Not Just a Cliché

By Sophie Perez

Most people who have studied abroad will say something along the lines of “Studying abroad is one of the most enriching life experiences you can ever have as a college student.” Such comments may, at times, seem like the lyrics to a broken record, but the truth is that these words never portray the intended deeper meaning. Studying abroad is much more than that “great experience” you hear about.

I left to study abroad for my spring semester in Madrid with the Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida. At first, I was infatuated with the idealized experience that so many administrators so zealously encourage students to take advantage of.

Student Government Elections: February 23rd and 24th

By Caitlin Sileo

The spring elections for student government will be taking place Tuesday February 23rd and Wednesday February 24th and it is an opportunity for students to have their voice heard and select their representatives in Student Government for the coming months. While making your way through the hustle of a busy week, you will be urged many times to make your way to the polls and this year there are a number of issues at stake.

This semester, the two majority parties, the Unite Party and Student Alliance, have spent the past few weeks advocating their platforms and campaigning for their various candidates. One particularly heated point of discussion is the renovation and expansion of the Reitz Union and how this project will potentially be funded. The campaign known as “Renew your Reitz” has been actively promoted across campus recently and the referendums associated with this campaign are one of the major issues on the ballot this semester.

There are also the usual issues at hand, as Student Government controls the usage and spending of many millions of dollars and various college specific senators will advocate for the rights and advancement of many elements of life here at UF. To learn more about the students and parties running for the right to represent the Warrington college of Business, read our election coverage on both parties in the following entries.    

Spotlight on Student Alliance and their candidates

A party new to the scene this semester is the Student Alliance. Among their most strongly touted platforms is to bring online voting to the UF campus, eliminate perks for executives in SG and a strong commitment against student fees to pay for the remodeling of the Reitz Union. Their entire platform can be accessed at their website, UFstudentalliance.com, where there are seventy different issues and ideas to improve the lives of students here at UF.

The executive ticket for the Student Alliance is comprised of Ben Cavatoro for Student Body President, Sugar Sane for Vice President, and Rafael Yaniz for Treasurer. As a ticket they bring a variety of different elements to their campaign, each with previous student government experience. Ben Cavatoro first served in UF’s senate in the fall of 2007 and has been dedicated to the improvement of Student Government’s organization during the entirety of his time serving the school. Sugar Sane is a graduate student with a great deal of experience from his time at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he founded the Student Government Speaker Series, similar to the ACCENT program here at UF. Candidate for Treasurer Rafael Yaniz has recently served as the External Chief of Staff to the Student Body President, and has been involved with a great number of other campus organizations. Much more information about these candidates and their views can be found at the Student Alliance website.

Unite Party and their Business School Candidates

The Unite party was founded one year ago with the hope to unite all of the students at UF and to make Student Government as great as it can possibly be. Party spokesman Ben Meyers said in an interview earlier this week that “A year ago, we came bearing a positive message and one year later we have proven ourselves with legitimate positive results”. The Unite party hopes to continue with these accomplishments and extend its reign as the majority party within Student Government.

This year, the executive ticket for the Unite Party features Student Body President Candidate Ashton Charles, Vice-Presidential Candidate Marcus Dixon, and Virlany Taboada as the candidate for treasurer. The candidates on this ticket have been greatly committed to the student body at the University of Florida. Ashton Charles is currently serving as the President of Student Senate and has been involved with student senate for the past two years. Marcus Dixon has extensive experience within the student government cabinet system, currently serving as the Cabinet Chairman and previously as Cabinet Director for Community and Government. Virlany Taboada is the current Budget Chairwoman of the Student Senate and has had much experience with Student Government finances and their processes.

CEI Ambassadors bring TED event to UF

By Emily Morrow

The Gator Nation showcased its innovative ideas at the first TEDx event at the University of Florida.

The event, hosted by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ambassadors, took place in Pugh Hall on Feb. 6. It drew a crowd of about 100 who pre-registered for the space-limited event.

TED is a nonprofit organization that brings together professionals from the fields of technology, entertainment and design to talk about their “ideas worth spreading,” according to the Web site. The “x” stands for an independently organized event.

The Synergy of Networking

By Wade Senti

‘Opening yourself up’ and developing a vast network can prove to be worthwhile when looking to advance professionally or even land that ‘dream’ opportunity.

Networking requires time, perseverance, persistence, and effort; it is not easy, but essential for building connections and opportunities. It is ignorant to say otherwise.

Phi Beta Lambda Activity Day

By Mike Xiao

If you are always looking for some downtime between midterm exams, Phi Beta Lambda might have the answer. The business fraternity hosts a theme park activity day every semester for both members and friends in need of some serious stress relief. This semester’s spring Phi Beta Lambda Activity Day will be held on Saturday, Feb. 27 at Universal Orlando. Students attending paid $44 along with some gas money for a ticket and ride to either Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure. Transportation is provided, but students are allowed to drive themselves and their friends. Registration is closed, but anyone interested in joining the fraternity is encouraged to attend Activity Day next semester.