Recommitting to the UF Community: A Call to Action from a Soon-to-Be Alumnus
As a graduate student in the University of Florida’s (UF) neuroscience PhD program, Andrew Moore has had a unique perspective on what makes a top-five public university tick. In a recent opinion piece published in The Independent Florida Alligator, Moore reflected on his time at UF and offered words of wisdom to administrators, faculty, and students as he prepares to transition from student to alumnus.
According to Moore, UF’s dedication to innovation and progress is what sets it apart from other universities. "Being part of Gator Nation has taught me there is no better flagship university for the Sunshine State than UF," he wrote. "UF’s dedication to innovation and progress is unlike other universities I’ve been a part of." Moore pointed to investments in the HiPerGator supercomputer and the McKnight Brain Institute as examples of the university’s commitment to innovation.
However, Moore also noted that during his time at UF, he has felt a steady shift away from the university’s culture of innovation and progress. "Starting with the hiring of now former-President Ben Sasse, which felt like a gut punch to students and faculty alike," he wrote. Moore described Sasse’s leadership style as "shady" and claimed that it led to many leaders, administrators, faculty, and students leaving the university.
Moore’s sentiments were echoed by The Independent Florida Alligator, which has been reporting on UF news and events for decades. As a publication that has been independent of the university since 1971, The Alligator has a long history of holding UF accountable and providing a platform for student voices.
As UF transitions to a new president, Moore sees an opportunity for growth and renewal. "Now is a time of transitions," he wrote. "While I, as well as many of my fellow students, are transitioning to alumni, the university is transitioning to a new president and with transitions, there are many new opportunities for growth." However, Moore also cautioned that there are many paths that can reinforce bad habits, and he urged administrators, faculty, and students to work together to build a positive and inclusive community.
To administrators, Moore asked for transparency and accountability. "The shadiness of the last administration clouded the future of the Sunshine State’s best school and fostered doubt where trust should have been," he wrote. "No one wants to see politicians stuffing their and their friend’s pockets with cash before disappearing as quickly as they first appeared."
To faculty, Moore urged them to create environments that allow students to learn and discover who they are. "A stable and predictable administration that can be trusted allows faculty to focus on what they are here to do: teach students and advance their fields through research," he wrote. Moore also encouraged faculty to build a culture of innovation by investing in their students through their teaching.
Finally, to his fellow students, Moore encouraged them to actively engage with the community that has been built for them. "Universities are for students," he wrote. "I invite book worms to ask the questions no one else in class feels comfortable to ask but needs to know. I invite the type-A club presidents to organize and advocate for the people who love what they love."
As Moore prepares to leave UF, he reflected on what he has learned during his time at the university. "My time at UF has taught me what a university has the potential to be, but it has also taught me the fragility and constant care and attention necessary to keep it healthy," he wrote. In the end, Moore left UF with a message of hope and optimism, quoting the university’s alma mater: "Live on, university!"
This article is based on a report by Andrew Moore, a UF neuroscience graduate student, which was originally published in The Independent Florida Alligator. The Alligator is a student-run newspaper that has been independent of the university since 1971.
