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MONDAY, JUNE 9, 2025

VOLUME 119 - ISSUE 34 Not officially associated with the University of Florida

Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida

The top choice for UF president was rejected. What’s next? SANTA ONO’S REJECTION AS UF’S 14TH PRESIDENT INDICATES A CHANGING FRONTIER FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

By Maria Avlonitis Alligator Staff Writer

Juleidi Machuca // Alligator Staff

Santa Ono responds to questions posed by the panel at the Florida Board of Governors meeting at UCF’s Downtown Campus on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

Latest Gainesville Regional Transit System cuts leave community disappointed Service adjustments will go into effect June 30 By Logan McBride Alligator Staff Writer

The Gainesville Regional Transit System is losing roughly $2.9 million as a result of UF decreasing its funding. The cuts were announced during a Gainesville City Commission meeting June 5. RTS received nearly half of its funding from UF in 2024, totaling over $14 million a year. The university originally proposed funding cuts to RTS in April 2024. One year later, it announced it would focus on its Campus Connector transportation service going forward. The loss is about 22% of its current $12.7 million operating budget, according to a June 5 press release.

SPORTS/SPECIAL/CUTOUT

Art Storyexhibit description finish with comma, Queer students showcase their art. pg# Read more on pg. 4.

The decisions left community members disappointed and worried about the new changes. Service adjustments RTS will add weekend-only service to Route 126, which will operate on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Several routes have been eliminated and combined with existing service lines. Route 16 merged into Route 17, while Route 34 was absorbed by Route 12. Route 35’s service was split between Routes 12 and 37. Route 711 was discontinued and folded into Route 11. Realignments, updated schedules and route combinations will affect several routes. Route 1 will follow a new alignment and schedule to serve areas previ-

ously covered by Route 46. A removed segment from Route 3 will be served by Route 7, which includes weekend service changes. Route 6 was also realigned. Route 12 received both a new alignment and schedule to absorb the service of Routes 34 and 35. Route 13’s schedule and alignment were modified based on public feedback, according to the press release. Route 16 also received a new alignment and schedule after combining with Route 17. Route 20 now includes service to Cabana Beach and operates with a modified frequency, according to the press release. Route 23 was extended to Butler Plaza and updated with a new alignment and schedule. Route 33 also received alignment and schedule updates.

The Avenue: Water bottles

Students combine personal style with sustainability, pg. 5

The Avenue: Cynthia Erivo

A review of the star’s second solo album, pg. 5

The search for the University of Florida’s next president continues amid twists and turns in an increasingly heated political climate. The Florida Board of Governors blocked Santa J. Ono’s appointment as UF’s next president June 3. This marked the first time the largely governor-appointed board rejected a Florida university’s presidential candidate since its creation in 2003. The 10-6 vote came after a wave of conservative backlash targeting Ono and his past support of diversity initiatives. Board members interrogated Ono over his past statements, letters he signed and actions he took nearly 15 years ago. To some, Ono represented an academic with the experience and qualifications to run a top public university, having served as president of three universities. But to many conservative Florida leaders, he represented the values they’re trying to keep out of state schools. He resigned as president of the University of Michigan after being announced as the sole finalist in UF’s presidential search May 4. Ono quickly pledged loyalty to Florida values, denouncing his past actions and stating he believes in Florida’s vision for higher education. “This alignment signals seriousness of purpose, and it tells me that Florida is building something truly exceptional,” he wrote in an Inside Higher Ed article May 8. “I’m excited to be part of that.” Despite his declaration of change, Ono couldn’t escape his past. Mori Hosseini, the chair of the Board of Trustees and a major donor to Gov. Ron DeSantis, advocated for Ono since the announcement. Hosseini pushed for UF to achieve a higher national ranking since it dropped to No. 7 after being a top-five public university. He said he’s dedicated to the goal and believed Ono would “see to it that the University of Florida continues its ascent toward becoming America’s premier public university.” Hosseini wrote in an email to the university June 6 stating the Board of Trustees stands by the integrity of the search and Ono’s selection. The Board of Governors rejection was “deeply disappointing,” Hosseini wrote. The decision won’t diminish UF’s momentum, with or without Hosseini, he added. One thing remains clear: Florida universities are now highly politicized. A win for some Prior to the vote, conservative leaders blasted Ono, claiming he wasn’t a good fit for

SEE RTS, PAGE 3

SEE ONO, PAGE 4

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