee entry to rally

Cassidy Alexander November 1, 2016

Students who drive to campus may be kicked out of their usual parking spot in preparation for President Barack Obama’s visit to campus. According to an email from UNF President John Delaney, Lot...

Green Arrow. Courtesy of Flickr

Next on Netflix

Cassidy Alexander October 17, 2016

Go ahead, postpone whatever less important thing you were going to do. We’ll wait.  Most shows on this list are incredibly popular. Some are recent phenomenons, a few are a little older. Some of them...

Photo by Nick Blank

No classes, but campus open on limited schedule

Cassidy Alexander October 10, 2016

Although classes Monday are cancelled, many campus facilities are open, including the library, Student Health Services, some food venues and the shuttles. “We hope to have all operations back to...

Matthew expected to strengthen to Category 4

Matthew expected to strengthen to Category 4

Cassidy Alexander October 6, 2016

Hurricane Matthew is expected to approach Jacksonville late tonight, potentially as a Category 4hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center. While it is currently a Category 3 hurricane,...

Graphic by Randall Johnson

Clown sighted on campus

Cassidy Alexander October 5, 2016

UPDATE 10/21/16 @ 1:26 p.m. Two calls were made to UNFPD on Oct. 16 and 17 over possible clown sightings. Call logs indicate a caller near Building 45 saw a clown walking across the Green at around...

Jecorian McCray Photo courtesy JSO.

New details arise in case of killed UNF employee

Cassidy Alexander October 3, 2016

The man accused of orchestrating a UNF employee’s murder from a jail cell will be continuing his trial for the burglary he was originally accused of. Jecorian McCray, 23, was arrested for a burglary...

Graphic by Ben Cross

Elections Commissioner suggests SG members not wear red; Senator accused of stealing campaign materials

Cassidy Alexander September 28, 2016

UPDATE — 9/28/16 @ 3:57 p.m. The complaint filed against Sabrina Sorrentino was found to have no merit, according to an email from SG Director of Public Relations Alejandro Nieto. Nieto also stated...

Photo courtesy of St. Johns County Sherriffs Office

Student admits to sexual exploitation of a 4-year-old, deputies say

Cassidy Alexander September 26, 2016

Neal D. Buckles, the UNF freshman accused of possessing and sending child pornography, also admitted to sexually exploiting a 4-year-old to investigators, records from St. John’s County officials state. According...

Neal Buckles. Image courtesy Facebook

Student arrested for child pornography

Cassidy Alexander September 22, 2016

A UNF student will make his first appearance in court Friday morning on child pornography charges. Neal D. Buckles is currently in jail, unable to bond out after being arrested Thursday afternoon. The...

Dara Kusiv. Photo by Darrah Shea Photography

Former student found guilty after 2013 crash killed another student

Cassidy Alexander September 22, 2016

A former UNF student was found guilty as charged of driving under the influence-manslaughter, and two counts of driving under the influence with injury Tuesday, after the death of another student in a...

Photo by Randall Johnson

Students dance during A Night in Hispaniola

Cassidy Alexander September 15, 2016

  With the rain pouring outside on a Tuesday evening, students gathered in the Student Union for one common goal: to learn some dances. The Latin American Student Organization partnered with Raysine...

Image courtesy the National Hurricane Center

TS Julia develops over Jax; Wednesday classes will continue as scheduled

Cassidy Alexander September 14, 2016

What looked like just a bunch of rain has developed into a tropical storm, according to an update from the National Hurricane Center. There is currently no word as to whether or not classes will be...

Graphic courtesy the National Hurricane Center.

Classes canceled for Friday, late Thursday; Storm now hurricane

Cassidy Alexander September 1, 2016

UPDATE -- 9/1/16 @ 4:00 p.m. Hermine has strengthened to a hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. It is expected to make landfall around midnight...

UNF will announce if classes are cancelled Wednesday morning.

UNF preparing for Tropical Depression 9

Cassidy Alexander August 31, 2016

UPDATE -- 4/1 4:00 p.m. Classes after 3 p.m. on Thursday are cancelled and all classes on Friday are cancelled. Classes are scheduled as usual for now, according to a special edition of the Osprey...

Tropical Depression Nine could hit UNF

Tropical Depression Nine could hit UNF

Cassidy Alexander August 29, 2016

Tropical Depression Nine may be heading this way, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is expected to wash over the northeast part of Florida Thursday evening. According to a Facebook...

Students attended the Welcome to College Luau to learn whats going on around campus. Photo by Lili Weinstein

How to get involved on campus

Cassidy Alexander August 24, 2016

Entering college is an entirely foreign experience for most freshmen thanks to new social structures, an increased independence and demanding classes. While it might seem overwhelming, the first...

Graphic by Ben Cross

Complaints filed in October election

Cassidy Alexander August 24, 2016

Judicial complaints were filed on the first day of school against two members of SG for violating elections guidelines. Sabrina Sorrentino, SG Elections Commissioner, filed complaints against Senator...

photo courtesy sam herb

Student musician Samuel Herb to open for Rodney Atkins on campus

Cassidy Alexander August 16, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfs8AP66ALY Samuel Herb is an aspiring country music writer, with an affinity for bow ties, who also happens to be a senior studying journalism. His budding country music...

Photo by Mark Judson

Procrastinators beware: Parking permits expire today

Cassidy Alexander August 15, 2016

Students who are driving on campus during intercession, watch out. Parking decals from the 2015-2016 school year expire today, Aug. 15. UNF Parking Services will start writing citations for expired decals...

UNF professors to speak at TEDx event

UNF professors to speak at TEDx event

Cassidy Alexander August 5, 2016

In October, two UNF professors will be speakers at a Jacksonville TEDx event. Among the 12 recently announced speakers are Dr. Tracy Alloway, associate professor of psychology and graduate program director,...

Supporters wait for Donald Trump to speak at the Jacksonville Landing. Photo by Kristen Smith

Trump coming to town again

Cassidy Alexander August 3, 2016
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump will be hosting a campaign rally in Jacksonville today, Wednesday Aug. 3. The rally will take place at the Jacksonville Veteran’s Memorial Arena at 300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd., and begins at 7 p.m. Doors will open at 4 p.m.
UNF professor Beth Nabi interviews a fan as part of the U2 Tattoo Project. Photo courtesy Chris LeClere

UNF professor studying U2 tattoos to display work at gallery

Cassidy Alexander August 2, 2016
Beth Nabi, professor of graphic design and digital media, has been working with visual anthropologist Chris LeClere to catalogue U2 tattoos across the world. That project will be on exhibit at the UNF Gallery in August.
Pokemon Go Tournament — in photos

Pokemon Go Tournament — in photos

Cassidy Alexander August 1, 2016

The Pokemon Go Tournament on July 29, organized by the UNF School of Computing, drew thousands to campus to take advantage of our numerous Pokestops, gyms and Pokemon waiting to be caught. Spinnaker was...

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child picks up where the Deathly Hallows left off. Photo by Cassidy Alexander

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Inferior, sloppy and disappointing

Cassidy Alexander July 31, 2016

  The anticipation has been building around "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" for weeks. Today, the book (actually, a screenplay) centered around Harry’s middle son Albus years after the infamous...

The parking spaces noted above will be inaccessible until Sept. 16. Graphic by Cassidy Alexander

Lot 53 is getting a facelift; will be partially inaccessible

Cassidy Alexander July 29, 2016

Lot 53 will be under construction starting Monday, Aug. 1. Half of the lot will be inaccessible to park in, but the other half will remain open. Starting at 7 a.m., the west/main entrance to the parking...

The accident at JTB has reported injuries, according to JTB. Photo by Tiffany Salameh

UPDATE: Crash at JTB did not involve UNF students

Cassidy Alexander July 26, 2016

https://youtu.be/LfjafnxcL0o UPDATE — 7/26/16 @ 10:25 The crash at eastbound JTB and Kernan Boulevard did not involve UNF students, according to officials at the scene. Additionally, officials said...

‘I’d make a lousy superhero’: Student does good deed

‘I’d make a lousy superhero’: Student does good deed

Cassidy Alexander June 9, 2016

Video by Cassidy Alexander Al Huffman was heading to the gym for a workout, thinking about things other than the boundaries between right and wrong, when he was stopped by a wad of cash laying in a...

Sometimes, students are faced with tough decisions. But some safety nets in place may help them make the right choice.
Photo by Madison Davell.

To do the right thing

Cassidy Alexander June 1, 2016
When his girlfriend started having a bad reaction to an LSD tablet, a UNF student was faced with a choice: call for help and face repercussions for illegal actions, or wait and hope that nothing bad happened to his girlfriend.
.  Photo by CS

False imprisonment charges against UNF student dropped

Cassidy Alexander May 12, 2016
The charge of false imprisonment has been dropped against Clayton D. Cook.
This residence off Kernan Blvd. where three UNF students live was burglarized early on April 25. Photo by Mark Judson

$15,000 burglary led to alleged false imprisonment incident

Cassidy Alexander May 6, 2016

Three UNF students were burglarized April 25, resulting in the loss of approximately $15,000 in firearms, ammunition, jewelry, computers, cash and other belongings, according to an incident report from...

Screenshot of myWings homepage.

UPDATE: MyWings running again after unexpected error

Cassidy Alexander May 2, 2016
MyWings is experiencing an unexpected error, leaving students and professors unable to access their accounts.
Holly Skinner pauses in her studies in France to take a photo. Skinner, a public relations student, is studying at the Audencia School of Management in Nantes, France until Spring 2016. 

Photo courtesy International Center

For International Center, keeping students safe while studying abroad always a priority

Cassidy Alexander December 11, 2015
Despite turmoil around the globe, UNF will not be re-evaluating their safety policies.
Graphic by Cassidy Alexander

Admins vs. Professors: Why UNF has more professors than administrators

Cassidy Alexander December 9, 2015
Concerns that universities are being run more like corporations are lighting up the press. But how does UNF measure up?
The adaptive toys were custom fit to the users, most toys have extensive modifications done to them. Photo by Michael Herrera

Engineering students develop hi-tech toy cars for kids with disabilities

Cassidy Alexander December 8, 2015
Toy cars redesigned by engineering students gives children with disabilities a chance at new activities.
ISQs made simpler, shorter and easier for students

ISQs made simpler, shorter and easier for students

Cassidy Alexander November 24, 2015
The newly-changed ISQs are now much shorter and ask more pertinent questions to better evaluate professors.
Students sometimes snooze through class. But what is it costing them? 

Photo by Cassidy Alexander

The cost of cutting class: why your dollars go down the drain when you skip

Cassidy Alexander November 23, 2015
Deciding not to attend classes can cost students up to $40 per week.
Brittany Gorelick works on a printmaking project in the Fine Arts Building. Printmaking classes are offered through the Art and Design Department. 

Photo by Cassidy Alexander

Art and design department seeks specialized accreditation

Cassidy Alexander November 23, 2015
The department has been waiting since 2004 to apply to the National Association of Schools of Arts and Design.
Tom and Betty Petway Hall  Photo courtesy of UNF Digital Commons

ASL lends a helping hand at Starbucks

Cassidy Alexander November 13, 2015
UNF student Katie Wyble has gained national recognition for her use of ASL in assisting a deaf Starbucks customer.
The Student Union is home to a number of free events for UNF Students. Photo by Alexis Molinaro.

Table tennis tournament calls for costumes

Cassidy Alexander October 29, 2015
The Student Union will be hosting a Halloween-themed table tennis tournament on Oct. 29.
Photo by Luiza Motta

Vegemite and pork brains: students try Ghastly Gourmet at Market Day

Cassidy Alexander October 28, 2015
Seven of UNF’s bravest students competed to eat some adventurous dishes from around the world.
Supporters wait for Donald Trump to speak at the Jacksonville Landing. Photo by Kristen Smith

Trump rally brings large crowd to Jacksonville Landing

Cassidy Alexander October 26, 2015
Supporters and detractors alike came out to the Republican candidate's event on Saturday.
Trump making a campaign stop in Jacksonville this Saturday

Trump making a campaign stop in Jacksonville this Saturday

Cassidy Alexander October 21, 2015
Donald Trump is having a campaign rally at the Jacksonville Landing Oct. 24.
On-campus options: Go get your flu shot

On-campus options: Go get your flu shot

Cassidy Alexander October 21, 2015
What to do if you get the flu, where you can get a flu shot on campus, and a lesson in needles.
Volunteers gather at the resource fair before the march through campus, ready to offer resources to anyone interested. 

Photo by Michael Herrera

Take Back the Night empowers survivors of domestic violence and abuse

Cassidy Alexander October 7, 2015
UNF students and faculty came together to tell their stories and support the victims of everyday oppression.
Health Promotions kicks off Healthy Campus Week with Fresh block party

Health Promotions kicks off Healthy Campus Week with “Fresh” block party

Cassidy Alexander October 1, 2015
The So Fresh, So Clean kickoff event let students know about the many ways they can live healthier, and that UNF is now smoke free.
Osprey LiNK, an organization dedicated to helping people in North Korea, brought this informational board to the showing of The Peoples Crisis- a documentary showing the problems refugees from the country face. Photo by Cassidy Alexander

Osprey LiNK schools students with The People’s Crisis documentary

Cassidy Alexander September 28, 2015
The UNF chapter of LiNK shows The People's Crisis documentary to students.
Honors students host an event for local refugees to help them learn about American traditions like Thanksgiving. Each year the Honors Program works with refugees in numerous ways as part of a semester-long service project. 
Photo courtesy Dr. Leslie Kaplan, Honors Program

Refugee crisis hits close to home

Cassidy Alexander September 28, 2015
As the stress of the refugee crisis hits Jacksonville, a UNF engineering major and refugee details his journey, and what it means for others in his position.
Graphic by Rachel Rector

Unintentional injury is leading cause of death for college-aged students

Cassidy Alexander September 17, 2015
In the past few years, several UNF students have died from these causes.
The Taser Axon Flex body camera Photo by Michael Herrera

UNFPD implements body cameras, mixed feelings all around

Cassidy Alexander September 17, 2015
After a delay of almost a year, Campus police can now record activity using body cameras. UNFPD chief focused on earning the trust of students, faculty and staff.
Patty Klocko is a recent UNF graduate who used GoFundMe to help raise money for a summer class. Klocko is one a many students across the country who are turning to crowdfunding to help pay for their education. 

Photo courtesy Patty Klocko

Students turn to crowdfunding to cover rising cost of college

Cassidy Alexander September 15, 2015
As the cost of attending college continues to grow, some UNF students have turned to crowdfunding to help stay afloat.
Photo by Spinnaker Media

Opinion: Busting the ‘best years of our lives’ myth

Cassidy Alexander September 10, 2015
The popular phrase "the best four years of your life" is put under the microscope by UNF professors and alumni.
Opinion: Elected representatives taking advantage of students’ summertime absence

Opinion: Elected representatives taking advantage of students’ summertime absence

Cassidy Alexander August 26, 2015
Over the summer, a nearly empty Student Government passed several expensive bills on a nearly empty campus. Why are our leaders being so sneaky?
Graphic by David Guerrero

Less preparation in high school leads to roadblocks in college

Cassidy Alexander July 27, 2015
Mandatory courses for freshmen do little more than add money and time on the path to graduation.
A symbol for equality. Photo courtesy Facebook

Opinion: Florida poised to take another step for LGBT rights

Cassidy Alexander May 4, 2015
The Competitive Workforce Act will make it easier for LGBT individuals and those whose gender identity may differ from the norm to find jobs and places to live.
Opinion: The future is now, and it’s kind of creepy

Opinion: The future is now, and it’s kind of creepy

Cassidy Alexander May 1, 2015
Holographic performances definitely grab the media's attention, but are holograms of the late greats ethical?
Opinion: One Spark has some fine-tuning to do

Opinion: One Spark has some fine-tuning to do

Cassidy Alexander April 22, 2015
Opinion: One Spark 2015 may be over, but there are still ways it could improved for the future.
Photo courtesy of Dollar Photo Club

Opinion: Efforts to get students to graduation may be futile

Cassidy Alexander April 13, 2015
Opinion: Policies and regulations intended to help students graduate are not working.
Graphic by Michael Salussolia

Opinion: FM radio station helps legitimize UNF

Cassidy Alexander April 13, 2015
Opinion: Our student-run radio station features college indie music and local bands in its rotation, giving UNF’s campus an individual identity you won’t get from listening to other FM stations in the area. It increases the sense of community that the school and its students want.
Opinion: In defense of our generation

Opinion: In defense of our generation

Cassidy Alexander April 7, 2015
Opinion: The millennial generation is more than the low expectations that have been set for them.
New SG vice president resigns from Senate

New SG vice president resigns from Senate

Cassidy Alexander April 3, 2015
Student Government Vice President Hailey Guerra resigned to focus on her new duties as SG vice president, according to Cody Quattlebaum, who handles public relations for the United Party.
According to Serwatka, UNF is tied with Florida State University for eighth place among the 11 universities ranked by the Board of Governors. 
Photo by Morgan Purvis

Board of Trustees expresses dissatisfaction with funding, audits

Cassidy Alexander April 2, 2015
At the April 1 Board of Trustees meeting, President John Delaney spoke about reserving as much money as possible because the metric allows for no predictability for funding in the coming year. Several members expressed discontent with the funding model...
In Florida, a bill is working its way through the House of Representatives that would make it illegal for someone to use a public restroom if the restroom is not specifically for their gender.
Graphic by Mike Salussolia

Opinion: UNF’s acceptance not reflected elsewhere

Cassidy Alexander March 27, 2015
Florida just recently legalized same-sex marriage, yet in this same state a bill is working its way through the House of Representatives that would make it illegal for someone to use a public restroom if the restroom is not specifically for their gender.
Spring break just isn’t what is used to be.
Photo courtesy Twitter

Opinion: Spring break is a chance to catch your breath

Cassidy Alexander March 22, 2015
While some people blow off steam during spring break like a popping balloon -- with a bang that includes everything from celebratory binge drinking to partying and mistakes -- I’d rather do it like an air mattress -- slowly decompressing over a span of time.
Students celebrate by Swooping with Head Coach Matt Driscoll.

Opinion: March madness helps UNF realize its potential

Cassidy Alexander March 16, 2015
Whatever impact UNF’s participation in the Big Dance has in the future, such as increases in enrollment of prospective students, the most important thing it’s done is increase the amount of pride people have in their school.
Graphic by Michael Salussolie

Opinion: Students are humans too, who deserve privacy

Cassidy Alexander March 13, 2015
Opinion: University of Oregon’s administration is disrespecting students’ rights by pulling post-rape therapy records to build a defense case.
Alexander

Opinion: Will more information cure student apathy?

Cassidy Alexander March 7, 2015
Student apathy is commonly considered a major concern at UNF, but will more advertising and information about events for students resolve that concern? The three presidential candidates seem to think so, but maybe it's not that students aren't interested in being involved on campus, but rather the events do not appeal to most students.
Graphic by Emelie Pineda

Opinion: “Binge-culture” not bad, just new

Cassidy Alexander March 6, 2015
People have been concerned about kids’ “shrinking attention spans” for years, blaming their dwindling ability to focus on the Internet and other new technology. However, consuming media all at once then moving on is just as problematic for adults, who have the same access to technology and all its effects, proving that it's a culture-wide shift.
Photo by Camille Shaw

Opinion: Student media publish the truth, people get upset

Cassidy Alexander February 26, 2015
The recent Jack White incident at Oklahoma University was no an isolated incident of big companies attempting to control what student media publish and do not publish. Two years ago, UNF had a similar dilemma when Osprey Productions hosted a performance by musician Billy Joel. In sum, companies trying to regulate the content of student media violates the rights of the press (even if it is student-run press.)
Opinion: Feminism faux pas at the Oscars

Opinion: Feminism faux pas at the Oscars

Cassidy Alexander February 25, 2015
Opinion: Patricia Arquette’s acceptance speech at the Oscars included her call to work toward wage equality between men and women in America, but she fails to address that there are other factors, such as race and ethnicity, that also play a role in wage inequality.
 Graphic by Emelie Pineda

Opinion: Sorry meninists, feminists beat you to the punch

Cassidy Alexander February 23, 2015
#Meninism has become a popular trend on the internet. What could have been an opportunity to address and change toxic masculinity has turned into a convention for enhancing negative stereotypes.
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