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UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

All content by Jessica May
Police cars. Photo by Spinnaker Media.

Reported burglary at the Crossings

Jessica May March 11, 2019

A student reported to the University Police Department that $500 was missing from her dorm room Monday at The Crossings, Building S, according to an emergency alert released by the university. The student...

Cheryl Gonzalez. Courtesy of UNFs Equal Opportunity and Diversity.

Director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity to leave UNF to pursue passion

Jessica May January 10, 2019

After eight years of service at the University of North Florida Director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Cheryl Gonzalez will be leaving the university. Gonzalez’s impact on UNF is seen all throughout...

Photo by Mark Judson

Greek-life culture at UNF: What is it and how does it function?

Jessica May January 2, 2019

This article was originally published in the Fall 2018 “Culture of UNF Issue”.  Joining a fraternity or sorority is a great way to make lifelong friends in college. Greek life at UNF strives to...

 Graphic  by Rachelle Keller

Police Beat: Stolen laptop, wallet, and reported damage

Jessica May, Police Reporter December 4, 2018

Stolen laptop A victim of laptop theft met with police at the University Police Department on Nov. 13 in regards to the loss of his device. The victim told UNFPD that he had plugged his laptop...

Graphic by Rachelle Keller

Police Beat: Mysterious biohazard, missing bike and unknown male

Jessica May November 24, 2018

What is that... UNFPD responded to an investigation in the Fine Arts Building’s women’s restroom on Nov. 8. A staff member of Physical Facilities found blood in a toilet with unknown contents...

Graphic by Jessica May

How to have a Friendsgiving on a budget

Jessica May November 21, 2018

Planning a Thanksgiving with your friends? There are plenty of ways to do it, but having a Friendsgiving on a budget can be a little tricky. Meeting up with your friends to discuss the meal beforehand...

 Graphic  by Rachelle Keller

Police beat: marijuana and stolen clothes

Jessica May, Police Reporter November 18, 2018

Caught drug-handed On Monday, Oct. 22, a UNFPD officer saw a student throw a blunt down onto the floor, according to a UNFPD report. The student reportedly admitted to smoking marijuana to the officer....

UNFPD police cars. Photo by Lili Weinstein

UNF Clery Act Committee reflects on other universities’ mistakes

Jessica May, Police Reporter November 16, 2018

The Clery Act committee met on Nov. 15 to discuss general business from their last meeting and the University of Montana’s Clery Act audit. The University of Montana is being fined nearly $1 million...

Graphic by Kaitlyn Sinardi

Getting hooked on campus: phishing scams

Jessica May November 8, 2018

There has been phishing on campus and it isn’t in the lakes. According to an Osprey Update for faculty and staff, university employees have become targets to a phishing scam. The scam seems to...

Courtesy of the Jacksonville Fairgrounds Facebook page.

The perfect fall escape: The Jacksonville Fair is only here for a few more days

Jessica May November 8, 2018

The smell of fried food and the sound of screaming riders is only in town for a few more days. The Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair is ending soon, but if you still want to go, there is time....

Graphic by Sam Chaney

Amendments 6, 10 and 11 pass

Sam Chaney, Jessica May, and Aisling Glocke November 7, 2018

Amendment 6: Victim Rights and Judge Retirement Ages Floridians voted on November 6, 2018 to pass Amendment 6 that will change victims’ rights, raise the current retirement age on Florida judges,...

Graphic by Sam Chaney

Amendments 2, 5 and 7 passed

Sam Chaney, Aisling Glocke, and Jessica May November 6, 2018

Amendment 2: Permanent Cap on Nonhomestead Parcel Assessment Increases Amendment This proposal was designed to place a permanent 10 percent cap on the annual increase of non-homestead property tax assessments...

Graphic by Sam Chaney

Amendments 3, 12, and 13 pass

Sam Chaney and Jessica May November 6, 2018

Amendment 3: Voter Control of Gambling in Florida Amendment 3 decides who gets the exclusive right to decide whether or not a new casino can open in the Sunshine State: the voters or the Florida Legislature. In...

Jason Fischer

Jason Fischer wins State House District 16

Jessica May November 6, 2018

UNF Alum, Jason Fischer wins the representative seat for the 16th congressional district in Florida as a Republican. Fischer graduated from UNF with a degree in Electrical Engineering where he continued...

Joyce wins school board district 6

Joyce wins school board district 6

Jessica May November 6, 2018

UNF Alum, Charlotte Joyce wins the election of the school board's sixth district. Joyce graduated from UNF with a degree in political science and has taught and working in schools first-hand. The...

Elizabeth Andersen

UNF Alum wins District 2 School Board

Jessica May November 6, 2018

UNF alum Elizabeth Andersen wins the District 2 School Board elections. This district includes the beaches and Intracoastal west area of Jacksonville, as well as some parts of the Southside. This...

Nancy Soderberg

Soderberg takes a loss to Maltz for a representative seat

Jessica May November 6, 2018

Democrat Nancy Soderberg loses to Republican Michael Waltz for the representative seat for the sixth congressional district. Florida’s sixth congressional seat has not been held by a democrat...

Amendment 9 passes: Indoor vaping and offshore drilling are over with

Amendment 9 passes: Indoor vaping and offshore drilling are over with

Jessica May November 6, 2018

Nov. 6 the Ninth Amendment on the Florida 2018 ballot has been passed which concludes the use of vapes and e-cigarettes indoors and the end of drilling offshore. With the passing of this amendment,...

Photo courtesy of Ballotpedia.

John Rutherford re-elected as Florida Representative

Jessica May November 6, 2018

John Rutherford earned himself a re-election for Florida Representative in the fourth congressional district. Rutherford is the current Republican representative for this district. He was elected...

Florida’s Ninth Amendment forces voters to choose between two obscure decisions

Jessica May November 4, 2018

Florida voters who support offshore drilling but aren’t fans of vaping will face a dilemma this November. It would make sense for many to vote on the issue of offshore oil and gas drilling and vaping...

Attorney General and Commissioner of Agriculture Breakdown

Jessica May and Carly Kramer November 4, 2018

Attorney General The Attorney General is the leader of the Florida Department of Legal Affairs. They are responsible for citizen protection, prosecution, development of legal opinion and being a representative...

Photo by Ronnie Rogers

Reported sexual assault at the Flats

Jessica May November 3, 2018

A UNF student was attending a party at the Flats early Saturday morning and was allegedly drugged and assaulted according to an Osprey Update sent out to students around 6:47 p.m. The Update said the...

Graphic by Sam Chaney

According to a United Nations report, we will start seeing the effects of climate change in 12 years

Jessica May October 30, 2018

The United Nations’ intergovernmental panel on climate change released a new report on Oct. 8  about the immediate effects of climate change that we may soon face, and the news isn’t pretty. The...

Overview of local Halloween events

Overview of local Halloween events

Jessica May October 29, 2018

Not sure what to do for Halloween? Spinnaker dug through the event calendars to find Halloween-themed events going on around campus and around town! Howl-O-Ween Barktacular Are the clubs not...

Vigil to be held at UNF following synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh

Vigil to be held at UNF following synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh

Jessica May, Police Reporter October 27, 2018

The Jewish community across the United States were shocked to find that eleven people were killed in a mass shooting, and UNF’s Jewish community was no different. The UNF Interfaith Center and the Jewish...

Florida Department of Transportation’s initiative of pedestrian safety at UNF

Florida Department of Transportation’s initiative of pedestrian safety at UNF

Jessica May October 25, 2018

The Florida Department of Transportation granted funding to UNF’s Institute of Police Technology and Management for a project designed to increase pedestrian and bicyclist safety. IPTM provides training...

Graph by Jessica Graph.

UNFPD releases campus crime statistics in Annual Security Report

Jessica May October 24, 2018

Rape, domestic violence, assault and stalking are present on UNF campus, according to the Annual Security Report released by the UNFPD. In an attempt to combat this, an online training module called...

Photo courtesy of Ballotpedia.

The 2018 midterm election: The Congressional candidates for Florida’s Fourth District

Jessica May October 23, 2018

The fourth district representatives in Florida represent most of Duval and parts of Nassau and St. Johns County. There are four candidates on the ballot for this area: incumbent John Rutherford, Ges...

Students speak to Spinnaker following the Democratic Rally hosted on-campus

Students speak to Spinnaker following the Democratic Rally hosted on-campus

Jessica May October 23, 2018

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSR6iJb0q0U[/embedyt] — For more information or news tips, or if you see an error in this story or have any compliments or concerns, contact [email protected].

UNF hosted a lecture on Americas role in the changing world. photo by Jessica May.

UNF hosts lecture on America’s role in the changing world

Jessica May October 17, 2018

The question, “Is America in decline?” was posed to a group of 500 to 600 people at the Herbert University Center Tuesday, Oct. 16 by Walter Mead. Mead is a Distinguished Fellow at Hudson Institute,...

Police Beats: Pulled over, a swinging gate, and vandalism in the restroom

Police Beats: Pulled over, a swinging gate, and vandalism in the restroom

Jessica May October 12, 2018

Pulled over and caught A driver was caught with marijuana after being pulled over for speeding on Alumni Drive on Sept. 19, according to a UNFPD report. The driver was reportedly traveling at...

Entry to the LGBT Resource Center. Photo by Tiffany Butler.

LGBT Resource Center granted $30,000

Jessica May October 12, 2018

$30,000 was granted to UNF LGBT Resource center from the LGBTQ Community Fund for Northeast Florida to make the Jacksonville community more inclusive, according to the press release. The school’s...

JU will be closing as a result of Hurricane Michael. Courtesy of JU.

JU closes due to Hurricane Michael

Jessica May October 10, 2018

As UNF has stuck to its decision to continue “operating under normal business hours,” Jacksonville University announced on Oct. 10 that their campus will be closed from 3 p.m. until tomorrow morning,...

Richard Kimball spoke at the Vote Smart lecture event on campus. Photo by Jessica May.

President of “VoteSmart” speaks to students about making informed decisions when voting

Jessica May October 10, 2018

UNF’s Hicks Honors College welcomed the president of VoteSmart, Richard Kimball, who spoke to students about “voter self-defense” and how to find evidence-based information on politicians in order...

Courtesy of the National Weather Service.

Tornado watches are expected in Jacksonville today due to Hurricane Michael

Jessica May October 10, 2018

Tornado watches are expected later on Wednesday Oct. 10 with the landfall of Hurricane Michael, according to the National Weather Service Jacksonville. “Landfalling major hurricanes are known to...

Courtesy of Florida State University.

Florida State University closes campus through Friday due to Hurricane Michael

Jessica May October 9, 2018

Florida State University will be closing its doors due to incoming Hurricane Michael, which is currently a Category 1 hurricane. FSU released a statement early Oct. 8 telling students that Tallahassee...

Recently appointed Supreme Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Court of Appeals.

Woman on the Street: Students react to the appointment of Judge Brett Kavanaugh

Jessica May October 9, 2018

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APkcdO4jbJQ[/embedyt] Video by Jessica May and Sam Chaney — For more information or news tips, or if you see an error in this story or have any compliments...

The Gandhi Statue in Peace Plaza is continuing to rust.

Celebrating Gandhi’s birthday

Jessica May October 7, 2018

The University of North Florida and members of the Gandhi Memorial Society put on a celebration in Peace Plaza to remember and celebrate Gandhi's birthday on Saturday, Oct. 4. Members in attendance...

Graphic by Rachelle Keller

Police Beat: A fraudulent ID, a stolen bike, notes on a truck and a drunk guy

Jessica May October 4, 2018

A lost backpack found trouble UNFPD, as well as staff members from the Osprey Clubhouse, responded to reports of a found backpack on Sept. 28. According to the police report, the officer found...

Red tide forces the Florida Wildlife Conservation to regulate snook and redfish in Southwest Florida

Red tide forces the Florida Wildlife Conservation to regulate snook and redfish in Southwest Florida

Jessica May October 4, 2018

The Florida Wildlife Conservation has temporarily made snook and redfish catch-and-release only from the northernmost point of Anna Maria Island in Manatee County to Gordon Pass in Collier County, according...

Courtesy of iTunes.

The FAFSA application for the 2019-2020 school year is open and includes a new app

Jessica May October 1, 2018

The gates have been opened on Oct. 1 for students to apply for the Free Application For Student Aid for the 2019-2020 academic year, but this time it comes with a twist. This year, FAFSA introduced...

The Chegg Logo

Chegg data breach may affect students

Jessica May September 28, 2018

UNF students who use the textbook rental company Chegg may have been affected by a security breach. An email was sent to users on Sept. 28 informing them there was a breach. “We recently discovered...

Graphic by Sam Chaney

Study shows that parental pressure affects students’ decisions for college

Jessica May September 28, 2018

Students are becoming heavily influenced by their parents when picking a college or major in college, according to a Noel-Levitz Benchmark Psychographic study, titled Institutional Brand and Parental...

Courtesy of the Career Success Center.

UNF presents the Osprey Career Fair

Jessica May September 27, 2018

Students will have the opportunity to attend the Osprey Career Fair this Friday Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Adam E. Herbert University Center. This free event will allow students to explore...

Gathering of attendees at Black Lives Matter rally listening to guest speaker speak.

UNF SDS holds a Blacks Lives Matter rally to stand against racial injustice and police brutality

Jessica May, Khorri Newton, and Heydi Ortiz September 27, 2018

Students gathered on the Green on Wednesday, Sept. 26 for a Black Lives Matter rally hosted by the Students for a Democratic Society. The event was hosted as a means of standing against social and racial...

Students waiting outside of the Thomas G. Library.

Students evacuate library after fire alarm goes off

Hannah Lee and Jessica May September 26, 2018

Students evacuated the Thomas G. Carpenter Library and Starbucks after the fire alarm in Bldg. 12 went off Wednesday, Sept. 26. [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3dBKpddMiU[/embedyt] Video...

Graphic by Rachelle Keller

Police Beat: An abundance of car issues

Jessica May September 23, 2018

Interrupted nap UNF Parking Services called UNFPD about someone sleeping in a car while being illegally parked in Lot 16 on Sept. 14. According to the police report, inside the car was an employee...

Anthony Stagnitta mugshot. Courtesy of Bradford County Sheriffs Office.

Jury trial set for UNF student Anthony Stagnitta

Jessica May September 23, 2018

Anthony Stagnitta, who has been charged on two accounts of distributing child pornography on his phone through the instant-messaging app Kik, has been set for trial Jan. 7, 2019. According to the...

Photo courtesy of Tinder

Right-swipe Romeo: UNF Professor discusses romance and modern online dating

Jessica May September 20, 2018

The courtship of what seems like ancient times has nothing in common with the banter experienced over iMessage today. Long walks on the beach and fancy dinners have been replaced “Netflix and Chill”...

Photo by Camille Shaw

UNF student and mother express safety concerns after being allegedly tracked by father

Jessica May September 19, 2018

UNFPD was dispatched to the Thomas G. Carpenter Library when a UNF student and her mother expressed concern for their safety while on campus on Aug. 21. According to the police report, the student...

Graphic by Sam Chaney

Professional U: Preparing UNF students for their future

Jessica May September 17, 2018

Professional U has filled up the event calendar with their multi-day event that will help students utilize and prepare for the upcoming Osprey Career Fair. According to the College of Arts and...

Graphic by Rachelle Keller

Police Beat: A variety of stolen items and a marijuana arrest

Jessica May September 17, 2018

Bid-day mishap UNFPD was dispatched to the Osprey Flats on Sept. 4 in response to a report of a theft. The victim told officials she was attending a sorority event on Sept. 3 on the Green of...

Photo by Camille Shaw

UNF student refused service after alleged assault

Jessica May, Police Reporter September 16, 2018

A student was denied service after being possibly assaulted while in a hammock, according to a police report. A student and his friends were reportedly lying in their hammocks near Candy Cane Lake...

Photo by Camille Shaw

Suspicious activity around vehicles in the Osprey Flats

Jessica May September 15, 2018

University of North Florida Police Department officers were dispatched to the Osprey Flats in response to a report of possible car burglaries. A resident told officials he saw someone trying to...

Graphic by Sam Chaney

Early screening of The Mayo Clinic brings Ken Burns to UNF

Jessica May and Leonardo Paley September 14, 2018

WJCT Public Media presented an advanced partial screening of Ken Burn’s “The Mayo Clinic: Faith, Hope and Science” on Thursday, Sept. 13. Ken Burns has produced and directed some of the most...

Graphic by Sam Chaney

Heavy agenda of in-progress projects with the UNF Space Committee

Jessica May September 12, 2018

Members of the UNF Space Committee met briefly on Wednesday, Sept. 12 to discuss plans for various campus roads and buildings. Plans to renovate the Science and Engineering Building (Bldg. 50) are...

Photo courtesy of WJCT website.

Advanced screening of Ken Burn’s “Mayo Clinic: Faith, Hope and Science” on campus

Jessica May and Leonardo Paley September 12, 2018

WJCT Public Media will be presenting “Mayo Clinic: Faith, Hope and Science,” a Ken Burns Documentary, on Thursday, Sept. 13 in the Lazzara Performance Hall. The film continues the long-running...

Courtesy of the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Florence downgrades to a Category 3 hurricane

Jessica May September 12, 2018

Hurricane Florence is decreasing in forward speed and decreased to a Category 3 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 2 p.m. update. The update stated Florence is still forecasted...

Marketing strategy mistaken for sex trafficking scheme

Marketing strategy mistaken for sex trafficking scheme

Jessica May September 10, 2018

A marketing campaign from the app IRL gained negative exposure when a Twitter user claimed that it was linked to sex trafficking rings. IRL is a real social media app that is reportedly not involved...

Courtesy of Student Government

Student Government: Passing big bills and confirming new members

Jessica May, Police Reporter September 8, 2018

Student Government passed large bills Friday, Sept. 7 in the Senate Chambers to improve Thomas G. Carpenter wifi and improve safety issues in the Student Union. Members of Senate took a vote on the...

Photo courtesy of UNF.

UNF alum gets promoted to UNF’s executive director

Jessica May September 7, 2018

The University of North Florida has advanced communications alum Christopher Warren to executive director in the Office of the President and University Relations. He will assume his duties effective...

Woman on the Street: What are students semester goals?

Woman on the Street: What are students’ semester goals?

Jessica May August 30, 2018

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMBRZP7ZT0U[/embedyt] Video by Hunter Horstman and Jessica May — For more information or news tips, or if you see an error in this story or have any compliments...

Photo by Sam Chaney.

UNF Panhellenic Council plans to change rules to abide by new alcohol policies

Jessica May August 29, 2018

*Correction 10:15 p.m.: The Panhellenic Council plans to change vote on the bylaws in September. Risk management rules were changed in January.  As UNF recently changes its alcohol policies to...

The Jacksonville Landing shortly after the shooting on Aug. 26.

Woman on the Street: UNF students react to Jacksonville Landing shooting

Jessica May August 27, 2018

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2PSwwuzSNY[/embedyt] Video by Jessica May and Joe Girouard.   — For more information or news tips, or if you see an error in this story or have any...

Woman on the Street: Students respond to the myWings update

Woman on the Street: Students respond to the myWings update

Jessica May August 25, 2018

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NulmsFxXGnQ[/embedyt] Video by Hunter Horstman and Jessica May — For more information or news tips, or if you see an error in this story or have any compliments...

Graphic by Sam Chaney

A look at the Republican primary ballot

Jessica May August 16, 2018

Voting as a Republican for the Primary Election? These are the candidates for those voting in the fourth district. United States Senator (Republican) Senators belong to the legislative branch...

Storm clouds pass over the St. Johns River.

Toxic waters cause crisis in South Florida

Jessica May August 13, 2018

Southern shores are becoming littered with dead sea animals due to South Florida’s bright blue-green algae outbreak, and it’s still not over. UNF Biology Professor Dale Casamatta, whose expertise...

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...

A crowd forms for Adam Putnam outside of Terry Concert Hall.

GOP Debate brings division and determination to the Republican Party

Hannah Lee and Jessica May August 9, 2018

Adam Putnam and Ron DeSantis met at Jacksonville University on Aug. 8 to win over the republican votes for the primaries. UNF student Makenzi Conner, a computer science junior, served on the Putnam...

A look at first semester experiences for first-time college students

A look at first semester experiences for first-time college students

Jessica May August 3, 2018

Whether you’re a freshman or a "junior by credits," the first semester of college is nothing anyone can prepare you for. Moving away from home, starting new routines and having to meet new friends are...

400 Alligator eggs are at UNF to study climate change.

Climate Change effects on Alligators: Research at UNF

Jessica May August 2, 2018

https://youtu.be/eeHcFVPtank Video by Jessica May Alligators, Florida's native iconic animal, could be lead to their extinction due to the rising temperatures of the planet. 20 nests and 400 total...

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

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

July 28, 2018

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

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

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

Sam Chaney and Alan Vargas July 28, 2018

Jordan Davis was the son of one of the panelists of the Town Hall Ron Davis.

Courtesy of the UNF Astronomy Club.

Rare appearance of Mars with the UNF Astronomy Club

Jessica May July 24, 2018

The UNF Astronomy Club and the UNF Department of Physics are hosting a wonder-filled Astronomy Night on Friday, July 27. This event will primarily focus on Mars. The night will be prefaced by a...

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