The craziest things to happen at UF in 2016
Hurricanes and Dank Cakes
2016 has been a crazy year for UF. If it wasn’t enough for own student government to ignite controversy, the US government found a way to bring us to theirs. On top of political fires, real fires actually shook up our lives and took away a Gainesville treasure. UF added to the consumption of Gator traditions, but not without contributing something new for the generations to come. The balance of 2016 has been maintained by the extremes that made us smile and cry and soon it’ll all be over so it can start it again.
Here’s the craziest of UF in 2016.
February
The Reitz Union completed construction
#Notmysystem called out the corruption of the Greek system
Sabrina Phillip took a bold step last spring by calling out the corruption in Student Government.
March
Bernie Sanders came to campus
Remember when Bernie held a rally at UF with less than 48 hours notice?
April
We lost The JAM to an Apartment Complex
Gainesville citizens fought hard, but they couldn’t stop The JAM from being sold.
May
A recent study found UF’s campus is at a very high risk for lead exposure
This map shows UF is at a 9/10 risk for lead exposure and Sorority Row is at a 10/10 risk.
August
Steve Solomon sold the Leonardo’s by SW 13 street to UF
The Alligator reported that Solomon wanted reduce his commitments now that he’s older. The original Leonardo’s 706 will stay open and his deal with UF required that Leonardo’s By The Slice remain open at least until summer.
First The JAM and now Leonardo’s by the Slice might close by this summer. What’s next?
September
Hurricane Hermine
Hermine interrupted classes the week after drop/add.
A funnel Cake Stand popped out of nowhere in Mid and Downtown
Dank Cakes, the fried Oreo and funnel cake stand, opened at the beginning of the Fall semester.
Students expressed their gratitude from Grog and Social all the way to Saga.
October
Hurricane Matthew
Mathew came the month after Hurricane Hermine and lead to a state of emergency.
This postponed the LSU game to November, which the Tigers and their fans didn’t appreciate.
Obama plans to appoint President Fuchs for the National Science Board and National Science Foundation
President Fuchs has not officially received the position yet, but as a member of the NSB and NSF he’ll help decide how the government funds scientific research.
The US President and UF President might start working together
The nationwide clown epidemic reached UF
One of the first clown sighting photos.
Brave UF students returning to their dorm after hunting for clowns.
November
Trump protestors spoke out on Turlington
Students supporting Trump’s election came out and argued with them.
Trump protests ignited Turlington Plaza.
The NEB bomb threat was for a “me day”
The New Engineering Building was shut down until 3pm.
Swastikas on Delta Tau
The Jewish Fraternity Delta Tau Delta was vandalized with swastikas.
The brothers painted over the graffiti the very next day.
LSU ate their words when we beat them by literal inches
This began an incredible game of inches.
The Gators fought back to the bloody end.
Then FSU brought us some leftover humble pie for Thanksgiving weekend
They shared some leftover humble pie with us.
UF Professor, Mark Jamison, became part of President Elect Donald Trump’s transition team after Thanksgiving Break
When your school is more consistent with politicians than it is with football.
December
Gunshots rang out at Simons night club
The security moved a fight outside, then he pulled out a gun and released five shots.
Satchels burned down as the semester closed, bringing new meaning to surviving finals week
The scene was tragic but thankfully the main store was not burned.
Whatever happens next year at least we never have to use Sakai again.