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UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

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UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

Mindy has black hair, bangs, and is smiling for a photo, wearing a black shirt.

Mindy McLarty, Managing Editor

Mindy McLarty studies English at the University of North Florida and serves as Spinnaker’s managing editor. Mindy started working with Spinnaker as its government reporter in the fall of 2024. With a love for reading and the tendency to over-obsess, she hopes to work in book publishing and editing someday. When she’s not working, you can find her at a concert or the nearest bookstore.

All content by Mindy McLarty
A white UNF logo on a dark blue column at the student union.

UNF President updates campus on ICE agreement status, gives guidance to international students, staff

Mindy McLarty, Managing Editor | May 30, 2025

University of North Florida President Moez Limayem reaffirmed in a campus-wide email on May 23 that the university has no active contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and that there has...

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The Florida Board of Governors oversees all of the state's 12 public universities, including the University of North Florida. (Logo courtesy of the Florida BOG)

Florida Board of Governors calls for safety assessments across all public universities following FSU shooting

Mindy McLarty, Managing Editor | May 24, 2025

In the wake of last month’s shooting at Florida State University, the state’s Board of Governors has directed all public university presidents to assess campus building security and lockdown capabilities...

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A sign with large, dark blue letters spells "UNF" on a concrete stand in the grassy area next to a sidewalk. The sky is bright blue with some small white clouds and there are lots of trees in the background.

Campus-wide phone outage on Friday, various lines affected

Mindy McLarty, Managing Editor | May 9, 2025

The University of North Florida’s Information Technology Services (ITS) is investigating a campus-wide phone outage affecting various phone lines, according to a university-wide email sent at 9:44 a.m....

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a public event at a podium that reads "The Free State of Florida" on the front.

Uncertainty looms among university community as UNF sends in last of Florida DOGE information

Mindy McLarty, Managing Editor | May 8, 2025

Uncertainty is growing among faculty, staff and students as Florida’s DOGE begins its evaluation of programs and operations at schools across the state. At UNF, faculty and staff are cautious when...

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A sign with large, dark blue letters spells "UNF" on a concrete stand in the grassy area next to a sidewalk. The sky is bright blue with some small white clouds and there are lots of trees in the background.

President Limayem makes statement on ICE agreement, says police duties remain unchanged

Mindy McLarty, Managing Editor | Apr 22, 2025

The University of North Florida made its first statement regarding the pending agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in a university-wide email sent Tuesday afternoon from UNF President...

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University of North Florida sign

UNF signs agreement with ICE allowing police to enforce immigration laws on campus

Mindy McLarty, Managing Editor | Apr 17, 2025

The University of North Florida has signed a pending agreement with ICE that would allow qualified officers to perform certain functions of an immigration officer, according to a memorandum of agreement...

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Student Body President-elect Amelia Dyal (left) and Student Body Vice President-elect Vevvy Summerall (right). Photo courtesy of the Talon Party.

Meet your new student body leaders: Dyal and Summerall share plans for the upcoming year

Mindy McLarty, Managing Editor | Apr 16, 2025

Amelia Dyal and Vevvy Summerall won last month's Student Government election for student body president and vice president. As they begin their term, they look ahead to their plans as student body leaders. Dyal...

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Amelia Dyal (right) and Vevvy Summerall (left) during their swearing-in ceremony.

Dyal-Summerall sworn in during final Senate meeting of the spring semester

Osaremen Uwaifo and Mindy McLarty | Apr 15, 2025

Amelia Dyal and Vevvy Summerall were officially sworn in as Student Government student body president and vice president during Friday’s SG Senate meeting, marking the start of their administration. The...

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A wide-angle view of the inside of the student government Senate chambers showing blue carpet, multiple rolling chairs at long desks with brown walls.

SG committees confirm new associate justice, travel requests, introduce Earth Day joint resolution

Mindy McLarty, Managing Editor | Apr 6, 2025

The University of North Florida Student Government committees approved multiple travel requests and voted on the appointment of a new deputy supervisor of elections on Friday, April 4. The committees also...

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UNF Student Government Senate Chambers

SG Senate validates election results, approves new Food for Fines bill

Mindy McLarty, Managing Editor | Mar 30, 2025

The University of North Florida Student Government Senate validated the spring 2025 election results at Friday’s Senate meeting and approved a new piece of legislation. The joint resolution will allow...

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Amelia Dyal (left) and Vevvy Summerall (right). Photo courtesy of the Talon Party.

Talon Party’s Amelia Dyal, Vevvy Summerall unofficial winners of SG presidential election

Mindy McLarty, Managing Editor | Mar 12, 2025

Talon Party’s Amelia Dyal and Vevvy Summerall have won student body president and vice president, according to the unofficial election results from the UNF SG Office of Elections. Dyal and Summerall...

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Horatio Gilman (left) and Will Raffier (right). Photo courtesy of the SAM Party.

CANDIDATE PROFILE: SAM Party’s Horatio Gilman and Will Raffier

Mindy McLarty, Managing Editor | Mar 10, 2025

Horatio Gilman and Will Raffier are running for student body president and vice president under the SAM Party in the Student Government Spring 2025 election. Both Gilman and Raffier are current members...

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Amelia Dyal (left) and Vevvy Summerall (right). Photo courtesy of the Talon Party.

CANDIDATE PROFILE: Talon Party’s Amelia Dyal and Vevvy Summerall

Mindy McLarty, Managing Editor | Mar 10, 2025

Amelia Dyal and Vevvy Summerall are running for student body president and vice president under the Talon Party in the Student Government Spring 2025 election. Dyal currently serves as Senate Pro-Tempore...

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Anthony Balsamo (left) and Tommy Mazzella (right). Courtesy of the Soar Party.

CANDIDATE PROFILE: Soar Party’s Anthony Balsamo and Tommy Mazzella

Mindy McLarty, Managing Editor | Mar 10, 2025

Anthony Balsamo and Tommy Mazzella are running for student body president and vice president under the Soar Party in the Student Government Spring 2025 election. Balsamo served as SG Attorney General...

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UNF Presidential Election graphic.

How to vote in this week’s SG elections

Mindy McLarty, Managing Editor | Mar 10, 2025

The University of North Florida Student Government will hold presidential and senatorial elections on March 11 and 12. Students can vote in person or online.  Voting will occur on campus from 9:00...

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Presidential Debate graphic featuring Amelia Dyal and Vevvy Summerall (Talon Party), Anthony Balsamo and Tommy Mazzella (Soar Party), and Horatio Gilman and Will Raffier (SAM Party).

SG presidential debate provides a first look at candidates’ initiatives

Mindy McLarty, Managing Editor | Mar 6, 2025

The University of North Florida Student Government held a debate for the 2025 presidential candidates on Feb. 27, where Amelia Dyal (Talon Party), Anthony Balsamo (Soar Party) and Horatio Gilman (SAM...

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UNF Student Government Senate Chambers

UNF SG to host presidential debate on Thursday

Mindy McLarty, Managing Editor | Feb 25, 2025

This story was edited at Feb. 26, 2025 at 10:40 a.m. to include the additional students running for Student Body President and Vice President. The University of North Florida Student Government...

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Representatives from BSU and Pride Club, including Pride Club President Aster Walters (back right), pose for a picture with UNF Student Body President Michael Barcal and Student Body Vice President Ashlyn Davidson. (Courtesy of UNF SG)

A talk with BSU, Pride Club presidents on new SG commission status

Mindy McLarty, Managing Editor | Feb 16, 2025

The University of North Florida Student Government Senate unanimously passed legislation allowing the Black Student Union and Pride Club to join SG as official commissions at the Jan. 31 student Senate...

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UNF spends $320,000 on OzFest performers Lil Yachty and Wale

Mindy McLarty and Alekzander Jenkins | Feb 12, 2025

OzFest, the University of North Florida’s annual homecoming concert, was held on Feb. 1st, with contracts from headliners Lil Yachty and Wale showing the university paid them $320,000 for their performances. According...

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A wide-angle view of the inside of the student government Senate chambers showing blue carpet, multiple rolling chairs at long desks with brown walls.

SG releases 2025-2026 Activity and Service fee budget

Mindy McLarty, Managing Editor | Feb 11, 2025

The Budget and Allocations Committee unanimously passed the Activity and Service Fee Budget bill at the University of North Florida Student Government meeting on Feb. 7. Student Body Treasurer Benjamin...

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Barcal and Davidson presenting the Executive Commissions Statute during the SG Senate meeting.

SG passes Executive Commissions Statute: BSU and Pride Club get new homes

Mindy McLarty, Government Reporter | Feb 3, 2025

The University of North Florida Student Government Senate unanimously passed the Executive Commissions Statute at the Student Senate meeting on Jan. 31.  The bill allows Black Student Union and Pride...

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UNF Board of Governors meeting tables in the John A. Delaney Student Union on Jan. 30, 2025.

Florida Board of Governors meet at UNF: LIVE UPDATES

Madelyn Schneider and Mindy McLarty | Jan 30, 2025

This page will be updated live starting Jan. 30 at 8:30 a.m. The Florida Board of Governors will meet at the University of North Florida on Thursday, Jan. 30, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The meeting will...

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NCAA settlement allocation from Jared Tidemann's presentation

[Photo] BOG members discuss advantages and disadvantages of NCAA settlement

Mindy McLarty, Government Reporter | Jan 30, 2025

NCAA settlement allocation from Jared Tidemann's presentation

UNF Student Government Senate Chambers

Student Government budget hearing schedule announced

Mindy McLarty, Government Reporter | Jan 30, 2025

The University of North Florida Student Government will conduct budget hearings this Friday, Jan. 31, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Senate Chambers. See below the presentation schedule for budget hearings...

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University of North Florida Student Government Senate Chambers.

Jan. 24 SG Committee meetings recap: Committees unanimously pass Executive Commission Statute

Mindy McLarty, Government Reporter | Jan 29, 2025

Student Government’s committees met on Jan. 24 to vote on The Executive Commission Statute, approve new travel and special requests and decide on the January and February Osprey Voice survey topics.  The...

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A computer-generated image of the new Honors dorms at UNF on Osprey Ridge Road. (Courtesy of UNF)

New Honors dorms to open Fall 2025, dean explains big idea

Mindy McLarty and Savanna Stillwagner | Jan 27, 2025

The University of North Florida Hicks Honors College is set to finish construction on the new Honors dorms to be ready to house students by this coming fall. The new UNF Honors dorm broke ground about...

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A wide-angle view of the inside of the student government Senate chambers showing blue carpet, multiple rolling chairs at long desks with brown walls.

Built to last: Barcal-Davidson on the creation and future of SG commissions

Mindy McLarty, Government Reporter | Jan 22, 2025

At the latest Senate meeting, the University of North Florida Student Body President and Vice President presented a bill that, if passed, would allow the Black Student Union and Pride Club to join Student...

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University of North Florida sign

UNF cancels classes and events Wednesday ahead of winter storm

Mindy McLarty, Government Reporter | Jan 21, 2025

The University of North Florida sent a university-wide email informing students staff and faculty Tuesday afternoon that all classes and activities on Wednesday, Jan. 22, are canceled in anticipation of...

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The UNF Student Government Senate Chambers.

SG finds a home for DEI organizations under its roof

Mindy McLarty, Government Reporter | Jan 13, 2025

During the University of North Florida Student Government Senate meeting on Jan. 10, Student Body President Michael Barcal and Student Body Vice President Ashlyn Davidson introduced a bill that would give...

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A screenshot of Student Life's OzFest 2025 Instagram announcement. The text reads "Save the date OzFestival Feb. 1 2025"

OzFest 2025: Info for students ahead of artist announcement

Mindy McLarty, Government Reporter | Jan 6, 2025

 UNF Student Life announced in an Instagram post that its annual OzFest will take place on Saturday, Feb. 1 in Lot 18. The event will be from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will include carnival rides, food trucks,...

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New senators are sworn in by Associate Justice Francis Felix Javier with Senate Pro-Tempore Amelia Dyal and Senate President Audrey McGrath alongside them.

Nov. 22 SG Senate meeting recap – tense Title VI changes, new senators sworn in, other updates

Mindy McLarty, Government Reporter | Dec 4, 2024

At the last University of North Florida Student Government Senate meeting of the fall semester, the executive branch and legislative branch gave reports, and the Senate voted on proposed Title VI changes. Executive...

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(Courtesy of UNF SG)

Nov. 15 SG Committee meetings recap – proposed Title VI changes, special requests, travel requests

Mindy McLarty, Government Reporter | Nov 18, 2024

During the Nov. 15 University of North Florida Student Government Committee meetings, the Rules and Oversight Committee discussed proposed changes to Title VI, The Election Code. The Budget and Allocations...

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This combination of file photos shows Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, left, speaking at a campaign rally in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 12, 2024, 2024, and Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaking a town hall campaign event in Warren, Mich., on Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo)

2024 Presidential Election: Live electoral map

Presidential Election 2024 - Spinnaker live map by Spinnaker Newsroom. Updates by Madelyn Schneider. __ *Updates to the interactive graphic reflect electoral vote counts as of Nov. 10 at 3:22...

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A sticker that reads "I Voted in Duval County."

2024 Election: Key North Florida races, live updates

Candidate Guides U.S. Senate: Florida In the U.S. Senate race, Republican and incumbent Sen. Rick Scott faces Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell in a statewide election.  Rick Scott (R) Scott is a former...

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Lenny Carrillo from the Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office sets up voting booths at the Meadow Woods Community Center in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. Early voting begins in Orange County on Monday and runs through November 3. There will be 22 locations across the county for early voting, open from 8am to 8pm daily. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP)

A Florida voter’s guide to the amendments on the ballot

There are six amendments on Florida ballots this election that, if approved, will make changes to state law on issues ranging from marijuana use to abortion access.  For enactment, each amendment needs...

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Swoop Troupe Director Anvar Gashimov and Treasurer Gianna Patrick presenting during the senate meeting.

Oct. 18 SG Senate meeting recap – senator removals, Swoop Troupe funding, Chief Justice on leave

Mindy McLarty, Government Reporter | Oct 23, 2024

At the Oct. 18 UNF Student Government Senate meeting, four senators have been removed from the Senate following their absences at appeal hearings, Swoop Troupe was granted funding in a unanimous vote and...

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Trustees sit at around the table for their quarterly meeting at UNF Mednexus on Sept. 30, 2024.

BOT approves freedom of expression amendments, grants Limayem $100,000 bonus and raise

The University of North Florida Board of Trustees passed an amendment last month to a university regulation that changes the way people can demonstrate and protest on campus. The passing of this amendment...

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Josh Carter/Unsplash

What students need to know about fall SG elections

Mindy McLarty, Government Reporter | Oct 14, 2024

Student Government elections will be open next week for students to vote online or in person at the Student Union Plaza.  The Fall 2024 University of North Florida Student Government elections will...

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Hurricane Milton upgraded to major hurricane - live updates

Hurricane Milton upgraded to major hurricane – live updates

Hurricane Milton has been upgraded to a major Category Four hurricane, according to a  National Hurricane Center 8 a.m. update. The University of North Florida sent out alert yesterday, saying...

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The Student Senate Seal

Photo by Spinnaker Media

Oct. 4 SG committee meetings recap– travel and special requests, students call for better on-campus parking

Mindy McLarty, Government Reporter | Oct 5, 2024

The Student Government’s Budget and Allocations and University and Student Affairs Committees met on Friday, Oct. 4, to approve a travel and special request and review September’s Osprey Voice survey.  The...

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The Student Government Senate's seal on the wall of the Senate Chambers on the third floor of the University of North Florida's Student Union.

SG Senate meeting schedule update

Mindy McLarty, Government Reporter | Oct 1, 2024

[This article was updated on Oct. 2, 2024, to reflect the cancellation of the Rules and Oversight Committee's meeting. Spinnaker was notified of the cancellation after this article was originally published.] The...

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Treasurer Benjamin Smith and Attorney General Anthony Balsamo attended the  USA committee meeting.

Sept. 20 SG Committee meetings recap–Senator absences, travel request, Helene postpones next meeting

Mindy McLarty, Government Reporter | Sep 26, 2024

Student Government’s committees met on Sept. 20 to approve a new travel request and announce possible senator reappointments and the September Osprey Voice survey.  Budget and Allocations Committee...

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B&A Committee alters and passes Title VIII amendments

B&A Committee alters and passes Title VIII amendments

[A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the amendments to Title VIII would be sent to the university president, Moez Limayem, for final approval after a potential approving vote from...

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