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UNF Spinnaker

UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

Hayley Simonson

Hayley Simonson

All content by Hayley Simonson
Photo by Ronnie Rodgers.

UNF mourns the loss of a fellow Osprey

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter November 10, 2020

On Nov. 9,  the UNF Dean of Students released an email notifying the campus community of the very tragic loss of UNF student Tristan Klepzig last week.  “Friends, community members, faculty and...

Photo from CDC

UNF reports new COVID cases doubled last week

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter November 9, 2020

The university’s most recent update surrounding confirmed coronavirus cases among students and faculty indicated that as of Nov. 5, the number of new cases has doubled in the last week.  COVID...

UNF Gallery presents ‘How Soon Is Now’ exhibition

UNF Gallery presents ‘How Soon Is Now’ exhibition

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter November 6, 2020

The UNF Gallery of art has put on an exhibit called ‘How Soon Is Now,’ that students can visit and admire for free.    The exhibit hosts works in ceramics, drawing, graphic design,...

Photo from Google Images Drive

How diet plays a role in brain function

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter October 30, 2020

Maybe it’s the cramming before an exam, excessive class load, or 9 a.m. twice every week - whatever it is, college students know what it’s like for brain function to feel like it’s hitting a plateau,...

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com

Jacksonville mask mandate will expire today unless extended by mayor

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter October 27, 2020

The executive order that has kept masks mandatory in Jacksonville since June will expire today at 5 p.m. if Mayor Lenny Curry decides to not extend it. The order has been continuously extended every 30...

The words Police Beat are written in red and white, surrounded by a white square outline. In the background, a University of North Florida Police Department cruiser is tinted blue.

Former UNF Student Sean Lovins on House Arrest

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter October 27, 2020

Former UNF student Sean Lovin’s recent request for bond was granted almost two years after he was arrested by UNFPD as a suspect for murder in the second degree. The suspect is now on house arrest and...

The influencer lifestyle isnt attainable for everyone

The influencer lifestyle isn’t attainable for everyone

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter October 26, 2020

The rise of influencers has continuously contributed to a world where people are encouraged to prove themselves through the image of their financial status. We have a society increasingly obsessed with...

The words Police Beat are written in red and white, surrounded by a white square outline. In the background, a University of North Florida Police Department cruiser is tinted blue.

Is there a serial burglar at the Flats?

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter October 23, 2020

The Flats have continued to be the target of mysterious burglaries and the culprits have yet to be caught. This begs the question: Is UNF dealing with a serial burglar?  “We are not sure if the perpetrator...

Mail-in ballot request deadline approaching

Mail-in ballot request deadline approaching

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter October 22, 2020

It’s crunch time -- the general election is just under two weeks away, and the deadline to request your mail-in ballot is on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 5 p.m.  Call your county elections office or go...

The words Police Beat are written in red and white, surrounded by a white square outline. In the background, a University of North Florida Police Department cruiser is tinted blue.

UNF Flats endures two new burglaries on Saturday

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter October 11, 2020

The UNF Police Department was dispatched to the The Flats Residence community regarding two new burglaries. This comes just about five weeks after another set of similar burglaries at The Flats.   The...

The Writing Center encourages students to submit in the 2020 General Election Informed Citizens Writing Contest.

The Writing Center encourages students to submit in the 2020 General Election Informed Citizens Writing Contest.

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter October 8, 2020

Students may not think there’s any benefit to voluntarily writing another research paper, but Linda Howell, Director and Senior Instructor for the UNF Writing Program and Center, encourages students...

Professors give opinions on uncertainty of spring semester

Professors give opinions on uncertainty of spring semester

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter October 5, 2020

Several UNF professors have come out against a full return to campus for the Spring 2021 semester in anonymous statements to Spinnaker. One even went as far as to call the University's president a "yes-man"...

Cash Prizes offered by the Writing Center for the 2020 General Election Informed Citizen Writing Contest

Cash Prizes offered by the Writing Center for the 2020 General Election Informed Citizen Writing Contest

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter October 3, 2020

If you’re feeling extra passionate about this year’s election, you may want to check out the UNF Writing Center’s new cash prize contest that has officially opened for submission and entry. The...

Partake in virtual fitness classes through UNFs Wellness Center

Partake in virtual fitness classes through UNF’s Wellness Center

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter October 2, 2020

Ospreys, do you miss group fitness through the UNF Wellness Center? Even though all group fitness classes were canceled for the fall 2020 semester due to COVID-19, you can still stay plugged in with some...

UNF 2021 Spring Break cancelled

UNF 2021 Spring Break cancelled

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter October 2, 2020

Spring Break of 2021 will be cancelled in an attempt to continue mitigation of the coronavirus, according to a recent Osprey email from the university. “We believe these adjustments will reduce the...

College students facing an unemployment crisis

College students facing an unemployment crisis

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter September 29, 2020

Featured image by Emilio Takas via Unsplash. Stimulus checks from six months ago have dried up, and college graduates are competing with 30 million other unemployed Americans for jobs. The class of...

ITS service interruption released; UNF upgrades firewall

ITS service interruption released; UNF upgrades firewall

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter September 28, 2020

An ITS service interruption was released by UNF shortly after Flagler College, in St. Augustine, announced that one of their databases was the target of a ransomware attack.  The University of North...

UNF professor talks benefits and myths of sunscreen

UNF professor talks benefits and myths of sunscreen

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter September 21, 2020

Featured Image : georgeclerk | Getty Images Most people are instilled with the idea that if you’re going to be in the sun, you need to be wearing sunscreen. Experience and research proves to us that...

Joe Brenton. Photo courtesy Joanna Norris

Four year anniversary of UNF employee’s murder

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter September 21, 2020

It has been four years since UNF IT engineer, Joe Brenton, was tragically murdered in his own home.  On Sept. 21, 2016,  Joe Brenton, husband and father, was 48 when he was shot and killed through...

Time to suit up! JCPenney offers sale on dress attire

Time to suit up! JCPenney offers sale on dress attire

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter September 17, 2020

JCPenney is offering up to an extra 30% off on career dress for UNF students, faculty, staff and alumni at their annual Suit-Up event. The event takes place September 18, 2020 through September 20,...

Whats up with marijuana legalization?

What’s up with marijuana legalization?

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter September 14, 2020

A UNF professor commented on the legalization of marijuana in the United States in light of the recent arrest of a UNF student at Osprey Villages for felony cannabis possession. Dr. Michael Hallett,...

UNF wins Healthiest Company Award for the 12th year in a row

UNF wins Healthiest Company Award for the 12th year in a row

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter September 14, 2020

The First Coast Worksite Wellness Council's annual 'Healthiest Company Award’ went to the University of North Florida for the 12th year in a row. UNF received this award in August 2020 in partnership...

Photo by Ronnie Rogers

Chief of UPD comments on burglaries at the Flats

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter September 10, 2020

UNFPD’S Director of Police and Public Safety, Chief Mackesy, addressed the importance of watching out for each other and staying safe on campus following the two burglaries at The Flats residence hall.  Chief...

Graphic by Erika Romanczuk

Where’s our tuition money going?

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter September 9, 2020

A majority of the University of North Florida’s courses were moved online this fall for remote learning, while restrictions on amenities and activities were tightened. Many students were pushed to stay...

The words Police Beat are written in red and white, surrounded by a white square outline. In the background, a University of North Florida Police Department cruiser is tinted blue.

UNF student arrested for possession of a felony-level controlled substance

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter September 2, 2020

On August 25, A UNF student living at the Osprey Villages was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, according to a police report. UPD was dispatched to the student’s room due to the odor...

The CDC updates its guidelines

The CDC updates its guidelines

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter September 1, 2020

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently updated its guidelines three weeks into the college semester. The CDC has been a well-known symbol of direction for Americans navigating...

Today marks the 60th anniversary of Ax Handle Saturday

Today marks the 60th anniversary of Ax Handle Saturday

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter August 27, 2020

Featured Image courtesy of First Coast News. August 27 is the day that became known as Ax Handle Saturday in Jacksonville. A number of socially distanced demonstrators are expected to come out in commemoration...

Is caffeine helping or harming college students?

Is caffeine helping or harming college students?

Hayley Simonson, Reporter August 21, 2020

College is an institution that demands hard work, dedication, and lots of brainpower. To make it through, we often sacrifice our sanity. Much more than that, our sleep schedule. A student’s intake of...

Fun things to do in Jacksonville amid a pandemic

Fun things to do in Jacksonville amid a pandemic

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter August 19, 2020

Whether you are new to the University of North Florida, a returning student, or a permanent resident in the area, Jacksonville has a lot to offer. Popular city activities have adapted to the COVID-19...

Today is the 100-year anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment

Today is the 100-year anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter August 18, 2020

Today marks the 100-year anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment. The amendment prohibits the United States from denying American citizens the right to vote on the basis of sex.  One-hundred years...

Mysterious black shuttles are just temporary

Mysterious black shuttles are just temporary

Hayley Simonson, Police reporter August 18, 2020

Returning students may have noticed that the Osprey Connector, the university’s shuttle transportation system used throughout campus, looks different this Fall semester. The university is currently using...

UNFPD police cars. Photo by Lili Weinstein

Police Beat: An arrest at Flats, stolen card and a hit and run in Lot 53

Hayley Simonson April 7, 2020

Two Males Arrested at the Flats for Possession of Marijuana  Early evening on March 19, UPD was dispatched to the UNF flats apartment after a resident reported two males displaying questionable behavior...

At home beauty tips while salons are closed

At home beauty tips while salons are closed

Hayley Simonson March 25, 2020

In most places around the country, salons have shut down to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This also includes many popular stores known for selling hair, skin, and beauty products. A lot of people have...

flowers

UNF Spring Break special hours

Hayley Simonson, Police Reporter March 11, 2020

If you’re looking to skip the travel this year and stick around locally for spring break, here’s a list of the university’s upcoming hours for the week of March 16-22: Bookstore:  Monday,...

SDS

SDS speaks on why they attended Madeleine Albright’s lecture

Hayley Simonson February 7, 2020

On Wednesday night, three UNF students protested the appearance of former Secretary of State, Madeleine K. Albright. “If you pluck the feathers off a chicken one at a time, no one will notice,”...

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