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UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

Grae Barron

Grae Barron, Reporter

Grae Barron is a Multimedia Intern at Spinnaker, specializing in news and TV. They work with the news department and television department to create stories on the topic of education at and around the University of North Florida. Grae is a senior at UNF, majoring in communication with a focus on multimedia journalism. Minoring in psychology and community leadership, they hope to bring a unique perspective to stories and accurately report on important issues to their fellow students. Grae’s goal is to work behind the scenes in television.

All content by Grae Barron
Photo courtesy of University of North Florida.

What to know and what’s changing about UNF’s graduation

Grae Barron, Reporter April 26, 2023

It’s graduation season and finals week will be over before we know it. Here’s what to know and what to expect for the University of North Florida's graduation next week. Leading up to the event,...

Lissie Morales, the president of Students for a Democratic Society, holds a homemade sign in front of Lazzara Hall where University of North Florida President Moez Limayem would later be inaugurated.

Behind the students of activist group Students for a Democratic Society

Grae Barron, Reporter April 21, 2023

With the onslaught of bills targeting university students, faculty and staff, protests are happening rain or shine all around Florida. Here at the University of North Florida, students often protest with...

FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis answers questions from the media in the Florida Cabinet following his State of the State address during a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. Advocates for open government are ringing alarms about plans by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration that could make it harder to learn what public officials are doing and to speak out against them. (AP Photo/Phil Sears, File)

Florida “Don’t Say Gay” law expanded to ban discussion of sexual orientation, gender identity in K-12 public schools

Grae Barron, Reporter April 19, 2023

The Florida Board of Education approved the expansion of what is widely known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law on Wednesday, banning discussion of gender identity in all K-12 public schools in the state. Gov....

Lissie Morales, the president of Students for a Democratic Society, holds a homemade sign in front of Lazzara Hall where University of North Florida President Moez Limayem would later be inaugurated.

Silent protest held outside UNF president’s inauguration ceremony

Grae Barron, Reporter April 14, 2023

Protesters from Students for a Democratic Society met in front of Lazzara Hall where University of North Florida President Moez Limayem would later be officially inaugurated Friday morning. Standing...

Rep. Stan McClain, R-Ocala, was relieved to finally pass CS/CS/HB 133 with a final vote of 76 Yeas to 44 Nays, on the House Floor. February 22, 2020. Photo courtesy of Florida House of Representative Stan McClain Photo Album.

“Don’t Say Gay” bill expected to expand with HB 1069

Grae Barron, Reporter April 7, 2023

Florida’s infamous “Don’t Say Gay” bill is in the process of being expanded into HB 1069 to include prekindergarten to eighth grade in its restrictions, among other changes. The current version...

(Tingey Injury Law Firm/Unsplash)

Eleventh Circuit Court blocks Stop WOKE Act; a timeline and the future

Grae Barron, Reporter March 24, 2023

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals has blocked the infamous Stop WOKE Act from public universities again, claiming that it violates the First Amendment and the Fourteenth Amendment.  Florida House...

FILE -The number of attempts to ban or restrict library resources in schools, universities and public libraries was on track to exceed record counts in 2021, the American Library Association reported eight months into 2022. “The unprecedented number of challenges we’re seeing already this year reflects coordinated, national efforts to silence marginalized or historically underrepresented voices and deprive all of us – young people, in particular – of the chance to explore a world beyond the confines of personal experience,” said ALA President Lessa Kananiʻopua Pelayo-Lozada. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

UNF education students worry for the future as DeSantis releases approved books list

Grae Barron, Reporter March 13, 2023

Bookshelves are thinning in Duval County Public Schools in compliance with recent approved books lists from the state leaving some education students at the University of North Florida wondering if the...

Florida Rep. Alex Andrade on the House floor in 2021. Photo courtesy of the Florida House of Representatives photo album.

HB 999 mirrors DeSantis pledge to eliminate diversity funding in Florida higher education

Grae Barron and Carter Mudgett March 10, 2023

Florida House Bill 999 has sparked mass debate over the future of Florida public universities as it looks to establish new guidelines for employment and degree programs if passed.  The new proposed...

A student records in class with Dr. Rita Brodnax's approval.

Can you record in class?

Grae Barron, Reporter February 27, 2023

The line between privacy and academic growth has blurred as students are now legally allowed to record class lectures without permission from professors. However, some University of North Florida faculty...

(Black History Month Graphic/Spinnaker)

UNF celebrates Black History Month; here’s the rundown

Grae Barron, Reporter February 7, 2023

Black History Month has begun and the University of North Florida is celebrating with events from multiple organizations on campus all month long.   Starting on the Feb. 1, the Intercultural Center...

Emmitt Glynn is seen from just outside his classroom at Baton Rouge Magnet High School teaching his second AP African American studies class on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023 in Baton Rouge, La. Baton Rouge Magnet High School in Louisiana is one of 60 schools around the country testing the new course, which has gained national attention since it was banned in Florida. (AP Photo/Stephen Smith)

Some UNF faculty worried about higher education implications after College Board releases revised framework for AP African American Studies

Grae Barron, Reporter February 3, 2023

After Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis rejected the Advanced Placement African American Studies course from state high schools, the College Board released a revised version earlier this week that focused on topics...

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Performers announced for UNF’s OzFestival 2023; some students disappointed

Grae Barron, Reporter January 20, 2023

Ozfestival ─ also known as Ozfest ─is one of the most anticipated events of the year, and the University of North Florida (UNF) announced that Yung Gravy would be headlining the event, alongside...

Self-service kiosks have been added to the UNF Student Union food court.

New self-service kiosks launch at many on-campus dining locations

Grae Barron, Reporter January 13, 2023

Students at the University of North Florida (UNF) are in for a treat with the addition of self-checkout kiosks at the start of the spring semester. A year in the making, the new customer-driven system...

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