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Campus attractions at the university of florida.

By Florence Beth Snyder

The University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville is a preeminent research institution, but visitors can be forgiven for thinking they’ve stumbled onto a soundstage for one of those 1930s college musicals.

With its Gothic Revival architecture and 20 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, UF’s 2,000 acres are a movie location scout’s ideal of what a university should look like. More than 50,000 students from more than 130 countries and all 50 states complete the picture of a campus straight out of central casting. Any day is a good day for a self-guided walking tour of the university’s Historic District . A good place to start is the 157-foot-tall Century Tower, a moving tribute to UF alumni and students who perished in the World Wars of the 20th century. One of only four carillon towers in Florida, Century Tower's 61 bells can sing a five-octave range. The carillon sits at the top of 194 steps and weighs an astounding 57,760 pounds. You can enjoy the Tower’s rendition of “Florida Chimes” on the quarter-hour from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and listen anytime on YouTube . The Plaza of the Americas is the focal point of the Roaring 20s-era landscape design by Frederick Law Olmsted’s sons, John Charles and Frederick Law Jr. It’s a great place to picnic and people-watch.

Just west of the Historic District is Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the 88,548-seat venue where UF’s football team plays its home games.

- Brad McClenny for VISIT FLORIDA

Just west of the Historic District is Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the 88,548-seat venue where UF’s football team plays its home games. UF’s national reputation as a football school dates back almost a century, and the stadium is practically a shrine for those who wear the orange-and-blue of the “Gator Nation” and T-shirts bearing pictures of Albert, the school’s alligator mascot. When the stadium is not occupied with practices and home games, visitors are welcome to jog around the concourse, run the steps, or just hang out in the stands and enjoy the Florida sunshine.  On your way in, check out the life-size bronze statues of Heisman Trophy winners Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel and Tim Tebow, as well as the Heavener Football Complex , which houses a museum highlighting Gator football history. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is nicknamed The Swamp, and not just because of UF’s alligator theme. The stadium’s bowled-in architecture is notable for steep stands that put spectators close to the field, and acoustics that amplify crowd noise to eardrum-shattering levels. None of this bothers rabid Florida alumni, whose seats on the west side are shaded by the press box. The visiting team’s supporters have no place to hide from a broiling game day sun. It all adds up to a notorious home-field advantage for UF fans; they have the statistics to back up their brag that "ONLY Gators get out alive." Tourists in search of more cerebral pursuits can always find interesting ways to pass the time at the UF Cultural Plaza, home of the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts , the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Harn Museum of Art . The Florida Museum has been, since 1891, the official curator and champion of the Sunshine State’s rich and diverse natural history. In recent years, it has evolved in to an internationally recognized institution committed to “Inspiring people to care about life on Earth.”

A pair of butterflies search for nectar in the Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville.

Highlights include the Butterfly Rainforest , a live-action exhibit filled with free-flying butterflies and birds from around the world, along with up-close-and-personal looks at turtles and fish amidst an appealing tropical landscape. If you dare to explore the darker side of nature, visit the Museum’s Bat Colony , home to 300,000 residents of the Bat House and Bat Barn. Every night is Halloween in that 15- to 20-minute window just after sunset and before total darkness, when temperatures are above 65 degrees, as they almost always are.  An observation area is provided, but bring your own plastic protective gear because you never know what might fall from the sky. The bats and butterflies are best appreciated in person, and once you meet them, you’ll want to see them again soon. Thanks to UF’s “ Critter Cams ,” you can, 24/7. The Harn Museum of Art collection includes thousands of pieces of African, Asian, modern and contemporary art, as well as photography with significant representations of Ancient American and oceanic art. The 40,000-plus square feet of exhibition space is surrounded by five peaceful garden spaces, and the Harn’s Camellia Court Cafe is a relaxing lunch spot for Museum-goers, or those stopping by the Phillips Center to buy tickets for an upcoming show. When the Gators wish to commune with real ‘gators, they head to Lake Alice, a small and beautiful body of water where alligators allow people to watch and be astounded ... from a distance. The Baughman Center at Lake Alice is a 96-seat miniature medieval cathedral built from Florida cypress, yellow pine and copper, featuring three shades of travertine marble flooring. Weddings, funerals and small musical performances bring guests to the pavilion, but most of the traffic comes from individuals who stop by to think and meditate in a serene and splendid setting.

When you go… University of Florida Gainesville, FL 32611 (352) 392-3261

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HHP Campus Visits

The College of Health and Human Performance offers group campus visits to prospective students and families on select Fridays during the fall and spring semesters. Each visit includes a brief welcome, followed by a walking tour of the Florida Gymnasium Building. These events are intended for prospective students interested in majoring in an academic undergraduate program in HHP.

Please note : Guests under the age of 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Guardians/chaperones are invited and expected to accompany and supervise minors in attendance. Learn more about visiting the UF campus and additional events at  https://admissions.ufl.edu/visit . 

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University of Florida Campus Visits: Share Your Tips & Recommendations

Did you recently visit University of Florida? Share your experience with the community! Post your review in the comments below.

Some ideas for what to share:

• When did you visit?
• Where did you stay? Would you recommend it?
• Where did you eat? Did you try any local specialties?
• How did you get there? What’s the best transportation mean to get to-from the campus?
• What was the campus vibe?
• What did you think of the dorms?
• What are some must-see things in or around campus?
• How were the school facilities?
• Did you like it more or less than you thought you would? Why?
• Did anything surprise you?

We’d love to hear any tips or recommendations you can share for people planning their UFlorida cvisit!

Before I answer some of the other questions, I think the most important thing to note on scheduling tours, is to remember that the colleges also have their own tours. These are interesting, in that you met and can talk with actual students in that college. While the general tour is better around discussions on admissions.

For example, if you’re interested in Engineering, put a priority on attending a College of Engineering tour. They also have virtual tours.

A couple of other examples:

College of Business:

College of Journalism and Communications:

I go to Gainesville for work. I stay at the Aloft which is ehhhh but easy to walk to campus. I once stayed at the AC …both are Marriotts…that approaches from the other side. The AC is nicer but a big parking fee so I didn’t stay a second time.

If you got into FSU too one can go see both. They’re just a few hours.

Edit - eating - I love Bolay. It’s in south Florida too.

It’s been 5 or 6 years since I did a tour, I’ve had a child at UF since 2014, and visit regularly.

Lots of decent places to stay in Gainesville. Just avoid home football weekends, like the plague (unless you’re going to the game!).

Lots of places in Gainesville, a foew of our favorites are Mi Apá Latin Café (Latin/Cuban) and Satchel’s Pizza.

The Krishna’s serve vegan lunch on campus (11am-1:30pm at Plaza of Americas). One of my daughter’s favorites while at UF. If your Kido is into this, you may want to give it a try. They have been on campus since the 70’s, and it’s something of a tradition.

Next time I’m in Gainesville, I want to try Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille, a bit pricy, but a must for die hard gators.

First lesson about UF. Parking is a pain. You may try to find parking in the Welcome Center garage, located at 737 Reitz Union Drive. If there are no available spots in the Welcome Center parking garage, overflow visitor parking may be found in Garage 5 located at 1108 Gale Lemerand Drive. It’s about a 10 to 15 minute walk from Garage 5 to the Welcome Center.

If you visit during the Fall/Spring term, campus will be very busy/active. To be honest, it feels like a “Florida” campus, like FSU or UCF. It’s like a bunch of kids on vacation, wearing backpacks full of books and laptops.

UF has been rebuilding it’s dorms, so the newer ones are more what folks expect now a days. However, both of my kids picked older dorms, and they liked it. Still, as a rule, most kids want to move off campus after that first year.

Duh…it’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The tours used to end in the stadium. It’s open during the day, so feel free to walk in. You can also check out the Heisman and National Title trophies. If you can catch a game (baseball/softball/volleyball, etc.) try to do so. The other stadiums are very nice and have just been rebuilt.

I really recommend the “college” tours to get a better view on the facilities. However, they are very nice. UF is constantly under construction ($$$).

I’m Alumni so it was what I was expecting, and of course I’m biased.

Not really, other than the campus feels much more crowded (all of the new construction) than when I attended in the 80’s. I was a bit surprised that it still felt the same, even 30 years later…

My DD and I are visiting for GEE Day, and I’m trying to figure out where is best to stay to get the full experience. She’s used to walking, and having a town around her. So I thought we’d stay close to the downtown area. Or is it better to stay somewhere else to get more of the student feel?

I don’t think it’s going to matter too much where you ultimately stay as a visitor. There are plenty of I-75 hotels and just a short drive to downtown. As a student there are plenty of dorms and apartments within walking distance of campus and classes but a lot of the hotels are older in the actual downtown section (although I’m sure they’ve been renovated). I’d suggest finding a nice hotel at a decent price and not worry too much about being “in the heart of G’ville” since G’ville has grown significantly over the years and now stretches in many directions.

On campus park somewhere near or at Reitz Union and go from there.

Go to Satchel’s pizza (so fun and all students) and hit Ember’s steak house (I never miss it!) for an upscale experience. You’ll probably want to drive around to different sections of G’ville anyway–Lake Wauberg, Devil’s Millhopper, the museums–it’s a large area to explore. As a student the campus is very bike and walker friendly. And there are student busses also.

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Faculty and students protest Florida law that they say could keep top Chinese talent out of their grad schools

A Florida law is prompting backlash from professors, students and advocates across university campuses in the state who say the measure could keep Chinese grad students out of their schools. 

The measure, State Bill 846, restricts the state’s public universities from hiring graduate students for positions such as researchers and lab assistants, from “countries of concern,” including China, the largest contributor of international students in the state. 

While the measure went into effect last July, schools typically issue offer letters in the spring, prompting the recent protests. 

While Gov. Ron DeSantis’ has said that the legislation is part of an attempt to counter China’s “malign influence” in the state, critics say it’ll do more harm than good. From taking legal action to participating in rallies this week, students, faculty and others are calling for the measure to be reversed, arguing that the law could pose a threat to the state’s academics and impede scientific advancements and freedoms. 

“It’s discriminatory,” Chenglong Li, a professor at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, told NBC News. “Individuals, they cannot decide where they are born. They’re only thinking of their educational opportunities. 

“I think this kind of approach actually harms national security. A lot of people are actually STEM talents. They actively come here to do research and contribute to this country,” he added.

The state Education Department declined to comment. And representatives for DeSantis did not respond to  a request for comment. But the governor announced the bill last May as part of his efforts to “combat corporate espionage and higher education subterfuge carried out by the CCP and its agents.” In addition to this education measure, he also signed a controversial law that, in part, banned some Chinese citizens from owning homes or land in the state. The land law, also implemented last July, was blocked by a U.S. appeals court in February. 

Zichen Wang, a research fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, a nongovernmental think tank in Beijing, called the university-related measure “unconstitutional,” comparing it to the Chinese Exclusion Act, which instituted a 10-year moratorium on Chinese labor immigration to the United States.

“It harms Florida as it stigmatizes individuals from China who would otherwise make significant contributions to the Sunshine State,” he said in an email. 

Under SB 846, state universities and colleges are prohibited from accepting grants or partnering with those “domiciled,” in China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela or Syria. The term “domicile,” criticized by many as being vague and confusing, is defined as a “physical presence in a foreign country of concern with an intent to return thereto.”  The law does not apply to student enrollment, so those who are self-funded would not be impacted. 

Exceptions to these restrictions, however, can be made with the approval from the state university Board of Governors, a 17-member organization that oversees the management of Florida’s public university institutions. And individuals in these cases need to be deemed “valuable” to students and the school, and declared not a threat “to the safety or security of the United States or its residents.” 

Two students, Zhipeng Yin and Zhen Guo, and a professor, Zhengfei Guan, filed a lawsuit  Monday, arguing that the measure codifies discrimination against those of Asian descent. The students, both of whom are from China and attend Florida International University, had been working as graduate assistants in labs for their supervising professors when they were terminated from their jobs because of the measure, according to the lawsuit. And the professor, an agricultural economist who teaches at the University of Florida, had been trying to hire a postdoctoral candidate from China. But because of a four-month delay related to SB 846, the candidate decided to go elsewhere. 

“Gov. DeSantis has argued that this law is necessary to protect Florida from the Chinese Communist Party and its activities,” said a press release on the lawsuit, backed in part by the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida. “But this misguided rationale unfairly equates Chinese students with the actions of their government, and there is no evidence of national security harm resulting from international students from China studying in Florida.”

Neither the University of Florida nor Florida International University responded to requests for comment. The state university Board of Governors declined to comment, saying it’s pending litigation. 

Other scholars and students attended a rally at the University of Florida hosted by more than two dozen organizations, including ACLU Florida, and led by the nonprofit Asian American Scholar Forum, to protest against the measure. Many said they hoped the law would be reversed eventually but are demanding transparency from the board of governors on their approval process in the meantime. 

Li, who was among those at the rally, said that many faculty members began dealing with the fallout from the law in December when assessing applications. His own department has been dealing with some of the similar struggles with hiring two Chinese applicants, as those named in the lawsuit. And the acceptance letters to the two students have yet to be sent out. He added that In his department, Chinese applicants, as well as those from Iran, make up roughly one-third of all applicants. 

“If this law persists, you can imagine, year after year, graduate talents from China or some ‘countries of concern’ will dry out,” Li said. 

Ming Fang, an associate teaching professor at FIU’s English department, who also attended the rally, said that similar frustrations plagued her university. 

“There appears to be some confusion among the faculty members about the specific procedure and criteria to follow,” she said. “For instance, the regulation excludes hiring individuals ‘domiciled’ in countries of concern but how do we define and interpret domicile? … How about applicants who are currently living in another country but originated from the countries of concern?”

Fang said that already, the faculty has been generally advised against considering candidates from those countries of concern because of the murkiness in the approval process. Additionally, Fang said that faculty members want to be mindful of applicants’ timelines.  

“It’s not just for fear of the legislation,” she said. “We don’t know how long the process will take and it’s not doing applicants a benefit. What if they have other choices that might be better for them?”

Ultimately, the legislation puts the faculty in a difficult position, placing the burden of national security in their hands, Li said. 

“These people who come here to study — it’s their personal choice. There’s nothing political here,” Li said.  “National security issues should be dealt with professionally by federal agencies.” 

Kimmy Yam is a reporter for NBC Asian America.

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UF graduate campus gets green light in Jacksonville

An effort to bring a University of Florida graduate campus to Downtown Jacksonville took a step forward Wednesday when the Florida Board of Governors approved the university’s plans to get things started.

The idea to bring a UF graduate campus has been in the works since February 2023 , when the university and the city of Jacksonville announced they were exploring options for the idea.

The plans approved Wednesday include UF’s opening a temporary campus in the new JEA headquarters on Pearl and Adams Streets in Downtown. The temporary site will be on the fifth floor of the building and will include a mix of offices, classrooms and study spaces.

UF plans to stay at JEA headquarters for up to five years while a permanent facility is built. Leaders from JEA and UF still have to approve and sign a contract before UF can move in, the utility said.

According to documents from the meeting, the university will initially offer nine master’s degrees from five colleges:

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• Management in artificial intelligence. 
• Artificial intelligence and analytics.
• Engineering management in data analytics.
• Computer science in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
• Artificial intelligence in biomedical and health sciences.
• Physician assistant studies.
• Genetic counseling.
• Legal studies.
• Architectural studies.

A master’s degree in health administration for executives was withdrawn during the meeting after discussions between the University of North Florida and UF determined it to be too similar to a degree UNF already offered.

University of Florida President Ben Sasse said the plan for the new campus is to have students move between the classroom and the real world as much as possible.

“We think the new world [of higher education] will have students going back and forth between practical experiences and classroom many times over the course of their life,” Sasse said.

Sasse also said UF plans to have tuition rates at market value to keep the UF Jacksonville campus self-sufficient. The university will do more research to come up with tuition rates so the Board of Governors can vote on them at a later date.

Mori Hosseini, chair of the UF board of trustees, said the university already has $250 million in financial commitments for the campus from various sources like state and local governments and philanthropic efforts. He said the school will need $50 million more for the campus and he is confident they will be able to raise that money.

Even though a new graduate campus is headed to Jacksonville, officials believe this will raise the profile of both the University of Florida and the University of North Florida. The two schools recently started a collaboration committee to find ways both can benefit.

Limayem said he believes the new UF campus in his university’s own backyard is a win for everyone .

“I cannot tell you how excited we are about this collaboration. My colleagues always hear me say “www,”, and that’s not World Wide Web; that’s a win win win. We want this to be a big win for our community in Northeast Florida but also for our state,” Limayem said.

The next major step in the process of bringing the graduate campus to Jacksonville will be UF’s decision to select a permanent location. Three options are on the table: near the Prime Osborn Convention Center, near the Downtown campus of Florida State College at Jacksonville, and at the fairgrounds near EverBank Stadium.

A decision on a permanent location is expected in the fall.

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Florida Semiconductor Institute could land in Jacksonville

Jacksonville is the front-runner to become the future home of the University of Florida's Florida Semiconductor Institute that Gov. Ron DeSantis calls the next step in building the state's growing semiconductor industry.

UF has not yet made a site selection but at a board of trustees meeting this month, board Chairman Mori Hosseini said putting the Florida Semiconductor Institute in Jacksonville would be in addition to the ongoing work toward building a UF graduate campus in the downtown area.

He said the the UF grad campus , which would apply advances in artificial intelligence across a variety of courses and research, still needs another $50 million to reach the $300 million mark to move forward with construction. Over the past year, the prospect of a UF campus in Jacksonville has locked up $250 million in funding — $150 million from the state, $50 million from the city of Jacksonville and $50 million from private donors.

Hosseini said UF will go back to the city and private donors for the final $50 million installment.

More state money: UF grad center in Jacksonville wins another $75 million from state Legislature

Sales tax option: Jacksonville can do a sales tax for health care. What else came out of the Legislature?

Budget hits: Lawmakers add projects to state budget. What made the cut for Jacksonville area?

"So far, it has been tremendous response from both the city and the community," Hosseini told fellow board members. "They came to the table."

He said community backing also will be a key factor in where UF decides to put the Florida Semiconductor Institute . At DeSantis's request, the Legislature agreed to put $45 million for the facility and $35 million for operations of it in next year's budget. UF will decide where to build the institute.

City spokesman Phillip Perry said Mayor Donna Deegan wants the graduate campus and the semiconductor institute to happen in Jacksonville.

"We’re honored UF has chosen Jacksonville for graduate program expansion," Perry said Tuesday. "Mayor Deegan believes they are a fantastic partner and that the city and private sector should do everything in our power and means to close this deal."

He said Deegan and Hosseini have had "extensive conversations" about the Florida Semiconductor Institute.

"It’s our understanding that the site selection will be a competitive process," Perry said. "We will bring forward our city’s strengths to compete for this facility."

Florida ranks fifth nationally in semiconductor workforce

Hosseini said he and UF President Ben Sasse favor putting the institute in Jacksonville. He said other communities in Florida have made their own pitches for the institute so UF needs to know it has Jacksonville's support.

"If not, our semiconductor business may go somewhere else," he told board when it met over two days on March 7-8. "We don't know that yet. We're looking at it, but both the president and myself, we think Jacksonville is the right place for the community and for our state and for the university."

The plan for the Florida Semiconductor Institute emerged in January when DeSantis said he was asking the Legislature to put $80 million for it in the 2024-25 budget.

Nearly half of semiconductor manufacturing employment nationally is in California, Texas, Oregon, and Arizona, according to an S&P Global report . DeSantis said Florida has the fifth-largest workforce in the United States for semiconductors, the components widely used in everyday items such as appliances, smart phones, digital cameras, air conditioners and LED bulbs.

In addition to consumer electronics, the next generation of the chips are being applied to space and defense technology, according to UF.

DeSantis said in January the Florida Semiconductor Institute would help the state build the workforce needed for the expansion of semiconductor manufacturing. "That'll not only be good for students," he said. "You're going to end up seeing businesses want to come and locate alongside that."

He said that institute wouldn't necessarily be built at UF's main campus in Gainesville. "They may choose to locate it somewhere else in the state under the UF banner — maybe someplace where there would be more businesses likely to start and expand, and that's fine," DeSantis said.

Hosseini did not say during the March board meeting whether UF is eyeing a specific site in Jacksonville.

While that selection remains to be made by the UF board for Jacksonville or elsewhere, the UF graduate center has been in the works since February 2023 when school officials joined then-mayor Lenny Curry at City Hall to announce they were exploring the idea.

Hosseini compared it to how Arizona State University's creation of a Phoenix campus helped energize its downtown, and the University of South Florida enhanced downtown Tampa with the USF Health campus. He said in both those cases, city leaders approached the universities and worked in partnership with them and that's what's happened in Jacksonville.

"We extended our hand as a partner and and we are absolutely looking to do a partnership anywhere we go," Hosseini said at the board meeting. "And so hopefully they'll also stand by their promise to see UF as something that absolutely will change the face of downtown Jacksonville."

Sasse: Gainesville is "mother ship" but Jacksonville extends UF impact

UF is targeting its search for a UF grad campus site to the downtown area and has considered three locations: the Prime Osborn Convention Center area, the area of Florida State College Jacksonville's downtown campus and Laura Street, and the current fairgrounds site in the sports complex.

Jaguars owner Shad Khan has a contract to buy the fairgounds site when the Greater Jacksonville Fair Association moves to a new location on the Westside . Khan has said he would donate the land for UF campus and he agreed to donate $5 million for the private-fundraising drive.

Until UF has built a campus, it will use space on the fifth floor of the JEA headquarters in downtown. The JEA building also will be where UF offers the first graduate-level classes starting in fall 2025.

Sasse, who was on his second day on the job as UF president when he joined Hosseini at Jacksonville City Hall for a February 7, 2023 announcement about the potential Jacksonville graduate center, told the UF board the Gainesville campus remains the "mother ship" for the UF system but Jacksonville presents an opportunity to engage students across the span of their careers.

"Jacksonville is important in its own right, but it's also very important as a doodle pad for lot of the broader experiments and reform that are needed in higher education in general and that the University of Florida is obviously a leader on," Sasse told the board.

He said the plan for Jacksonville has gotten "bigger and bolder" with expectations of more than 1,500 students at the campus by the fifth year. He said that pace of growth "is something that rarely happens in higher education."

"When we talk about what it means to be elite and practical, to be nimble and future focused, to expand research and improve student experiences, Jacksonville is a huge part of how we will write the future," Sasse said.

Hosseini said the selection of a site will be based on having enough acreage for even more future expansion.

"We're making this decision for the next 50 to 100 years," he said. "I expect in 20 years, we'll have 10,000 students because this is not pie in the sky."

AI would be big part of Jacksonville campus degree offerings

In Jacksonville, UF will start by offering 10 graduate degrees at the Jacksonville center the university's colleges of business, engineering, law, health sciences and design, construction and planning.

The overarching themes for the degrees will be artificial intelligence and machine learning, precision machine and smart manufacturing, data analytics and security, and the "application/translation of emerging innovations across fields," according to the presentation to the board.

Sasse said preparing students for the "AI revolution" is an important part of the university's mission at Gainesville and would be the same at Jacksonville.

"We're on the verge of a lot of things being made new and the disruption over time will be equal to and beyond the disruptions of the industrial revolution, which obviously remade higher education," Sasse said.

He said a master's degree in in using AI for biomedical and health sciences would be among the first of its kind in Florida and in the nation. He said students will help develop AI technology in the lab and then put it in place in clinical settings.

"If something works well in a clinical setting, great, let's expand it, let's scale it," he said. "And if it doesn't work, let's learn from it, redevelop it and go back into the lab and bring it back into a clinical environment on a tight time cycle."

Sasse also highlighted the physician assistant program UF wants to offer in Jacksonville. He said the Gainesville campus gets about 1,400 applications for 60 slots for physician assistant courses. He said Jacksonville would offer an opportunity to "open the spigot quite a bit beyond the 60 students we currently take."

He said the Jacksonville campus also will help UF take advantage of HiPerGator AI , a supercomputer on the Gainesville campus that is one of the most powerful in the world.

The presentation to the UF board showed graduate degrees in business for a professional MBA with artificial intelligence "analytics concentration" and a master of science in management with an AI concentration for deploying that technology in business processes.

Another degree would be a masters in architecture using an existing UF program in downtown Jacksonville

Two degrees would be in the field engineering: a masters in engineering management and data analytics and a masters in computer science.

The center would have a masters in study of law for non-lawyers who are "engaged in financial and tax compliance." UF plans to add more concentrations for that degree.

In the area of health sciences, there would be a masters in health administration for executives and a genetic counseling training program in addition to the physician assistant program and the masters in AI biomedical and health sciences.

The UF grad campus in Jacksonville will be tailored to working professionals but farther down the road, the permanent campus would have student housing. That would allow rotational programs where students take courses in both Gainesville and Jacksonville. Sasse said one possibility would be for engineering students to take fourth-year classes in Jacksonville while gaining experience at engineering firms.

UF will seek approval next week from the Florida Board of Governors for adding Jacksonville as a campus in the state university of system.

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University of florida to open new graduate campus in jacksonville, uf’s ‘florida semiconductor institute’ is coming to duval county.

Brianna Andrews , Reporter, weekend anchor

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida is opening a new graduate campus in Jacksonville dubbed the “ Florida Semiconductor Institute .”

The Florida Board of Governors approved the decision on Wednesday. UF will offer classes at a temporary site — the JEA headquarters — starting next fall until a permanent site is selected.

The graduate campus will offer courses in artificial intelligence and technology. Semiconductors, more commonly known as microchips, are an essential component in the fabrication of electronic devices, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association.

The total cost to build the brand-new campus is around $300 million. UF already has $250 million and needs $50 million more.

So far, the state legislature already earmarked $45 million for the facility and another $35 million for operations. Governor DeSantis committed to funding $80 million for the Florida Semiconductor Institute which would create more semiconductor jobs in the state.

Jacksonville native Alex Hamler doesn’t think it’s worth the investment.

“I mean it could bring in money but bringing in money is one thing but if you’re not using it for the right things then what good is that money,” Hamler said.

The new campus will be located on the top floor of the JEA building on Pearl Street. The location is temporary until a permanent campus is found in downtown Jacksonville.

The stadium and convention center are two possible locations on the table, but a final decision won’t be made until summer 2024.

UF will offer nine graduate degrees and enroll up to 1,000 students.

City Council President Ron Salem said this development will be a game changer for the city.

“I think it’s tremendous to have all those graduate students here,” Salem said. “I think what’s happening at UF Health and its graduate campus will be great for Jacksonville, you’ve got the law school as well downtown, I think it’s all great news for Jacksonville.”

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UF adopts Early Action for admissions starting Fall ‘24

The University of Florida will add Early Action to its admission process, by offering early admission decisions for prospective students, UF President Ben Sasse announced today.

By adopting the Early Action plan, potential first-year students who submit their applications by Nov. 1, 2024, and submit all required materials will be notified on Jan. 24, 2025, of their admissions status with UF. Unlike Early Decision, Early Action is non-binding for students.

“The University of Florida draws elite students, and this initiative is an important opportunity for our university and our students,” Sasse said. “Not only will it help UF attract the best minds, but it will also identify and reward students who are bold enough and determined enough to challenge themselves here in our rigorous academic environment.”

UF will implement Early Action in time for students aspiring to become first-time Gators during the fall 2025 semester. Prospective students can also apply by the regular admission deadline of Jan. 15, 2025, and submit all required materials by the materials deadline. They will be notified on March 14, 2025.

“Early Action will provide more certainty to selected students by notifying them of admission decisions earlier,” said Mary Parker, vice president for enrollment management at UF. “We appreciate how stressful it can be to plan for college. This plan will help reduce stress for aspiring Gators and their families; allowing more time to prepare for their time at UF – such as looking into housing and financial aid options.”

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Gators to get mississippi state dl commit back on campus, share this article.

Gadsen County (Havana, Florida) defensive lineman and Mississippi State commit Jeramiah McCloud was at the University of Florida on Thursday and has plans to return to Gainesville at least two more times before his senior season.

McCloud will be back on April 6 for another unofficial visit, but he says he’s locking in a date for an official visit during that trip, according to Swamp247.

The Bulldogs earned a commitment from McCloud back in January, but that’s not slowing down Florida defensive line coach Gerald Chatman. McCloud got some extended time around Chatman Thursday, and it’s clear that the relationship is growing stronger.

“Coach Chatman told me he was going to come after me, and he’s been doing that,” McCloud said. “He’s always telling me how I am going to be a Gator. Coach Napier said he liked a lot of the things I have added to my game. It’s good to know the head coach likes things about my game. He’s big on development and relationships.”

McCloud admitted that his commitment to Mississippi State is “shaky” right now, given the amount of attention he’s received. Official visits to Colorado , Georgia and LSU are all likely at this point.

Recruiting Summary

Rivals.com gives McCloud four-star status and ranks him as the 15th-best defensive lineman in the class of 2025, but both 247Sports and On3 have him down as a three-star talent.

The On3 industry ranking has him at No. 495 overall and No. 41 among defensive linemen, while the 247Sports composite puts him at Nos. 528 and 53, respectively.

Follow us  @GatorsWire  on Twitter and like our page on  Facebook  to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

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College tour season is about to kick off. Here are 10 tips from college tour guides to have a successful campus visit.

• As spring starts, colleges nationwide will welcome parents and students to tour their campuses. 
• College tour guides want people to arrive on time, ask the right questions, and have fun.
• They also recommend students take the tours on their own, without their parents.

Spring break is right around the corner, and for many high-school students and their parents, that means many will be hitting the road to tour colleges around the country.

To make the most of your visit, Business Insider spoke with college students and tour guides. They know the campuses like the backs of their hands, and they know how to walk backward.

Here are the dos and don'ts of college tours from student guides .

1. Get there with no time to spare, but don't be late.

You won't get points for arriving early, so try to arrive on time. But if you do happen to arrive late , there's no need to worry.

"If something comes up and you are late, ask your guide what you missed once the tour finishes," Skyler Kawecki-Muonio, a senior at Sarah Lawrence College in New York, told BI. "They will happily fill you in."

2. Dress to impress, but don't sacrifice comfort.

It's important to look nice, but you don't have to don a jacket and tie. Tour-goers should put their best foot forward with a sturdy pair of walking shoes , and don't forget to dress for the weather.

"At Fairleigh Dickinson, tours go out rain or shine, so make sure to wear clothes that will keep you warm," Emily Bone, a junior at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, said .

3. Don't forget to sign in, but skip the résumé .

Most schools have a check-in desk where you'll receive a campus map and other literature. But don't bother furnishing schools with your portfolio.

"Students can leave their résumés at home," Henry Millar, a senior at the College of William & Mary in Virginia, said. "Tour guides generally do not have any sway in the admissions process whatsoever, so feel free to save the paper."

4. Pay attention on the tour, but do it solo if possible.

Some schools offer to let parents and kids take separate tours, which has advantages.

"Get excited about your child's potential future in college, but give them some space to see what they think of that school on their own," Nathan Weisbrod, a junior at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, told BI.

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Students can comfortably ask questions without a parent present and compare notes afterward .

5. Ask all your questions, but avoid personal interrogations.

This is the time to inquire about any aspect of campus life , and don't feel shy about speaking up.

"Tour guides love getting questions because it allows us to cater the tour, especially in small groups, toward the needs and interests of the families on that specific tour," Halle Spataro, a senior at Bucknell University, said.

But some topics are off-limits, so don't ask your tour guide about their SAT scores , ACT scores , or what they wrote about in their essay .

6. Speak up, but let the student take the lead.

Parents may be tempted to raise their hands again and again, but this tour is about the student, so there should be space to let them shine.

"Try to take the back seat — or the passenger seat — but refrain from driving all of your child's interactions," Julian Jacklin, a junior at Reed College in Oregon, said. "Students who feel they can own that experience usually ask the most questions and engage with the tour more."

7. Say thanks, but don't leave with questions unanswered.

Maybe your guide didn't hear you, or your kid was reluctant to speak up. You can still get the information you want before leaving.

"There's a lot of information students are getting that day and a lot of excitement with being in a new place, which can make people forget to ask certain questions," Lorenzo Mars, a junior at Pepperdine University in California, said.

Therefore, get your tour guide's email address so that you can follow up .

8. You may know exactly what school is right but keep an open mind.

Don't be surprised if a city-living kid is suddenly intrigued by a small-town setting.

"The college search and college experience are all about getting to know yourself better and growing, so on a tour, students have to trust themselves and their judgment of the 'world' they've just stepped into," Thomas Elias, a senior at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, said .

9. Take in as much as possible, but remember to have fun.

Sure, preparing for the next four years can be scary and stressful. But it's also an exciting milestone, so enjoy the ride.

"These tours serve as great opportunities to learn more about colleges — along with their cities, culture, and people," Connor Gee, a sophomore at the University of Mississippi, said. "Have fun with it!"

10. Weigh the pros and cons of the school, but don't stop there.

Your tour may be over, but you can still learn other ways to immerse yourself in college life .

"See if the school offers additional experiences, like eating in the cafeteria or attending a class," Emily Balda, a senior at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, said. "Consider it 'food for thought.'"

Watch: What new Citadel military college "knobs" go through on day one at the controversial school

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Announcement: VCOBE Dean Finalist Campus Visits

March 25, 2024

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce that we have identified three finalists for the UTRGV Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship Dean position. We would like to extend an invitation for you to participate in the interview process of Dr. Marla Stafford, Dr. Qing Hu and Dr. Giorgio Gotti.

Each candidate will be presenting to the campus community during the following times. Zoom links will be provided in the near future for those unable to attend the in-person presentations.

Dr. Marla Stafford Tuesday, April 2, 2024 10:30 am - 11:30 am Edinburg-EEDUC 3.204A (Borderlands Room)

Dr. Qing Hu Thursday, April 4, 2024 10:30 am - 11:30 am Edinburg-EEDUC 3.204A (Borderlands Room)

Dr. Giorgio Gotti Monday, April 8, 2024 10:30 am – 11:30 am Edinburg-EEDUC 3.204A (Borderlands Room)

Your active engagement in this process is greatly appreciated and is essential for the success of our students, the Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship, and UTRGV.

Edinburg and Brownsville

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These birds are going to become parents any day now. Watch them hatch on ‘Osprey cam’

A couple in Gainesville is expecting triplets any day now. But their baby shower registry calls for fish, not diapers.

The University of Florida has a live cam pointed at an osprey nest on campus. The appropriately named ‘Osprey Cam’ is trained on Stella and Talon, a mated pair perched on a 100-pound nest of moss and twigs atop a light pole near the campus softball fields.

The UF osprey cam was born in 2017, but after it was struck by lightning in 2018 the camera went offline for a few years. By 2022, it was back up and running, and viewers voted to name the osprey pair Stella and Talon, the two chicks they raised Windy and Breezy, and dubbed the nest overlooking the softball fields “The Cheep Seats” or “Home Plate.”

In 2022, the live cam of their nest got over 70,000 viewers.

Last year, Stella and Talon built a new nest, and this is their second year in it. Stella laid three eggs in February, which are set to hatch “any day now,” according to a news release from the university.

Watch the live cam here: https://wec.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/ospreycam/

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