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UNF Spinnaker

UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

Lianna Norman, News Editor

All content by Lianna Norman
Creating in isolation: how student artists are adapting

Creating in isolation: how student artists are adapting

Lianna Norman, Editor in Chief April 24, 2020

Scientifically speaking, everyone is capable of creativity. Most people, whether they’re aware of it or not, are creative in little ways every day. But then there are people who are truly creatively-inclined....

Letter from the editor

Letter from the editor

Lianna Norman, Editor in Chief April 2, 2020

Letter from the editor for April 2, 2020. [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE5XpjqUmSo[/embedyt] __ For more information or news tips, or if you see an error in this story or have any...

Daily's offering care packages for those in need

Daily’s offering care packages for those in need

Lianna Norman, Editor in Chief April 2, 2020

Daily's Dash Locations will be handing out free care packages on Friday, April 3, from 10 a..m. until 2 p.m. Each location will have 100 care packages to hand out. The care packages are for those that...

Letter from the Editor

Letter from the Editor

Lianna Norman, Editor in Chief April 1, 2020

Letter from the editor for March 31, 2020. [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkxQpgf-SFY[/embedyt] __ For more information or news tips, or if you see an error in this story or have any...

Uni News

Uni News

Lianna Norman, Editor in Chief February 7, 2020

Welcome to Uni News, Spinnaker’s rundown of the top stories of the week – every Friday. On this podcast, our team will give a quick recap of the news room’s favorite stories that week. Stories mentioned...

Madam Secretary: A Conversation with Madeleine Albright

Madam Secretary: A Conversation with Madeleine Albright

Lianna Norman, Editor in Chief February 7, 2020

Vladimir Putin is not Madeleine Albright’s biggest fan. In fact, the former U.S. Secretary of State referred to him as a “cold fish” on Wednesday night during "A Conversation with Madeleine Albright"...

Uni News

Uni News

Lianna Norman, Editor-in-Chief December 6, 2019

Welcome to Uni News, Spinnaker’s rundown of the top stories of the week – every Friday. On this podcast, our team will give a quick recap of the news room’s favorite stories that week. All stories...

Uni News

Uni News

Lianna Norman, Editor-in-Chief November 22, 2019

Welcome to Uni News, Spinnaker’s rundown of the top stories of the week – every Friday. On this podcast, our team will give a quick recap of the news room’s favorite stories that week. All stories...

Photo courtesy UNF

Tai Chi at the Student Wellness Complex

Lianna Norman, Editor-in-Chief November 21, 2019

The Confucius center may no longer exist at UNF, but it left an impression on our campus through an unusual avenue: exercise. Tai Chi is not just good for your body, though, it's also good for your mind....

Uni News

Uni News

Lianna Norman, Editor-in-Chief November 15, 2019

Welcome to Uni News, Spinnaker’s rundown of the top stories of the week – every Friday. On this podcast, our team will give a quick recap of the news room’s favorite stories that week. All stories...

Uni News

Uni News

Lianna Norman, Editor-in-Chief November 8, 2019

Welcome to Uni News, Spinnaker’s rundown of the top stories of the week – every Friday. On this podcast, our team will give a quick recap of the news room’s favorite stories that week. All stories...

Uni News

Uni News

Lianna Norman, Editor-in-Chief November 1, 2019

Welcome to Uni News, Spinnaker’s rundown of the top stories of the week – every Friday. On this podcast, our team will give a quick recap of the news room’s favorite stories that week. All stories...

Uni News

Uni News

Lianna Norman, Editor-in-Chief October 25, 2019

Welcome to Uni News, Spinnaker’s rundown of the top stories of the week – every Friday at 3 p.m. On this podcast, our team will give a quick recap of the news room’s favorite stories that week. All...

Uni News

Uni News

Lianna Norman, Editor-in-Chief October 18, 2019

Welcome to Uni News, Spinnaker’s rundown of the top stories of the week – every Friday at 3 p.m. On this podcast, our team will give a quick recap of the news room’s favorite stories that week. All...

Uni News

Uni News

Lianna Norman, Editor-in-Chief October 11, 2019

Welcome to Uni News, Spinnaker’s rundown of the top stories of the week – every Friday at 3 p.m. On this podcast, our team will give a quick recap of the news room’s favorite stories that week. All...

Uni News

Uni News

Lianna Norman, Editor-in-Chief October 4, 2019

Welcome to Uni News, Spinnaker’s rundown of the top stories of the week – every Friday at 3 p.m. On this podcast, our team will give a quick recap of the news room’s favorite stories that week. All...

UPD training on campus

UPD training on campus

Lianna Norman, Editor-in-Chief October 1, 2019

According to an alert released by the University Police Department, Run, Hide, Fight training will be taking place on campus on Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. "This is a practical exercise; if you see people running...

Uni News

Uni News

Lianna Norman, Editor-in-Chief September 27, 2019

Welcome to Uni News, Spinnaker’s rundown of the top stories of the week – every Friday at 3 p.m. On this podcast, our team will give a quick recap of the news room’s favorite stories that week. All...

Mark Tumeo. Photo courtesy of UNF.

UNF wins against former Dean Mark Tumeo in lawsuit

Lianna Norman, Editor-in-Chief September 26, 2019

**This story was updated at 2:26 p.m. on Sept. 27** On Thursday, Sept. 26,  it was ruled by a Duval County judge that former UNF Dean Mark Tumeo will not be allowed to return to UNF.  On Oct. 2,...

UNF Wellness Center hosts a mental health first aid training

UNF Wellness Center hosts a mental health first aid training

Lianna Norman, Editor in chief September 26, 2019

First aid isn't just for cardiac arrest. The UNF Recreation and Wellness center is hosting a first aid training for mental health. The training is free to attend. The event will be hosted in Founders...

Uni News

Uni News

Lianna Norman, Editor in chief September 20, 2019

Welcome to Uni News, Spinnaker’s rundown of the top stories of the week – every Friday at 3 p.m. On this podcast, our team will give a quick recap of the news room’s favorite stories that week. All...

A graphic of a person throwing trash into a waste bin.

Recycling at The Flats was gone for a year. Now it’s back.

Lianna Norman, Editor-in-Chief September 19, 2019

UNF Housing has an entire web page with tips for students on how to practice sustainability while living on campus. “We provide recycling bins in each residential space in all seven housing areas,”...

Photo of a yoga class

Student Wellness Complex hosts a “Playground” event

Lianna Norman, Editor in chief September 16, 2019

We've all done the thing where we say we're going to try one of the many fitness classes at the gym and we chicken out at the last second to revert to our regular workout, or just skip altogether. Thankfully,...

Uni News

Uni News

Lianna Norman, Editor in Chief September 6, 2019

Welcome to Uni News, Spinnaker’s new rundown of the top stories of the week – every Friday at 3 p.m. On this new podcast, our editors will give a quick recap of the top story from their department...

Text that says "Tracking Dorian" over an arial picture of a hurricane

Tracking Dorian: Storm moves slowly past Florida’s East Coast

Lianna Norman, Editor in Chief September 4, 2019

After spending several days over the Bahamas, Dorian is now moving up the Northeast Coast of Florida at a slow nine miles per hour. The Category 2 storm remains about 115 miles away from the coast of...

Uni News

Uni News

Lianna Norman, Editor in Chief August 30, 2019

Welcome to Uni News, Spinnaker's new rundown of the top stories of the week - every Friday at 3 p.m. On this new podcast, our editors will give a quick recap of the top story from their department that...

Text that says "Tracking Dorian" over an arial picture of a hurricane

Tracking Dorian: Storm upgrades to a hurricane

Lianna Norman, Editor in Chief August 28, 2019

According to the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Dorian has upgraded to a category 1 hurricane. Wind from the storm is projected to arrive on the coast of Jacksonville Saturday evening, with...

Text that says "Tracking Dorian" over an arial picture of a hurricane

Tracking Dorian: UNF crisis management sends out alert

Lianna Norman, Editor in Chief August 28, 2019

On Wednesday morning, the UNF Crisis Management Team sent out an update on their preparation as now-Tropical Storm Dorian is anticipated to near the coast of Jacksonville on Sunday morning. According to...

Uni News

Uni News

Lianna Norman, Editor in Chief August 23, 2019

Welcome to Uni News, Spinnaker's new rundown of the top stories of the week - every Friday at 3 p.m. On this new podcast, our editors will give a quick recap of the top story from their department that...

Picture of the road

Tips for commuting students

Lianna Norman, Editor in Chief July 1, 2019

There are plenty of guides with tips and tricks on how to survive your freshman year in college. However, most of these lists directly apply to students who live on campus during their first year of college...

Anthony Stagnitta mugshot. Courtesy of Bradford County Sheriff's Office.

Anthony Stagnitta pleads guilty to collection and distribution of child pornography

Lianna Norman, Editor-in-Chief May 17, 2019

A little over a year after being arrested for collecting and distributing child pornography, former UNF student Anthony Stagnitta pled guilty. According to a release from the Department of Justice,...

Photo by Michael Herrera

Summer begins at the Ogier Gardens

Lianna Norman, Editor-in-Chief May 8, 2019

The Ogier Gardens provide activities frequently that have to do with sustainable gardening habits. Often, these events pop up weekly. They include potlucks, tea time, organic gardening classes and composting...

Courtesy of fscjartistseries.org

A slice of the Big Apple is coming to Duval

Lianna Norman, Editor-in-Chief May 7, 2019

The Times Union Center frequently hosts traveling Broadway shows, but there are rumors about a particularly exciting year ahead for Broadway in Jacksonville. According to the Broadway Across America...

courtesy of USA Today

Burger King’s new plant-based burger has a secret ingredient

Lianna Norman, Editor-in-Chief May 6, 2019

On April 29, Burger King announced their intention to begin serving Impossible burgers at all of their locations nationwide by the end of the year. So, what's an Impossible burger? Impossible Foods is...

Screenshot courtesy of Lianna Norman

Another Boeing plane went down – on the St. Johns River

Lianna Norman, Editor-in-Chief May 4, 2019

On Friday, May 3, at around 9:40 p.m. a Miami Air flight fell from the Naval Air Station runway and into the St. Johns River. NAS JAX responded to the issue and later accounted for all of the 136 passengers...

Photo by Lianna Norman

UNF professor Michael Wiley has written a series of murder mysteries – set in Jacksonville

Lianna Norman, Editor-in-Chief May 3, 2019

If you've had Professor Michael Wiley for any classes, you may know his taste for thorough and engaging work. According to an article from April 29, written by Matt Soergel for the "Florida Times...

as

Intercession hours on campus

Lianna Norman, Editor in Chief April 29, 2019

Ah, intercession. For many, it's a much-needed vacation. For others, just another week. For the latter, your week may be difficult to plan around campus closures and reduced hours. Here are the hours...

UNF Board of Trustees approves 2019 accountability plan

UNF Board of Trustees approves 2019 accountability plan

Lianna Norman, News Editor April 25, 2019

With President David Szymanski has come a wave of changes to UNF culture, but one phrase has been constantly repeated too many times to count by both Szymanski and his administration over the last year:...

Uber Logo

Uber is rolling out new safety features

Lianna Norman, News Editor April 23, 2019

Uber is headed toward more secure safety regulations by rolling out some brand new features to their app. The biggest of these new features is one that is intended to help app users in not mistaking...

UNF Crisis Management warns students to stay safe in inclement weather

UNF Crisis Management warns students to stay safe in inclement weather

Lianna Norman, News Editor April 19, 2019

The university sent out an alert on April 19, warning students and faculty that the National Weather Service has issued several weather warnings for Duval County. A severe thunderstorm warning is in...

Phishing, not fishing

Lianna Norman, News Editor April 16, 2019

According to the university, UNF is experiencing issues with phishing scams. The matter does not involve lakes or rods though, just your email. On Tuesday, April 16, the university released an Osprey...

Stronger than Stigma: Downtown Jax participates in mental health awareness month

Stronger than Stigma: Downtown Jax participates in mental health awareness month

Lianna Norman, News Editor April 12, 2019

Stronger than Stigma is an organization in Jacksonville dedicated to eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health for local millennials and Gen Zs. The organization is holding a month-long event in...

Osprey Productions.

Out of this world: Osprey Productions themes this year’s OZ FEST

Lianna Norman, News Editor April 5, 2019

It’s concert time again at UNF. The annual performance sponsored by Osprey Productions is here. In the past, OZ FEST has featured performances from Palm Trees and Powerlines, Desiigner and Juicy J. This...

UNF responds to the recent Uber-related death of USC student

UNF responds to the recent Uber-related death of USC student

Lianna Norman, News Editor April 3, 2019

In response to the recent death of University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson, Senior Director of the Department of Diversity at UNF, Sheila Spivey, sent out a message on April 3 about safety...

How UNF prevents misuse of funding

How UNF prevents misuse of funding

Lianna Norman, News Editor March 20, 2019

University of Central Florida has been in the news for something other than their football fans recently. UCF was flagged by the Florida House Public Integrity and Ethics Committee when Director Don Rubottom...

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

UNF Pride Club hosts a clothing swap

Lianna Norman, News Editor March 15, 2019

If you have old clothes that you’re looking to toss, you don’t need to truck it all the way to GoodWill just yet. The UNF Pride Club is hosting a clothing swap. The drive will last through Thursday,...

Guests attending summer commencements on July 31 will park in the second, third and fourth floors of the Arena Garage. 
Photo by Robert Curtis

President Szymanski releases the results of a crisis management investigation

Lianna Norman, News Editor March 15, 2019

President David Szymanski promised a review of UNF's crisis management office after the incident in the Arena Garage last month, and he delivered. In an Osprey Update Friday morning, Szymanski announced...

UNF SDS at protest in D.C. Courtesy of Michela Martinazzi

UNF responds to a letter from the Students for a Democratic Society

Lianna Norman, News Editor March 7, 2019

The Students for a Democratic Society have been anything but quiet on UNF campus. Their latest rally immediately followed an unanswered letter sent to the office of President David Szymanski, regarding...

President David Szymanski.

Szymanski has yet to announce a nominee for the open Provost position

Lianna Norman, News Editor March 1, 2019

Today marked the last committee meeting in the search for the second in command to newly-inaugurated president Szymanski. UNF has been functioning without a permanent provost for quite a while now, and...

Osprey Update

President Szymanski announces plans to review the UNF alert system

Lianna Norman, News Editor February 27, 2019

An Osprey Update Wednesday morning carried news that President David Szymanski has mandated a full review of the University alert system's response to the incident involving a false report of a gunman...

Szymanski announces a $1 million donation to The School of Computing

Szymanski announces a $1 million donation to The School of Computing

Lianna Norman, News Editor February 23, 2019

There were only two standing ovations at the inauguration of new UNF President David Szymanski. The first was for the man of the hour himself, as people clapped upon the beginning of his speech. The second...

President David Szymanski.

Sitting down with David Szymanski before the Inauguration

Lianna Norman, News Editor February 22, 2019

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1dwAkeNuh8[/embedyt] President David Szymanski’s initiatives that he has placed throughout UNF campus have affected student life in many ways, some more direct...

Courtesy of Lianna Norman.

UNF hosts global health expert Rajiv Shah

Lianna Norman, News Editor February 16, 2019

What should one do when the President of the United States calls and tells them to “Make us proud?” Rajiv Shah listened to the room split with laughter as he described his first phone call from President...

President David Szymanski.

UNF requests $10.8 million to improve student success

Lianna Norman, News Editor February 12, 2019

Improvement in University metrics has been central to the goals of the new administration under soon-to-be inaugurated President Szymanski and on Jan. 31, this rang true when UNF requested $10.8 million...

Courtesy of LinkedIn

UNF student on trial for alleged murder

Lianna Norman, News Editor February 6, 2019

When Aunesty Summer Rayne was found on the floor of her boyfriend’s apartment in July of 2017, the police were dispatched to the scene to cover what seemed to be a suicide case. Now, a little under two...

UNF Dining Services presents: Caffeine passports?

UNF Dining Services presents: Caffeine passports?

Lianna Norman, News Editor January 28, 2019

UNF Dining Services has announced that during this week, they will be putting on a "coffee crawl" in which students will receive a free mug at the end, should they participate. During the week-long...

UNF Osprey Update sent out Friday morning.

Heating outage on campus

Lianna Norman, News Editor January 25, 2019

According a UNF Osprey Update sent Friday morning, the university is experiencing heating outages that are affecting the hot water in the buildings at the core of the campus. Housing buildings have...

Graphic by Lianna Norman

UNF alum Anna Brosche: Her campaign for Mayor of Jacksonville

Lianna Norman, News Editor January 23, 2019

As March 19 approaches, City Councilwoman and the newest candidate for Mayor of Jacksonville Anna Brosche is focused on tackling several large issues in her campaign against incumbent Lenny Curry. The...

Graphic by Lianna Norman

UNF alum files to run for Mayor of Jacksonville

Lianna Norman, News Editor January 11, 2019

Incumbent Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry will be facing stiff competition this coming Spring. Anna Brosche is a Jacksonville City Council member and Duval county native whose alma mater is none other than...

Graphic created by Lianna Norman

Twenty days and counting: How the government shutdown may begin to affect college students

Lianna Norman, News Editor January 10, 2019

Many Americans may still be going about their business as usual amidst the current government shutdown, but it has now been 20 days since Senate rejected the funding requested by President Donald Trump...

Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election.

How the third government shutdown this year could affect UNF

Lianna Norman, News Editor December 22, 2018

“If we don’t get what we want, one way or the other. Whether it’s through you, through the military, through anything we want to call, I will shut down the Government, and I am proud," President...

The death of scheduled programming: YouTube Culture

The death of scheduled programming: YouTube Culture

Lianna Norman, News Editor December 20, 2018

Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, YouTube. Your favorite entertainment sites all have one thing in common; they’re streaming platforms. This isn’t necessarily elusive information. But, what is a bit more elusive...

Astrophysics Professor Dr. Hewitt and Astrophysics Student set up the main telescope for attendees to view nearby planets and stars. Photo by Ashley Pace

A night under the stars with the Physics Department

Lianna Norman, News Editor December 13, 2018

This Friday at 8 p.m. the Department of Physics will be holding an astronomy night that will be open to the public. The event will consist of a thirty-minute lecture on the topic of viewing and will...

Graphic by Sam Chaney

Two birds, one stone: gobble gobble

Lianna Norman, News Editor November 18, 2018

Thanksgiving isn't necessarily a word tied to healthy habits, but this holiday season Winn-Dixie has decided to change that. According to their website, Winn-Dixie is now offering a free Thanksgiving...

Photo by Facebook.

What exactly is a recount?

Lianna Norman, News Editor November 14, 2018

Politics can be confusing, and with so much information coming from so many media platforms, it may be unclear as to what a recount of votes entails. Here are a few definitions to keep in mind as...

 Photo by Tristan Reyes

Parking reservations today

Lianna Norman, News Editor November 13, 2018

There will be several parking space reservations taking place on campus today, Nov. 13. These are important to note so that you may plan where to park for your classes accordingly. Twenty four blue lot...

 Graphic  by Rachelle Keller

Car accident near UNF

Lianna Norman, News Editor November 8, 2018

Although the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department has completely cleared the scene of a four-car pile-up on Beach Blvd. and Kernan as of about 3:15 p.m. today, there is still heavy traffic in that area. Students...

President of UNF’s ASIA club speaks on the Students for Fair Admissions vs. Harvard case

Lianna Norman, News Editor October 24, 2018

As decades have changed, so have policies on affirmative action. After noticing some of the demographics corresponding with certain affirmative action policies of one of the most elite Ivy League colleges...

Andrew Gillum answers questions from the press after the Town Hall Forum.

UNF hosts rally with Joe Biden, Andrew Gillum, and Bill Nelson

Lianna Norman, News Editor October 19, 2018

Former Vice President Joe Biden, current gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, Senator candidate Bill Nelson and Congressional candidate Nancy Soderberg will be speaking at UNF on Monday, Oct. 22. The...

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