New radio show “Queer Spaces” highlights queer joy in Florida
Taro, a genderqueer St. Petersburg resident. Photo courtesy of Daylina Miller.

New radio show “Queer Spaces” highlights queer joy in Florida

In a world where LGBTQ+ individuals still face discrimination and prejudice, WUSF multimedia reporter Daylina Miller's new radio program Queer Spaces offers a refreshing perspective on the celebration of queerness in the Tampa Bay region and the importance of safe queer spaces. Miller, a queer…

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Downright delirious diabetic debacle: Fake tweet leads to $35 insulin cap
A reminder to always read the fine print. Photo credit: Eli Lilly’s official website

Downright delirious diabetic debacle: Fake tweet leads to $35 insulin cap

On Mar. 1, Eli Lilly, also known as Lilly, a pharmaceutical company that prides itself on “integrity, excellence and respect for people,” announced that they will be capping their insulin products at $35 for a one month’s supply of the life-saving medication. The change seeks…

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Old books, maps and more offered at the Antiquarian Book Fair
This picture was taken in the middle of the Coliseum, depicting the building’s beautiful lighting and perfect symmetry. Photo courtesy of Aria Lockman

Old books, maps and more offered at the Antiquarian Book Fair

From the sunny west coast of Florida to the cloudy and rainy weather of London, booksellers traveled far and wide to make an appearance at the 40th anniversary of Florida’s Antiquarian Book Fair in St. Petersburg's historic building, the Coliseum. The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair…

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OP-ED: A completely serious and unironic review of banned children’s books
A teacher reading a proper, patriotic book to a classroom of proper, patriotic children. Photo taken from Pexels

OP-ED: A completely serious and unironic review of banned children’s books

As a culture war wages onward across America, a wave of book bans has reached classrooms and libraries across the country. The bans have resulted in uproars as those silly leftists rage against the prohibition of their false idols. I, for one, think banning children’s…

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Chalking on campus: where do you draw the line?
Chalk illustration on campus protesting the erasing of the colorful protest. (Courtesy of Niko Zamora.)

Chalking on campus: where do you draw the line?

By Isaac Tellechea & Mark McDermott Navigating the conflicting interests of the campus is comparable enough to a minefield as-is, but students may have trudged over cultural tripwires without even taking notice—though authorities certainly have. Following the Feb. 23 walkout, the chalk impressions of resistance…

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New College Foundation abstains from voting on Corcoran’s salary, claims to have unallocated funds available
Nine of the Foundation Board of Directors members meeting in-person with Interim President Richard Corcoran in the Keating Center. Screenshot taken by Sophia Brown

New College Foundation abstains from voting on Corcoran’s salary, claims to have unallocated funds available

The New College Foundation—the direct-support organization that raises public and private funds for New College—has come under increased scrutiny this past month, starting on Feb. 13 when Board of Trustees (BOT) Chair Debra Jenks announced that the Foundation would be covering Interim President Richard Corcoran’s…

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New College Challenge welcomes Yale architects to present visions of campus remodeling
Kevin Yang—visiting from the Yale School of Architecture—presenting Novos a board game titled “New Circus in Town,” built to model his vision of a future New College campus. (Taken by Mark McDermott.)

New College Challenge welcomes Yale architects to present visions of campus remodeling

Last year, former President Patricia Okker kicked off the New College Challenge: a campus initiative described as “a path to address the issues of social, economic and environmental resilience—issues that have a direct impact on New College, our community and our future” on the New…

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VIP Weekend canceled: how, why and what will replace it
Students from last year's VIP Weekend, looking over the New College bayfront. Photo provided by C’erra Tubbs, William Lopez, and Destiny Peterson.

VIP Weekend canceled: how, why and what will replace it

New College’s Valuing Inclusivity Program (VIP) Weekend was an event intended to bring prospective students of color on campus for a weekend stay in current students' dorms, giving them the opportunity to attend on-campus events and get a glimpse at student life. However, on Mar.…

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Florida Legislature introduces six-week abortion ban
The Planned Parenthood sign located in downtown Sarasota. Taken by Veronica Jolley.

Florida Legislature introduces six-week abortion ban

Florida is the next state in line to restrict access to abortion further than it already has. Florida lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 300 on Mar. 7 which, as of Mar. 16, has been voted to advance by a Florida House committee and is now HB…

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Hampshire College matches tuition cost for New College transfers, writes letter to student body
A photo of Hampshire College's campus, courtesy of the college's website.

Hampshire College matches tuition cost for New College transfers, writes letter to student body

Hampshire College is welcoming New College students with the opportunity to pursue a liberal arts education in Massachusetts. Hampshire is offering a financial aid package set to match prospective students transferring from New College with the same tuition as the rate said student paid in…

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DeSantis book tour takes him national
DeSantis and Trump sharing a table in Belleair, Florida in 2020. Photo courtesy of Getty Images

DeSantis book tour takes him national

On Mar. 1, the Conservative Political Action Coalition (CPAC) held its annual congregation of conservative thinkers, speakers and officials. The esteemed list of speakers included former President Donald J. Trump, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, one-time Trump staffer Steve Bannon and other such figures. Media coverage…

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What the license to sell hard drugs in Canada really means
Edited image depicting the ease of access to buying hard drugs in Canada. (Edited by Chloe Rusek.)

What the license to sell hard drugs in Canada really means

Capitalism has dipped itself into many questionable markets, including the most recent debate on assisted suicide and it’s ethics which came to light due to Canada’s allowal of “Medical assistance in dying.” On Mar. 3, in another bold move, Canada has legalized the sale of…

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Can your dog survive the nuclear apocalypse?: Chernobyl’s thriving dog populations
Dogs are thriving in Chernobyl following a massive nuclear disaster, leaving scientists surprised and intrigued. Photo edited by Chloe Rusek.

Can your dog survive the nuclear apocalypse?: Chernobyl’s thriving dog populations

On Apr. 26, 1986 Chernobyl’s number four reactor, located near Pripyat in the north of Ukraine SSR, failed due to flaws in testing which caused a reactor meltdown and displaced around 350,000 people within the 2,800-square-kilo exclusion zone. In the exclusion zone around the Chernobyl…

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A snapshot of Florida’s annual Strawberry Festival
There are many exhibits and competitions held at the Florida Strawberry Festival. This exhibit was presented by Parkesdale Farms, a local strawberry farm known for its strawberries and quality strawberry shortcake. Photo taken by Aria Lockman

A snapshot of Florida’s annual Strawberry Festival

It’s that wonderful time of year again: spring is back, red tide is suffocating the west coast of Florida and the Florida Strawberry Festival is in town. Located in Plant City, this festival is conducted to showcase agriculture, commerce, livestock, horticulture and other creative crafts…

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Serving at the Novo Volleyball Tournament
Live capture of an intense rally at the tournament. (Taken by Chloe Rusek.)

Serving at the Novo Volleyball Tournament

On Mar. 12, New College students and faculty hit the freshly redone courts to play in a competitive Volleyball Tournament. The heated games lasted from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. as students enjoyed hot dogs, burgers and cold drinks on the sidelines. Crowds lined up…

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To drill or not to drill: President Biden’s approves Willow project
Photo of an oil drill site in Alaska. Courtesy of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE).

To drill or not to drill: President Biden’s approves Willow project

Environmental and climate activists have been rallying online since early February against Alaska’s largest crude oil producer, ConocoPhillips, and its proposed Willow oil project—first announced in 2017. However, efforts proved futile as President Joe Biden’s administration approved the controversial plan on Mar. 13. The Willow…

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Another new DeSantis board: Disney’s tax district gets new Board of Supervisors
DeSantis signs law that gives Florida legislature control over the Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID) and appoints five new Board of Supervisor members. Screenshot from Video from the New York Post. Feb. 27 2023.

Another new DeSantis board: Disney’s tax district gets new Board of Supervisors

In Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ongoing “war on woke,” Walt Disney World has been a consistent thorn in the governor's side. On Mar. 28, 2022, Disney made a public statement explaining that “Florida’s HB 1557, also known as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, should never have…

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New alumni board will operate outside the New College Foundation
An image of College Hall. (Taken by Isaac Tellechea.)

New alumni board will operate outside the New College Foundation

A group of alumni have begun the process of starting a new board independent of the New College Alumni Association (NCAA), with the primary goal of separating from the New College Foundation. Although the average student’s tenure on New College’s campus only lasts four years,…

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Anthropology Commons seeks to connect the NCF community through alumni panel
Anthropology Lab bulletin board. Picture courtesy of Gaby Batista.

Anthropology Commons seeks to connect the NCF community through alumni panel

Assistant Professor of Anthropology and International & Area Studies Yidong Gong is making moves during the spring semester to engage more New College students in the study of all things anthropology. The Anthropology Commons takes place at least once a month in the Anthropology Lab,…

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Local used bookstore tackles a new project: a Banned Books Bus
The future Banned Books Bus that Shelf purchased. Photo courtesy of Nikki Snyder.

Local used bookstore tackles a new project: a Banned Books Bus

Shelf Indulgence is a local used bookstore located in the Sarasota area, known for its cozy study space, wonderful cafe, amazing staff and wide selection of used books. However, Shelf Indulgence (affectionately nicknamed Shelf) has found yet another way to set themselves apart from other…

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Trustee Christopher Rufo and New College are being sued for access to Rufo’s personal phone records
Chief Human Resources Officer Erica Worthy (left), Trustee Christopher Rufo (center) and Trustee Lance Karp (right) at the Board of Trustees meeting held on Jan 31. Photo by Nic Steinig.

Trustee Christopher Rufo and New College are being sued for access to Rufo’s personal phone records

New College of Florida Board of Trustees (BOT) member Christopher Rufo and New College of Florida are currently being sued in a joint lawsuit filed on Feb. 21 by the Florida Center for Government Accountability (FLCGA), a nonprofit transparency organization. FLCGA’s suit includes a request…

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One year later: where Russia and Ukraine stand
A soldier waves a Ukrainian flag while standing atop an armored personnel carrier in Hostomel, Ukraine. (Photo taken by Alexey Furman)

One year later: where Russia and Ukraine stand

“One year later, Kyiv stands,” President Joe Biden declared while meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Mariinsky Palace. Feb. 24 marked the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, an invasion that was an escalation of President Vladimir Putin’s years-long quest to rebuild the…

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New Music New College brings prose to life in “It’s Alive! A Monstrous Circus On Frankenstein”
ACE Plaza is adorned with lights, chairs and camera set ups. Walkway windows were opened with special permission to allow for performers to enact their parts and pose dramatically for the audience to experience a dynamic, moving performance. Photo credit: Gaby Batista

New Music New College brings prose to life in “It’s Alive! A Monstrous Circus On Frankenstein”

The arts are widely embraced on-campus—music being no exception. New Music New College (NMNC) brings revolutionary musical performances every semester, allowing New College students, staff and faculty to enjoy truly unique experiences for free. On Mar. 4, members of the on-campus and wider Sarasota communities…

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20th annual Embracing Our Differences art exhibit celebrates diversity in Sarasota
A photo of some of the Embracing Our Differences artworks on display, including “Whose Doll?” by Courtney Beth Tippett and “Be You” by Ms. Motta's First Grade Class from Emma E. Booker Elementary School. Photo taken by Brynn Halpern

20th annual Embracing Our Differences art exhibit celebrates diversity in Sarasota

The Embracing Our Differences education initiative publicly presents its 20th annual traveling exhibition at Sarasota’s Bayfront park from now until Mar. 12, and showcases 50 hand-chosen works centered around celebrating diversity. The art is featured along the walkways of the Sarasota marina for the public…

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Clueing In On Regal’s Monday Mystery Movie
The interior of Regal Hollywood - Sarasota. (Image found on tripadvisor.com)

Clueing In On Regal’s Monday Mystery Movie

There’s no such thing as swinging in cinema. Plotting a movie night is plodding, and there’s often very little wiggle room for a spur-of-the-moment love affair with a movie. Even in the streaming age, the convenience of having a library of content from the comfort…

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Settling the score with ACT and SAT: Testing and college enrollment in 2023
A student taking a multiple-choice test. Credit: Andy Barbour

Settling the score with ACT and SAT: Testing and college enrollment in 2023

At any point in a prospective student’s application process up until the COVID-19 outbreak, they have been required to contend with the placement test. For folks in Florida, the two historic heavyweights have been the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and American College Testing (ACT) exams.…

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The “Don’t Say Gay” Bill expanded, and other anti-LGBTQ+ proposals from the Florida Legislators
A hand holding a transgender pride flag. Photo courtesy of Flickr

The “Don’t Say Gay” Bill expanded, and other anti-LGBTQ+ proposals from the Florida Legislators

The rights of LGBTQ+ people are being consistently challenged by Republicans across the country. It seems that the issues of gender-affirming care, “saying gay” and whether the public is mature enough to witness drag have become some of the biggest issues facing politicians in their…

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Board of Trustees abolish Office of Outreach and Inclusive Excellence, welcomes new Interim President Corcoran to campus
The New College Board of Trustees (BOT), both virtual and in-person during the Feb. 28 meeting. Screenshot taken from the New College of Florida YouTube channel.

Board of Trustees abolish Office of Outreach and Inclusive Excellence, welcomes new Interim President Corcoran to campus

Feb. 28 was a highly anticipated date for New College, as it marked Interim President Richard Corcoran’s second official day on the job and his first ever public address to the New College community during that day’s Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting. Also highly anticipated…

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“Our students are not political pawns”: hundreds gather on campus to oppose elimination of DEI, Richard Corcoran
Students, community members, parents and alumni gathered outside of the Hamilton "Ham" Center on Feb. 28 in protest. Photo by Nat Kornblum

“Our students are not political pawns”: hundreds gather on campus to oppose elimination of DEI, Richard Corcoran

“Fight fight fight, education is a human right!” This mantra was chanted by hundreds of students, alums, parents and community members gathered on the steps of Hamilton “Ham” Center before the Feb. 28 New College Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting. The meeting would be the…

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New College students join state-wide coalition in “Stand for Freedom” walkout
New College students gathered outside of the Jane Bancroft Cook Library during a student walkout protesting actions taken by the Board of Trustees. The “Four Winds” sculpture is displayed on the right, adorned with dark streamers placed by students. Photo by Nic Steinig.

New College students join state-wide coalition in “Stand for Freedom” walkout

On Feb. 23, around 100 of the 698 students enrolled at New College of Florida walked out of their classrooms in protest of recent actions taken by the new Board of Trustees (BOT) and the proposed changes targeting Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives made…

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Red or Blue? New research reveals that color of light impacts plant growth
A picture depicting a tomato plant. Photo courtesy of Shuttershock.

Red or Blue? New research reveals that color of light impacts plant growth

Researchers have recently discovered a way to make agrivoltaics—the use of solar panels to grow and cultivate crops—more efficient. They have found that the different levels of wavelengths have an impact on the crops and how quickly they grow. Studies have shown that agrivoltaics can…

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Manhattan Institute turns its attention to New College: things to know about this conservative think tank
A screenshot of the Manhattan Institute logo superimposed over the city skyline at sunset. (Photo taken from manhattan-institute.org)

Manhattan Institute turns its attention to New College: things to know about this conservative think tank

Following their appointments, something the New College community quickly recognized about the seven new Board of Trustee (BOT) members was that not all of them had prior experience working in educational institutions, and many were coming from out of state. Even without the work credentials…

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Ohio train derailment: health concerns and waste removal begin
Image of multiple train cars derailed and on fire. Photo taken by Gene Puskar.

Ohio train derailment: health concerns and waste removal begin

Following the environmental disaster that occurred on Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio, when a Norfolk Southern train crashed and caught fire, the roughly 4,700 residents of East Palestine and the surrounding area are still being affected by the derailment. The train had a total…

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Humpback whales are giving up their songs
A picture of a whale after breaching the surface of the ocean. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Humpback whales are giving up their songs

A new study of Australian humpback whales provides researchers with a disheartening discovery: their melancholy songs are on the decline. The graceful mammals have instead resorted to other methods of attracting mates: violence. Their songs are an ever-evolving language allowing the animals to communicate with…

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Oldest stone tools have been discovered in Kenya, but they weren’t used by humans
An illustration of the species Paranthropus robustus. Photo courtesy of Micheal Long and Science Photo Library.

Oldest stone tools have been discovered in Kenya, but they weren’t used by humans

It was a stormy day in Kenya in 2017: paleoanthropologist Emma Finestone was recording the location of fossils when she made a shocking discovery. The team was removing the skeleton of an ancient hippo when they found a molar intermingled with early Oldowan tools. However,…

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New College chomps down on carnivorous plant research
An image of Venus Flytraps. (Taken by Isaiah Johnson.)

New College chomps down on carnivorous plant research

Carnivorous plant enthusiasts may have found a home in the CarniVORiNCF club. Started this semester by second-year transfer student Isaiah Johnson, the CarniVORiNCF program serves students who are interested in botany, plant biology and mycology.  Johnson began pursuing his interest in carnivorous plants in high…

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Wonderful Vices: Behind the scenes of the Love and Dionysus COUP
The Nook section of the COUP event where a variety of pop, throwbacks, and latin hits were played by student DJs. Photo Credit Brynn Halpern

Wonderful Vices: Behind the scenes of the Love and Dionysus COUP

Love is in the air this season, just in time for New College’s Valentine's Day Center of the Universe Party (COUP), which was thrown on Feb. 25. For Novos needing to let off steam following the spring semester kickoff, the Love and Dionysus COUP was…

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Chief Coley provides insight on the state of the CPD
Police cruisers on campus can make the CPD seem intimidating or impersonal to students, but they could soon be making the transition to bikes and golf carts.

Chief Coley provides insight on the state of the CPD

By Arianna Lockman and Chloe Rusek It’s safe to say that New College has been experiencing many changes within the past two months: Students and faculty are concerned for the future of their school, but there’s one voice New College has yet to hear from:…

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Green New Meal Deal: Metz battles increased student food waste
"Weigh the Waste" board located in Hamilton Center. (Taken by Mark McDermott.)

Green New Meal Deal: Metz battles increased student food waste

Though Palm Court has precedent to the esteemed “Center of the Universe” title, the second closest candidate for such a prestigious position is the Hamilton “Ham” Center—a staple in student life and on-campus dining. In spite of its importance, upwards of 120 lbs. of Metz…

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For students, by students: Bulk Bar thesis project seeks to make campus more sustainable
Main set up in the bulk bar equipped with different selections of hand and dish soaps. Photo credit: Gaby Batista

For students, by students: Bulk Bar thesis project seeks to make campus more sustainable

Sustainability is constantly at the forefront of conversations surrounding climate change and the sheer amount of waste created by human consumption. Generation Z has stepped up in creating initiatives such as the Food Forest and the composting tutorial to achieve a more sustainable society that…

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NCF Board of Trustees approves revised contract for Richard Corcoran
Vice Chair Ron Christaldi tuning in to the Feb. 21 Special BOT Meeting from his car. Photo taken by Basil Pursley

NCF Board of Trustees approves revised contract for Richard Corcoran

Incoming Interim New College President Richard Corcoran’s employment contract was approved on Feb. 21 by the Board of Trustees (BOT), including his lofty base salary of $699,000. Approval of Corcoran’s contract was the only action item at this virtual Special BOT meeting, and judging by…

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Alumni Letter addressing the New College Foundation
A photo of the Keating Center, where the New College Foundation office is location. Photo courtesy of ncf.edu

Alumni Letter addressing the New College Foundation

The following is a letter written to the New College Foundation on Feb. 21, 2023. It has been signed by 156 New College alumni, with cohorts ranging from the 1960s to New College's most recent graduating class. Dear Members of the New College Foundation:   The…

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Former New College President Patricia Okker gives first interview
Former New College president Patricia Okker, courtesy of LinkedIn.

Former New College President Patricia Okker gives first interview

We don’t know what could happen was the general sentiment shared by many members of the New College community in the weeks leading up to the first Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting scheduled just after a slate of new conservative appointments by Gov. Ron DeSantis.…

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Student letters addressed to Dr. Patricia Okker
Letters from New College students to their former president. Photo courtesy of Nickolas Steinig

Student letters addressed to Dr. Patricia Okker

Current students were invited to submit open, unsigned letters to Dr. Patricia Okker, for initial “delivery” via publication in the Catalyst. The full text of each submission appears below. Dear former president Okker,I am sorry to hear about your termination. I sincerely hope that you…

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Alumni Reunion Weekend: A decades-long history of courage, resistance and hilarious antics
A crowd of alumni with cohorts dating back to the 60s, gathered in Palm Court. Photo taken by Nickolas Steinig

Alumni Reunion Weekend: A decades-long history of courage, resistance and hilarious antics

For weeks prior to the event, the New College Alumni Facebook group was abuzz with folks making plans for accommodations and social gatherings for the upcoming Alumni Weekend. Dozens of alums returned to campus on Feb. 17 and 18 for the opportunity to connect and…

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Ringling exhibit “Glimpse of the Artist” co-curated by New College student, celebrates Newtown art
Art created by students of Emma E. Booker, featured at the "Glimpse of the Artist" exhibit. Photo courtesy of Lauren David.

Ringling exhibit “Glimpse of the Artist” co-curated by New College student, celebrates Newtown art

Within Sarasota, there is a hidden gem which has been pushed to the sidelines throughout the town’s history: the celebrated African American community, Newtown. However, in recent years, the community has begun shifting into the spotlight as one of Sarasota’s most vibrant, artistic and historic…

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Turkey-Syria earthquakes: How New College can help?
A man sitting in the rubble caused by the earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria. Photo courtesy of AFP.

Turkey-Syria earthquakes: How New College can help?

On Feb. 6, southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria were hit with a 7.8 earthquake leaving more than 45,000 people dead and millions of people displaced as rescue teams struggle to save them. In the immediate hours following the initial earthquake, the…

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DeSantis takes aim at College Board for “indoctrination” and lacking “educational value”
DeSantis has suggested earlier this month that Florida could do away with College Board entirely--but it's not yet clear how, when or what it might be replaced with. Image created by Caspian Rizzo

DeSantis takes aim at College Board for “indoctrination” and lacking “educational value”

Over the past few weeks, a dizzying flurry of announcements have come from Gov. Ron DeSantis’s office concerning Florida’s high school curriculum. Most recently, the governor has taken aim at the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) African American studies curriculum, lambasting it as woke indoctrination.…

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Florida student athletes required to identify gender assigned at birth
An empty locker room. (Courtesy of flickr.)

Florida student athletes required to identify gender assigned at birth

The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) has been fighting controversy in recent weeks after discussing the possibility of requiring student athletes to answer questions about their menstrual history on the state-wide pre-participation physical evaluation form. The form has included questions about menstrual history since…

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Artificial Intelligence or just text prediction? How ChatGPT and other Open AI programs function
An AI-generated New College student. Photo courtesy of Basil Pursley and DALL-E

Artificial Intelligence or just text prediction? How ChatGPT and other Open AI programs function

OpenAI, the renowned artificial intelligence research laboratory, has made groundbreaking progress in the field of natural language processing with its state-of-the-art language model, ChatGPT. As one of the largest language models in the world, ChatGPT has been able to generate coherent and realistic text in…

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Housing crisis at California Polytechnic University, Humboldt becomes a source of anger and outrage
Cal Poly Humboldt's campus entrance. (Courtesy of flickr.)

Housing crisis at California Polytechnic University, Humboldt becomes a source of anger and outrage

On Feb. 4, California Polytechnic University, Humboldt announced that incoming first-year students would have priority for all on-campus housing. While the exact number of incoming students in the fall is still unknown, the university did receive 19,000 applications in January, almost doubling the amount of…

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New College’s basketball team outlasts Ringling in 43-42 victory
The New College team in a timeout huddle. (Photo taken by Janie Day.)

New College’s basketball team outlasts Ringling in 43-42 victory

In Fall 2022, the recently-established New College basketball team provided a place for students to learn the basics of the sport and jump on the courts for a pick-up game or two. While the team’s primary purpose is to be a source of Novocollegian sportsmanship…

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Itinerary for Sarasota night owls
The vegetable miso ramen from Sushi-Ramen. Photo courtesy of Kat Dow ('02), who recommends that readers order their ramen with a soft-yolk shoyu egg, which must be specially requested for a classic ramen bowl.

Itinerary for Sarasota night owls

With Sarasota's mixed population of retirees and college students, younger audiences may feel like they have less access to nightlife activities than other university towns do. For night owls looking for entertainment past 7 p.m., there are plenty of hidden gems in the Sarasota-Bradenton area…

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KEEPING ON (breathing): Alum’s sculpture aims to give NCF space to grieve
Schulman's sculpture displayed at the New College bayfront during sunset. Photo courtesy of Logan Gabrielle Schulman

KEEPING ON (breathing): Alum’s sculpture aims to give NCF space to grieve

Students walking around New College from Feb. 7 through 9 may have noticed a strange object circulating throughout campus. Having just directed The Fog at New College in 2022, Logan Gabrielle Schulman (‘17)—artist, educator, organizer and theater maker—returned to campus from New York to showcase…

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Board of Trustees approves Corcoran’s Interim President contract: NCF faces uncertain future
The Board of Trustees (BOT) and a handful of other New College administrators present for the Special BOT Meeting on Feb. 13 via Zoom. Photo taken by Sophia Brown

Board of Trustees approves Corcoran’s Interim President contract: NCF faces uncertain future

After a deeply disruptive Jan. 31 meeting, the New College Board of Trustees (BOT) was not expected to meet again until the end of February. However, on Feb. 6, it was posted on the New College website that a Special BOT Meeting would be held…

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New College’s faculty meets for first time this year, focus on retaining values
Faculty applauding Provost Sherman following her opening statement. Photo taken by Nic Steinig

New College’s faculty meets for first time this year, focus on retaining values

On Feb. 8, the New College of Florida’s faculty held their first public meeting since the announcement of new appointments to the Board of Trustees (BOT). It was also the first in-person faculty meeting since the coronavirus pandemic began. Professors and staff from across the…

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Tiffany Stained Glass comes to Selby Gardens
Reference photos used by Tiffany Studio Artisans. Taken by Qadira Locke.

Tiffany Stained Glass comes to Selby Gardens

Selby Botanical Gardens has brought Louis C. Tiffany’s “Pursuit of Beauty in Nature” to the Downtown Sarasota Campus in an exhibition featuring a variety of pieces from Tiffany Studios, including pieces that use Favrile glass. On display until June 25, every piece features designs that…

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“You are not alone”: words from Representative Anna Eskamani to the New College community
A protest sign outside of the Sudakoff Center on Jan. 31. (Taken by Sophia Brown.)

“You are not alone”: words from Representative Anna Eskamani to the New College community

Since the Jan. 6 announcement of six new conservative-aligned Board of Trustee (BOT) members appointed at New College of Florida, Representative Anna Eskamani (District 47- Democrat) has spoken out frequently and firmly in opposition to the decision. Taking to social media platforms like Twitter and…

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Who is Richard Corcoran? A look at our incoming Interim President
A photo of Richard Corcoran, flanked by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Who is Richard Corcoran? A look at our incoming Interim President

On Jan. 31, the New College of Florida’s Board of Trustees (BOT) fired former President Patricia Okker and proposed replacing her with an interim, Republican politician and education administrator Richard Corcoran, effective Feb. 27. Corcoran’s base salary will sit at $699,000, approved when his proposed…

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Demystifying the Makerspace: Library resources and how to use them
Exterior look of the makerspace within the Jane Bancroft Cook Library. Photo credit: Gaby Batista

Demystifying the Makerspace: Library resources and how to use them

A cloud of mystery looms over a certain corner of the Jane Bancroft Cook Library that houses one of the most versatile spaces on campus: the Makerspace. Libraries across the globe stand to lose patrons in the days of technological advances and innovative inventions that…

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Public Statement of the Faculty of New College of Florida
Professor of Mathematics Patrick McDonald reading the statement at the Feb. 8 faculty meeting. (Taken by Nickolas Steinig.)

Public Statement of the Faculty of New College of Florida

The following statement was passed by official motion and majority vote of the faculty of New College of Florida on Feb. 10, 2023. Signed by Chair of the Faculty Matthew Lepinski and Vice-Chair of the Faculty Nicolas Delon. We stand united in this moment, as…

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A glance into Admissions following BOT shake-up
College Hall serves as the headquarters for the admissions office.

A glance into Admissions following BOT shake-up

In the face of recent political adversities at New College of Florida, faculty and students have been concerned that the rates of admissions will take a drastic turn. Former President Patricia Okker and admissions staff admitted twice the number of students in the 2021-2022 academic…

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Sur la Bay 2023 features Afro Caribbean drumming ISP and local band TREEDOMM
Set up of various drums lining the steps to College Hall. Photo credit: Gaby Batista

Sur la Bay 2023 features Afro Caribbean drumming ISP and local band TREEDOMM

Sur la Bay is one of many Black History Month activities happening at New College until Mar. 1—showcasing work done by students of the Patá Independent Study Project (ISP) as well as performances from the local band TREEDOMM. With help from New Music New College…

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Studying abroad just got easier: sneak peak into abroad programs and accessibility
Spread of various study abroad materials from IES. Photo credit: Gaby Batista

Studying abroad just got easier: sneak peak into abroad programs and accessibility

The New College Off-Campus Study/Study Abroad office has long been interested in connecting students with the right programs and necessary support to successfully complete a semester, summer or even a full year of a program or internship anywhere in the world. The Study Abroad Fair…

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Trustee Mark Bauerlein wants to involve students in academic debate
Headshot photo of trustee Mark Bauerlein. Courtesy of Mark Bauerlein

Trustee Mark Bauerlein wants to involve students in academic debate

Former New College President Patricia Okker was removed from her position on Jan. 31, by a new Board of Trustees (BOT) featuring seven additional members appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. For new trustee Dr. Mark Bauerlein, this decision was important for reconciling the goals of…

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OP-ED: Dishonest assault on an educational gem
A photo of College Hall from Oct. 1979. Photo courtesy of the New College Digital Collections.

OP-ED: Dishonest assault on an educational gem

Submitted by Bruce Benidt (‘72) The Governor and the new trustees are wrong about New College. And it tears my heart and soul to see what they’re doing to such a bright light of learning. New College does not indoctrinate. It is not a captive…

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Reviewing “A Game” and “The Girl Who Was Asked to Turn Blue” in NCF’s current campus climate
The shared cast of the two one-acts performing the opening scene of "A Game." Photo courtesy of Nova Myhill.

Reviewing “A Game” and “The Girl Who Was Asked to Turn Blue” in NCF’s current campus climate

For the second show of the [performance @ new college] 2022-2023 season, Assistant Professor of Theater, Dance and Performance Studies (TDPS) Diego Villada directed a double-feature: A Game by Dennis E. Noble and The Girl Who Was Asked to Turn Blue by Ev Miller. Both…

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What is the Sunshine Law and why does it matter?
A view of the sun shining at New College's Bayfront Campus. (Taken by Isaac Tellechea.)

What is the Sunshine Law and why does it matter?

On Jan. 31, New College’s Board of Trustees (BOT) held its first meeting since Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Board of Governors (BOG) appointed seven new members to its governing body. In that meeting, monumental change was rapidly brought upon the school, namely the…

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Inside the “hostile takeover”: an autopsy of the Jan. 31 Board of Trustees meeting
The Jan. 31 Board of Trustees meeting inside Sudakoff Conference Center. Photo taken from the New College of Florida YouTube channel.

Inside the “hostile takeover”: an autopsy of the Jan. 31 Board of Trustees meeting

When it was first announced on Jan. 6 that Gov. Ron DeSantis had appointed six new members to New College’s Board of Trustees (BOT), various media outlets began calling this move a “hostile takeover”—with a seventh new member joining them on Jan. 26.  There was…

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“Our school, our home, our choice”: NCF community rallies together in response to BOT meeting
Student organizer Sam Sharf speaking at the rally on Jan. 31 in front of the Hamilton Center preceding the Board of Trustees meeting. Photo credit: Gaby Batista

“Our school, our home, our choice”: NCF community rallies together in response to BOT meeting

Jan. 31 proved to be a prominent date for most—if not all—of the New College community. The prospects of what the Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting could entail lingered on many minds, primarily a group of New College students, alumni and community organizations such as…

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A brief overview of DeSantis’ education reform
Table of banned books. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.

A brief overview of DeSantis’ education reform

It’s no secret that Florida has become ground zero for conservative educational policy. Gov. Ron DeSantis has made countless headlines throughout the past year due to policies like the "Don’t Say Gay" Bill, the Stop WOKE Act, book banning in K-12 schools and, most recently,…

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A unique New College experience: Birding for academic credit
A flock of American White Pelicans flying over the bay. (Photo taken by Arianna Lockman.)

A unique New College experience: Birding for academic credit

An exclusive New College experience takes place throughout the entire month of January, a period when Independent Study Projects (ISPs) take place. During this time, students embark on a month-long research project, which can be done in groups or can be done independently between a…

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When in Rome: ISP lets students sample ancient Roman cuisine
The cover of Mark Grant's Roman Cookery: Ancient Recipes for Modern Kitchens, the inspiration for the ISP.

When in Rome: ISP lets students sample ancient Roman cuisine

Professor of Classics David Rohrbacher’s Food and Dining in Ancient Rome Independent Study Project (ISP) was a huge hit among students, drawing in well over a dozen first-years for their first group ISP. Take a look back on the different meals and students’ experience with…

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New College German Department presents, “Border Stations and Ghost Stations in Divided Berlin”
Rachel Roeder at the Berlin Wall exhibit opening. (Photo taken by Chloe Rusek.)

New College German Department presents, “Border Stations and Ghost Stations in Divided Berlin”

Imagine going to bed and waking up to a world divided by a wall that seemingly sprung up overnight. Aug. 13, 1961: the communist German Democratic Republic (GDR) began the construction of a wall separating East and West Berlin. With the Berlin Wall playing such…

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Winter break housing prices and ISP meal plans bring about controversy
Campus often feels empty and desolate during winter break and ISP--but getting to stay on campus during these times is a requirement for some students' ISPs, and an incredibly valuable resource for housing insecure students. However, this doesn't mean that staying on campus during these times is always easy for students with limited budgets or specific dietary requirements. Photo taken by Sophia Brown.

Winter break housing prices and ISP meal plans bring about controversy

Throughout the years, New College has been met with criticism from the student body regarding issues of food insecurity and the quality of life on campus. Whether it be due to food quality, accessibility issues or even just finding suitable times to eat during a…

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2022-2023 group ISPs: What does New College have to offer?
For one of many group ISPs available this year, “Birding New College,” students will have the opportunity to encounter and identify all kinds of local birds. Photo courtesy of the New College Feral Pigeons club.

2022-2023 group ISPs: What does New College have to offer?

It’s that delightful time of year: students are studying for finals and preparing for the holidays while snowbirds begin their invasion of the Sarasota area. Despite the holiday cheer and the terrific traffic, there is another annual event students have to look forward to: Independent…

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First-year, first semester: new students offer insight to on-campus life for Fall 2022
A table of first-year students eating lunch in the Hamilton "Ham" Center, shortly after fall classes first began. Photo taken by Brynn Halpern.

First-year, first semester: new students offer insight to on-campus life for Fall 2022

First-year students have started their college experiences this academic year with a constant stream of tropical storms and at the tail-end of a pandemic. With the misaligned syllabi and stressful schedules, it seemed like the end of this semester wasn't in sight for first-timers here…

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Distressed railroad workers protest in solidarity
The Railroad Workers United logo. (Courtesy of their website.)

Distressed railroad workers protest in solidarity

The spirit of solidarity is in the air for railroad workers all over the country in their ongoing struggle for better working conditions and paid sick leave. With resources provided to the Catalyst courtesy of Visiting Assistant Professor of English Debarati Biswas, the history, ethics…

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Holiday hotspots in Sarasota
UTC celebrating the holiday season. (Taken by Aria Lockmann.)

Holiday hotspots in Sarasota

Earlier this semester, the Catalyst covered a trifecta of locally-owned businesses where one could get a good cup of coffee. Assuming the campus has been caffeinated—coupled with so many students being cooped up during the dreaded finals week—the best course of action would be to…

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Biden reorders primaries as he eyes his second term
The city hall of San Francisco, California on primary election night, 2016. Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Biden reorders primaries as he eyes his second term

In early December, President Joe Biden suggested a shift in the order in which states engage in the Democratic primaries. This seemingly minor change indicates a significant realignment in the Democratic party and a defensive play from the aging President. The proposed reorganization would shift…

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Campus Police Department revives student dorm patrol position
A picture of the Campus Police Department building, known to many students as the “Cop Shop.” Photo by Nat Kornblum.

Campus Police Department revives student dorm patrol position

To college students, campus should be a place to call home. One of the most important elements of feeling at home is feeling safe, a right which was threatened at New College during the last two school years as campus dealt with a series of…

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Survivors of Uvalde shooting seek $27 billion in lawsuit against local police
Following the Uvalde shooting, multiple sources were quick to address the seeming inaction and lack of coordination from the various officers at the scene. Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Survivors of Uvalde shooting seek $27 billion in lawsuit against local police

Months after the shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, survivors are seeking justice for their lost loved ones. A lawsuit against the 376 police officers, among other parties, who were present at the shooting hopes to bring $27 billion to the grieving plaintiffs. Students,…

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iPhone plant employees in China protest over delayed payments, poor quarantine conditions
Factory workers at the Foxconn iPhone manufacturing plant in Zhengzhou city in China have accused the company of delaying bonus payments and not providing quarantining employees on factory grounds with adequate food. Photo courtesy of Flickr.

iPhone plant employees in China protest over delayed payments, poor quarantine conditions

Nov. 23, on the tail-end of Black Friday and with the holiday season fast approaching, Foxconn—the world’s largest contract electronics maker—was hit with a riot led by hundreds of protesting factory workers. Chants from employees of,  “Give us our pay!” grinded the usual bustle characteristic…

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Los Angeles County on the verge of reinstating indoor mask mandates
Indoor mask mandates haven't seen widespread use in the U.S. since 2020, but LA County could soon be reverted back to precautions not used since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Los Angeles County on the verge of reinstating indoor mask mandates

Throughout the duration of the coronavirus pandemic, and especially over the past year, Florida has been defined by its increasingly lax COVID-19 policies and procedures. However, as respiratory illness continues to ravage the country this flu season, Los Angeles County on the opposite end of…

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Explaining the “Call for Letters” emails: how students can shape academic opportunities on campus
An exterior shot of Cook Hall, where the Provost's office is located. Photo taken by Sophia Brown.

Explaining the “Call for Letters” emails: how students can shape academic opportunities on campus

The end of each semester is marked by emails from the Provost’s Office to students, asking them to fill out Instructional Evaluations—to share their thoughts on the content of their courses and the helpfulness and accessibility of their professors. Students are highly encouraged to fill…

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Written in ink: New College students show off their tattoos
A tattoo depicting a Pacific Island girl. She also has tattoos, and she is holding four plumerias. Photo courtesy of Aimee Mendoza.

Written in ink: New College students show off their tattoos

The history of tattoos is estimated to date back to 5,000 BCE. Humans have always been fascinated with body art—especially when said art has the potential to become a permanent part of them. What could be a better way to honor something special to you…

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Coincidence? New Sarasota school board immediately moves to fire superintendent
A crowd of Sarasotans just outside the School Board chambers, hoping for a chance at entry during the first stages of Asplen's termination. Photo taken by Basil Pursley.

Coincidence? New Sarasota school board immediately moves to fire superintendent

A 4-1 decision by the newly instated Sarasota School Board resulted in the first stages of superintendent Brennan Asplen’s termination. Parents, teachers, students and concerned taxpayers swarmed the Sarasota School Board Building for the board’s special meeting on Nov. 29—many not even able to get…

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Saudi Arabia’s ambitious zero emissions plan: is it even possible?
The logo for NEOM or The Line, part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 reform. Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Saudi Arabia’s ambitious zero emissions plan: is it even possible?

The future progression of civilization seems to be on a quite linear path, or at least quite literally a linear city in Northwest Saudi Arabia with claims that it will run on one hundred percent renewable energy. NEOM, as the city is called, was unveiled…

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EQTA Office and Band Room undergo significant renovations
Ariella Russin poses with the newly organized jean couch, drumset, guitars, and keyboard. (Taken by Christine Wehner.)

EQTA Office and Band Room undergo significant renovations

Any student who has ever attended a Wall, participated in a student-run event with live music or who has attended a Senate Meeting with a functioning microphone has two different groups of people to thank: the Equipment Teaching Assistants (EQTAs) and the Band Room TAs.…

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Pediatricians are lobbying Biden to declare state of emergency over a triple wave of respiratory illness
Photo of hospital beds, courtesy of Pexels.com

Pediatricians are lobbying Biden to declare state of emergency over a triple wave of respiratory illness

Pediatricians across the country are petitioning the Biden administration to declare a state of emergency over the uptick in respiratory illness for patients admitted to U.S. hospitals. This request from hospitals and doctors lobbying the Biden administration is coming off the back of a triple…

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The truth behind the 99 cent tag
Graphic depicting "charm pricing" in effect at a local Publix. (Made by Chloe Rusek.)

The truth behind the 99 cent tag

Why is it when going into a grocery store, or even shopping through your favorite e-tailer, everything is priced $19.99, $49.99 or $99.99 rather than just rounding up to the next whole number? This isn’t just a coincidence, or subliminal government messaging, but actually has…

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How recent hurricanes have exacerbated red tide
Birds on the beach escaping the algal bloom's effects. (Courtesy of Po Henry.)

How recent hurricanes have exacerbated red tide

Hurricanes are one of the most lethal natural disasters that there are—and Florida is the hurricane capital of the United States. Two major storms hit Florida this hurricane season, and while both have been disasters, there is a quieter, subtler ecological nightmare that follows behind…

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New Executive Assistant to the President, Maura Galvao, shares a look into the position
College Hall (left) and Cook Hall (right), found at New College's bay front.

New Executive Assistant to the President, Maura Galvao, shares a look into the position

Every President, CEO or director has an assistant to keep them organized and on top of their daily, weekly and monthly duties. On Nov. 17, it was announced to the student body that Maura Galvao had accepted the position of Executive Assistant to the President…

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Four Winds reopens following a two-year closure
The Four Winds' newly remodeled interior entrance. (Photo taken by Brynn Halpern.)

Four Winds reopens following a two-year closure

After the closure of the Four Winds Cafe in 2020 and several attempts at repurposing and relaunching the space over the past two years, it finally formally reopened this semester on Nov. 11, not as a full-fledged cafe, but as an additional recreation and study…

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Getting into the New College yoga craze
A flier for Dr. Nick Gensmer's Yoga for Wellness. (Courtesy of the CWC.)

Getting into the New College yoga craze

New College students have been tapping into their spirituality and centering themselves thanks to the plethora of yoga classes available on campus: “Yoga for Wellness: A Vinyasa Flow Class” led by Counseling & Wellness Center (CWC) Postdoctoral Fellow and Psychologist Nick Gensmer, “A Yoga Class…

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A culture of combat: taking the gloves off of Fight Club
First-year Chris Rodriguez (left) and Fight Club Instructor and thesis student Barbara "Babs" Monteiro (right) practicing a combo of kickboxing strikes. (Credit: Mark McDermott)

A culture of combat: taking the gloves off of Fight Club

If one needs proof that every inch of the Novo is blessed with venom, they need to look no further than Fight Club. Beginning life as a Muay Thai kickboxing and Shotokan karate club in Fall 2021, Fight Club has given way to a constructive…

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Medical malpractice, America’s silent killer
Chart of medical malpractice claims and their causes from 2017 through 2021. Photo taken from JustPoint.

Medical malpractice, America’s silent killer

The day has come. It was a hard decision, but the only choice you have is to amputate. All was well when you arrived at the hospital and surgery went smoothly—the only problem is you were sure it was your right leg, not your left. …

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Trans Day of Remembrance creates space for reflection and community conversation on campus
A graphic from the email advertisement for this year's observance of the annual Trans Day of Remembrance.

Trans Day of Remembrance creates space for reflection and community conversation on campus

In a collaboration between Queery, Resident Advisors (RAs) for V Residence Hall or “Pride Hall,” the New College Student Alliance (NCSA) Diversity and Inclusion department and the Counseling & Wellness Center (CWC), a Trans Day of Remembrance event was held on Nov. 20 to allow…

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Songs You Should Hear: International Bangers Edition
A collage of album covers from this edition of Songs You Should Hear: International Bangers Edition.

Songs You Should Hear: International Bangers Edition

Music is a universally enjoyed pastime, passion and profession. Whether or not the lyrics are easily understood, music transcends language and communicates via emotions through melodies and notes. For this edition of Songs You Should Hear, take a journey through Europe, East Asia and Central…

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A snapshot of the newly-formed Photography Club
A student photographer from the New College days of old. Photo courtesy of the NCSA Archives.

A snapshot of the newly-formed Photography Club

With the large influx of students attending New College for the 2022-2023 academic year comes the pressure to add more flair to student life and the community. This year in particular has been abundant in the amount of new-found or re-emerging clubs that have entered…

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NCF observes Indigenous Awareness Month with trip to Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum
Cypress Billie near one of the many exhibits of Seminole culture that the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum has to offer. Photo taken by Brynn Halpern.

NCF observes Indigenous Awareness Month with trip to Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum

With Thanksgiving break approaching, it is essential to take a moment to recognize November as a month of indigenous celebration and commemoration. Whether that be in the form of research, activism or community events, each to the improvement of Native American recognition in the United…

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New polls indicate Trump wielding considerable lead over DeSantis for Republican nominee
Gov. Ron DeSantis and then-President Donald Trump meeting in 2018. Photo courtesy of Flickr.

New polls indicate Trump wielding considerable lead over DeSantis for Republican nominee

For Former President Donald Trump, history looks like it’s going to repeat itself. On Nov. 15, he announced his third consecutive run for the Presidency, hoping to overturn his Democratic usurper, President Joseph Biden. Much the same as his 2016 run, though, in front of…

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Tips and tricks for having an ESA on campus
Tassie, residential ESA, being adorable and stretching. Photo courtesy of London Weier.

Tips and tricks for having an ESA on campus

Emotional support animals (ESA) can be found all over New College’s campus, whether it’s a dog playing fetch on Z Green or a cat being carried around in a backpack—or perhaps you’ve even spotted students being pulled around on a skateboard by a dog? ESAs…

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Decades of air pollution and environmental racism have devastated the health of Newtown
Dust clouds kicked up by cars on Myrtle St., east of Booker High School. Photo courtesy of the Newtown Health Disparities & Environment study.

Decades of air pollution and environmental racism have devastated the health of Newtown

Residents of Newtown are all too familiar with the numerous recycling plants situated at the edges of their neighborhood. Some of these plants have been there for decades, and more have been added over the years as building construction has boomed in Sarasota. But while…

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Woman, Life, Freedom: Protestors fight to dismantle authoritarian state in Iran
[A sign held by a protestor which reads, "The Internet in Iran is down. They are killing protestors. Be their voice. Silence is violence." Image courtesy of Pexels.com

Woman, Life, Freedom: Protestors fight to dismantle authoritarian state in Iran

Iranian citizens are revolting against the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in what many are calling a feminist revolution. On Sept. 16, Mahsa “Zhina” Amini, a 22 year old Kurdish woman, died from her injuries after being beaten by morality police in Tehran…

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Nicole in Daytona: What we missed, and how climate change makes hurricanes more dangerous
A Wilbur-by-the-Sea beachside home was left on the edge of a sandy cliff after rough surf and storm surge caused by Tropical Storm Nicole washed away about 20 feet of sand. Picture credits to ClickOrlando.

Nicole in Daytona: What we missed, and how climate change makes hurricanes more dangerous

The New College student body remembers Nicole as a cloudy day in which they wondered why school was canceled. However Daytona, FL got the brunt of this rare November tropical storm-turned-hurricane. Landing on the east coast as a Category 1, it rampaged through the Volusia…

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Burying the past: Anthropology Lab TA accepting donations for COVID-19 time capsule
Time capsule from 2010 just outside the Anthropology and Public Archaeology Labs with a hand for size comparison. Photo Credit: Uzi Baram.

Burying the past: Anthropology Lab TA accepting donations for COVID-19 time capsule

Time capsules as we know them are one of many ways to preserve history and provide a lens into the lives of those who put it together. A snippet of time can be kept in a box—stowed away until it almost becomes the distant past—before…

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Visions of the Black Experience Film Festival: a window into black culture and intellectualism
Photo from 2nd Annual Visions of the Black Experience | Boxser Diversity Initiative.

Visions of the Black Experience Film Festival: a window into black culture and intellectualism

The Visions of the Black Experience Film Festival was a chance for New College students to discuss pressing issues revolving around African medical care, decolonizing education and African American historical figures. The festival was held on Nov. 10 through 12 at the Mildred Sainer Pavilion…

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College Hall centennial approaches: the rich history of NCF’s most iconic building
Two arched windows facing the long road leading to College Hall frame the open-gated entrance to the first floor of the building. Photo taken by Christine Wehner.

College Hall centennial approaches: the rich history of NCF’s most iconic building

College Hall has always been the flagship sight to see for students attending New College . In 1962—two years after New College was founded—Sarasota trustees were given the opportunity to purchase this aged building that is now an essential part of the campus. The now…

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Novo collegiate turned game developer: a sneak peak at Ferris Whitney’s video game “Mechsel”
Mechsel's title screen. Photo courtesy of Ferris Whitney.

Novo collegiate turned game developer: a sneak peak at Ferris Whitney’s video game “Mechsel”

Mechsel is a game you’ve never heard of, currently in the works by third-year Computer Science student Ferris Whitney.  Whitney, a computer hardware and retro console enthusiast, is working to make their mark on the indie gaming scene with their first video game. They started…

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A glimpse at Florida’s east coast before and after Hurricane Nicole
The restaurant Dos Amigos, located in Satellite Beach, is seen with a roof that had caved in due to Hurricane Nicole.

A glimpse at Florida’s east coast before and after Hurricane Nicole

Tropical Storm Nicole made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane early Thursday morning before reverted back to tropical storm status, wreaking havoc across Florida’s east coast. These photos represent Melbourne, Florida’s experience with Hurricane Nicole. All photos are courtesy of Aria Lockman. Photos taken Nov.…

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National Novel Writing Month at NCF
The Writing Resource Center's NaNoWriMo corkboard. (Courtesy of Isabelle Campesi.)

National Novel Writing Month at NCF

Ever had a literary passion project or idea so good, it should be a novel? If so, then National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) offers the opportunity to make this dream a reality. This challenging yet stimulating event being observed by the Writing Resource Center (WRC)…

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New College Retention Fund aims to help students stay enrolled
The entrance to Cook Hall, where many administrative offices are located. Photo by Nat Kornblum.

New College Retention Fund aims to help students stay enrolled

The unique academic contract system at New College has allowed many students to explore a wide variety of interests without the competitive stress of a grade point average (GPA). For others, it can be a financial aid nightmare. The Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory designation of New…

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Retail waste: the real horror of Halloween
An interior shot of a Spirit Halloween pop-up shop. (Courtesy of flickr.)

Retail waste: the real horror of Halloween

Every year, for a block of about six months, just about every shopping center and mall and grocery store is flooded with seasonal treats, from Halloween to Easter. This isn’t a bad thing in and of itself, but for retail employees, it’s started to serve…

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Right-wing extremist invades home of Speaker of the House
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and her husband Paul Pelosi photographed in 2011. (Courtesy of flickr.)

Right-wing extremist invades home of Speaker of the House

On Oct. 28, David DePape, suspected of being a far-right fringe theorist, broke into the home of Nancy and Paul Pelosi and, looking for Speaker Pelosi, found her husband and beat him with a hammer. The story is a strange one—and indicative of a broader,…

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Tensions increasing in Russia-Ukraine war signify possible U.S. involvement, nuclear war on the table
Graphic by Nickolas Steinig.

Tensions increasing in Russia-Ukraine war signify possible U.S. involvement, nuclear war on the table

The U.S-backed proxy war in Ukraine is reaching its fevered boiling point. As Russia continues to strike devastating blows to Ukrainian infrastructure, the military posture of the U.S. and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has become increasingly escalatory in nature, threatening to drag the…

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New warrant for arrest of Jon Cannon, suspect of last year’s on-campus break in
Cannon was initially arrested on Oct. 28, 2021 as the prime suspect of New College's most recent on-campus intrusion--but the jarring truth is that he's still at large without a formal conviction. Photo provided by former CPD Captain Kathleen Vacca.

New warrant for arrest of Jon Cannon, suspect of last year’s on-campus break in

There is nothing more important than having a safe, secure place to call home. For many New College students, home consists of the various dormitories spread across campus, but just as suddenly as they became home to students in August 2021, they would turn into…

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88 Tactical plans to expand to Tampa and Fort Lauderdale
Map of all future 88 Tactical locations. (Courtesy of official website.)

88 Tactical plans to expand to Tampa and Fort Lauderdale

Based in Omaha, Nebraska, the controversial gun club facility 88 Tactical has drawn attention from all over the country for the not-so-subtle use of neo-Nazi dog whistles. This is not an isolated bastion of white supremacy; the company has recently announced plans for expansion in…

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Previewing Stupid F*cking Bird: Chekhov’s “The Seagull” Twice Removed
Second-year Mars Frambles rocking out during rehearsal. Photo taken by Sophia Brown.

Previewing Stupid F*cking Bird: Chekhov’s “The Seagull” Twice Removed

Provided one pardons the French of an old Russian play in new clothes, there’s something to be said of thesis student and director KC Casey’s rendition of Aaron Posner’s Stupid Fucking Bird—a triumph two-and-a-half years in the making—that’s managed to capture the Novo imagination. Perhaps…

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Art, adversity and the creative thesis: Spotlight on Fall graduates
Above 74 Degrees: Temperature Dysregulation, OIl on Canvas. (Courtesy of Fae Borodiansky.)

Art, adversity and the creative thesis: Spotlight on Fall graduates

The New College thesis, although daunting, is a rite of passage into graduation. Students take their projects to creative depths in order to spread their message—some even add a highlight on trauma, disability or mental illness in order to connect personally to their thesis. Although…

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“Their blood is on your hands”: Florida Board of Medicine votes to ban gender-affirming care for minors
Image of trans activists in the hotel lobby where the meeting was held, staging a “die-in” in protest of the ruling. (Courtesy of Erin Reed.)

“Their blood is on your hands”: Florida Board of Medicine votes to ban gender-affirming care for minors

“Their blood is on your hands,” the crowd chanted as the Florida Board of Medicine announced it will only hear one last public comment regarding their ruling to ban gender-affirming care to minors.  It’s been a long time coming. In June, the Board revoked medicaid…

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‘Playing with fire’: Boston biolab creates mixed-strain COVID virus that killed 80% of humanized mice
Graphic made by Nickolas Steinig using Pexels.com.

‘Playing with fire’: Boston biolab creates mixed-strain COVID virus that killed 80% of humanized mice

This is the second article in a two-part series about the involvement of biolabs internationally in the creation and spread of the COVID-19 virus. Read part one here. Boston University researchers have been facing widespread backlash after DailyMail published an article on Oct. 17 revealing…

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Strong evidence emerges that COVID-19 was man-made and escaped from Wuhan biolab
Graphic created by Nickolas Steinig using Pexels.com.

Strong evidence emerges that COVID-19 was man-made and escaped from Wuhan biolab

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, government agencies and public health officials have tirelessly and forcefully asserted the origins of the COVID-19 virus to be naturalistic—an unfortunate, unpreventable consequence of biological evolution and epidemiological processes. Yet, a recent report titled An Analysis…

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Who owns the Internet? Elon Musk and the Twitter dilemma
Twitter's iconic app image. (Courtesy of flickr.)

Who owns the Internet? Elon Musk and the Twitter dilemma

This October, the world’s most “meme-savvy” supervillain bought online social media platform Twitter at the low, low price of $44 billion. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tesla Motors and SpaceX Elon Musk fired Twitter’s former CEO Parag Agrawal shortly after acquiring the company and immediately…

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Competitive basketball team to start at New College
Capture of the scrimmage at the first meeting of the club. (Taken by Chloe Rusek.)

Competitive basketball team to start at New College

New College basketball fans, get ready, because campus is getting its first ever competitive basketball team. Founded by third-year and Catalyst staff writer Isaac Tellechea, the basketball club is “as much of a team as we can be at New College.” Tellechea has aspirations for…

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Vincent Van Gogh vs. tomato soup: Climate activists protest by vandalizing works of art
Plummer and Holland kneeling with their hands glued to the wall beneath the Sunflowers painting they had vandalized just moments before. Photo courtesy of Anadolu Agency.

Vincent Van Gogh vs. tomato soup: Climate activists protest by vandalizing works of art

On Oct. 14, two members of the climate activist group Just Stop Oil entered the National Gallery in London and proceeded to empty two cans of Heinz Tomato soup onto the glass frame of Vincent Van Gogh’s 1888 Sunflowers painting. The pair followed their actions…

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He’s chess not that into you: Scandal and scorn in the world of professional chess
A recent scandal has rocked the world of professional chess, which thus far has culminated in a lawsuit. Photo courtesy of Pexels.com.

He’s chess not that into you: Scandal and scorn in the world of professional chess

Things are getting hot and heavy in the world of professional chess.   Chess world champion and grandmaster Magnus Carlsen was dethroned this September after nine years of being number one. Carlsen resigned, or surrendered, after the second move in an online match with successor 19-year-old…

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Asian American and Pacific Islander Student Alliance (AAPISA) returns after two years with fresh faces and initiatives
From left to right: first-years Ashley Petsanghan, Kyla Baldonado and Lianna Paton tabling in College Hall during Preview Day on Oct. 29. Photo taken by Gaby Batista.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Student Alliance (AAPISA) returns after two years with fresh faces and initiatives

For the first time in over two years, the Asian American and Pacific Islander Student Alliance (AAPISA) had a meeting on Oct. 28 spearheaded by first-year and President Kyla Baldonado. The research and outreach put into resurfacing the club could not have been done without…

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The New College Challenge Launch Week: who designs our future?
A crowd of community members gathered to watch President's Advisory Council member William "Bill" Dudley ('74) speak during the Launch Week brunch. Photo taken by Sophia Brown.

The New College Challenge Launch Week: who designs our future?

By Nat Kornblum & Sophia Brown The New College Challenge was first announced in Apr. 2022 as a single presentation about spaces and places on campus in the Sudakoff Conference Center. Now, six months later, the New College Challenge Launch Week reintroduced these questions to…

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New College Fashion Archive vol. 3: Fall fashion responds to Florida climate
First-year Adeline Harrell posing in a Florida fall-ready outfit. Photo submitted by Harrell.

New College Fashion Archive vol. 3: Fall fashion responds to Florida climate

Florida’s weather is known for its lack of dramatic seasonal changes in temperature and weather patterns. Being the closest continental state to the equator, Florida winter temperatures do not decrease nearly as much as anywhere north of the state. In November, so-called cold fronts in…

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NCF welcomes back Novo-turned-author Sofia Ali-Khan
Sofia Ali-Khan, second generation Pakistani immigrant and founding board member of the Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR).

NCF welcomes back Novo-turned-author Sofia Ali-Khan

Alumni have hundreds of gleaming New College students looking upon their successes enlightened. Real-life examples of how Novos are able to grow from their academic experiences at New College allow wisdom to transmit to currently enrolled students. Luckily, due to our tight-knit community, there are…

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A sit-down with Choose Democracy Now
A banner taken from the homepage of the Choose Democracy Now website.

A sit-down with Choose Democracy Now

New College students have always been disproportionately politically mobilized and involved. Luckily, this might not stay the case as a local Sarasota organization starts to take grassroots mobilization to the unexpected—the baby boomers. The Catalyst sat down with founder of Choose Democracy Now Dale Anderson,…

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Office of Outreach, Equity and Inclusion reach out to community to kickstart new DEI initiatives
The OOIE members from left to right: Syria Purdom, Yoleidy Rosario-Hernandez, Cecilia Linton and Crishuana Williams. (Courtesy of: Yoleidy Rosario-Hernandez.)

Office of Outreach, Equity and Inclusion reach out to community to kickstart new DEI initiatives

As new leadership makes their way into the Office of Outreach, Equity and Inclusion (OOIE), new initiatives for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work are incoming. Their work entails a multitude of responsibilities and their tour is the first step in creating a new beginning…

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Cheap, easy and delicious food recipes for college students
A typical New College Z dorm kitchen. (Courtesy of Isaac Tellechea.)

Cheap, easy and delicious food recipes for college students

For college students, food can be a part of the everyday routine that is often overlooked, due to leading busy lives occupied by school, work and extracurricular activities. At New College, this issue can also be exacerbated by the perceived lack of quality food available…

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Death, decay and the American shopping mall: How the retail apocalypse led to shopping centers’ extinction
Photo of the Sarasota Square Mall food court. Taken by Chloe Rusek.

Death, decay and the American shopping mall: How the retail apocalypse led to shopping centers’ extinction

Flashy stores, salted pretzels, coin-operated kid’s rides that looked like they were ready to come to life right off the metal grate where they sat. For many, this is what childhood memories of mall visits entailed, but what happened? Across North America, malls are quickly…

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FDA issues orders on Adderall shortage
An image of a tablet of prescription drug Adderall in the palm of a hand. (Courtesy of flickr.)

FDA issues orders on Adderall shortage

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has declared as of Oct. 12 that there is a shortage of the widely used Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medication Adderall.   Teva Pharmaceutical, the largest supplier of generic and branded Adderall, has attributed the shortage to three things: an…

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An overview of Charlie Crist’s policies: will he have what it takes to defeat DeSantis?
This isn't Crist's first bid for Florida Governor, but only time and the Florida voter will tell if this latest attempt will be a successful one. Photo courtesy of Flickr.

An overview of Charlie Crist’s policies: will he have what it takes to defeat DeSantis?

Current Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) seems to be a headlining topic in a variety of news outlets, podcasts and twitter threads—he seems to reside rent-free in everyone's head; but what about his opponent?  Democratic nominee for Florida Gov. Charlie Crist won the Florida Democratic…

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An uncharted future for NCF eSports
A desktop gaming setup with a monitor, RGB keyboard, and gaming chair Photo credit: Evgeniy Parilov at Dreamstime.com

An uncharted future for NCF eSports

As with all things New College, the campus’ past involvement in the college sports ecosystem has been unorthodox. New College’s stake in the competitive sports space is the burgeoning battlefield of competitive gaming (also known as eSports), but NCF eSports’ greatest opponent in the present…

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New Interim General Counsel weighs in on campus issues
Headshot of Interim General Counsel David Smolker, taken from his page on Linkedin.

New Interim General Counsel weighs in on campus issues

New College President Patricia Okker announced on Sept. 14 that the college's General Counsel and Pre-Law Advisor David Fugett would be resigning his position of four years after accepting an offer to become the General Counsel at Florida Polytechnic University. The General Counsel serves an…

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Vampire COUP 2022 a bloodcurdling success
The Gothic Ball surrounding the Banyan tree. Photo courtesy of Aria Lockman.

Vampire COUP 2022 a bloodcurdling success

Crowded venues, awesome decorations and lack of water? What more would you expect from New College’s first Center of the Universe Party (COUP) of the academic year? This semester’s Vampire COUP and the campus-wide Halloween party for the 2022-2023 COUP season was hosted by thesis…

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Criminal charge to medically large: How does Biden’s weed pardon really affect America?
Containers of cannabis sit, some being balanced on the Scales of Justice symbolizing the interaction between the two. Photo provided by Adobe Stock Images.

Criminal charge to medically large: How does Biden’s weed pardon really affect America?

In recent years, marijuana politics are making large leaps in becoming more modernized, shifting society towards a more relaxed and accepting view of the subject. On Oct. 6, President Joe Biden issued an executive order which pardons all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession.…

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2022-2023 flu season projected to be the worst one in years
A close-up shot of a health worker injecting a patient with a vaccine. (Credit: SHVETS Production)

2022-2023 flu season projected to be the worst one in years

In the past two years, flu rates had decreased due to mitigation strategies put in place for the coronavirus pandemic. But people should expect some changes for the 2022-2023 flu season, which won’t follow the same trend according to experts.  Australia’s most recent flu season…

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Student-led Garage Sale leads to COUP fundraising, community togetherness
Students not only used the Garage Sale to promote their wares, but as a chance to socialize and decompress following Hurricane Ian and the stressful reopening of campus. Photo taken by Brynn Halpern.

Student-led Garage Sale leads to COUP fundraising, community togetherness

The Garage Sale held on Oct. 8 in the Nook not only allowed students to support each other by purchasing discounted clothes, art, food and other goods from each other, but it ignited a sense of togetherness for New College students and allowed them to…

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Curtains close on Venice Theater, destroyed from Hurricane Ian
Exposed infrastructure of the Venice theater after the destruction of Hurricane Ian.

Curtains close on Venice Theater, destroyed from Hurricane Ian

In the violent wake of Hurricane Ian, the nearby Venice Theater was taken from the community. Twelve inches of rain, a collapsed fly loft and damaged electrical grids left the theater a molded framework skeleton and the crushed set of The Revolutionists—the production originally set…

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Pillars of sand: investigating the perpetually out-of-order emergency telephone poles
One of the emergency telephone poles (ETCs) ironically dismembered, with its conical head strung limply and swinging by remaining wires. Located on the west side of campus on a circular path near the College Hall and the bay. Photo courtesy of Bliss Jennings, caption courtesy of Nickolas Steinig.

Pillars of sand: investigating the perpetually out-of-order emergency telephone poles

Of the myriad abstract pillars that uphold an academic community, safety is an essential component. Unfortunately, the actual, corporeal pillars that uphold this value on campus—the cyan-smeared emergency telephone poles (ETCs)—have been out of commission for as long as any currently-enrolled students can recall, and…

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How is New College faring without “WOKE indoctrination”? A look at the effects of House Bill 7
A photo of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium adorned with the sign, "Protect Children / Support Parents," a manta that has guided much of his recent political career. But how well does it translate to the actual legislation DeSantis has put in place? Photo courtesy of Flickr.

How is New College faring without “WOKE indoctrination”? A look at the effects of House Bill 7

In July, after passing the Florida House and Senate and being signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, the heavily discussed “Stop WOKE” act or House Bill 7 (HB 7) was at last a written law.  New College professors were off contract at the time,…

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NCSA Co-chairs of Diversity and Inclusion release party theme guidelines
The inside of the Gender and Diversity Center (GDC), which provides New College students with resources on gender, race, religion and sexuality. Photo taken by Nat Kornblum.

NCSA Co-chairs of Diversity and Inclusion release party theme guidelines

Some of New College’s most beloved traditions are the weekly Walls—themed weekly parties that students vote on at the beginning of the semester—and the triannual Center of the Universe Parties (COUPs), which turn the entire residential side of campus into a themed party venue. Parties…

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From top to bottom, TYGKO’s music career has been all love
A shot of TYGKO, taken during a photoshoot for his latest, album, "Long Ass Breakup" (2021). Photo courtesy of TYGKO.

From top to bottom, TYGKO’s music career has been all love

Music has always been a way for people to connect with one another. Few things in this world have the ability to break down barriers and allow freedom of expression the way that music does. Concerts alone are enough proof of this concept. Going to…

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Annual RA Loveline brings innovative sex education to New College
Table covered in goodie bags of condoms and candies, assorted buttons and informational postcards. Photo taken by Gaby Batista.

Annual RA Loveline brings innovative sex education to New College

On Oct. 14 the annual RA Loveline event brought fun activities, raffle prizes and a panel of sexual health experts together to answer New College students’ questions and concerns on topics ranging from communication in relationships to bodily fluids. Lots of work was put into…

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New club Forward Faith inspires interfaith conversation and collaboration
Forward Faith's club logo, taken from the email announcement of their first club meeting.

New club Forward Faith inspires interfaith conversation and collaboration

On Sept. 11, Forward Faith—the new interfaith club at New College—met in HCL 8 for the first time. This meeting included introductions, welcomed individuals who seek to share their faith stories and some creative icebreakers to get the good vibes going. The two current officers…

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This year’s annual Native American Film Festival brings indigenous awareness through art and conversation
This year's annual Native American Film Festival ran from Sept. 9 to 15. Photo taken by Brynn Halpern.

This year’s annual Native American Film Festival brings indigenous awareness through art and conversation

Even during a stormy afternoon, the Native American Film Festival 2022 maintained an impressive audience. Audience members sat eagerly in the seats of Mildred Sainer Pavilion on September 9th to watch renowned artists such as Shaandiin Tome and Wilson Bowers showcase their talents. The highlight…

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Journalism’s unlikely hero: Andrew Callaghan and Channel 5
The thumbnail for Channel's 5 most popular YouTube video, "Miami Beach Spring Break." published on Apr. 11, 2021, and consisting of interviews with beachgoers in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Journalism’s unlikely hero: Andrew Callaghan and Channel 5

In 2022, receiving news has become such a streamlined process. In the past, people had to rely on newspapers, scheduled TV and radio broadcasts in order to stay up to date on what was going on in the world. Now, in a time where nearly…

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Spread your wings and fly with the Feral Pigeons, NCF’s birdwatching club
This is a mockingbird that was spotted on the walk the Feral Pigeons held on Sept. 13. Photo courtesy of Doug Hovland.

Spread your wings and fly with the Feral Pigeons, NCF’s birdwatching club

The Feral Pigeons —New College’s aptly-named birdwatching club— are ready to spread their wings and fly into the upcoming year bringing promises of more events and a welcoming community.  Formed in Spring 2022, the club consists of students interested in bird watching, also referred to…

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Professors Emily Carr and Avni Vyas bring poetry, tarot and creative writing out of the classroom and into the wild
Copies of Little God are available for students to check out at no cost in the Writing Resource Center (WRC). Photo taken by Sophia Brown.

Professors Emily Carr and Avni Vyas bring poetry, tarot and creative writing out of the classroom and into the wild

New College’s Creative Writing program is almost three years old at this point; spearheaded in Spring 2020 by Visiting Assistant Professor of Creative Writing Emily Carr, New College students have only recently been introduced to the world of experimental creative writing and poetry in practice.…

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Rekindling gunfire: Uvalde Memorial Park shooting four months after Robb Elementary
A photo of Uvalde Memorial Park - the locale of the shooting. (Credit: Cynthia McCrary)

Rekindling gunfire: Uvalde Memorial Park shooting four months after Robb Elementary

Still recoiling from the tragic destruction of innocent life at the Robb Elementary School shooting just four months before, Uvalde is beset by another shooting—running a calloused finger along wounds still struggling to heal. On Sept. 8 in the Uvalde Memorial Park—established fully in 1927…

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SYSH: DIY tunes from SRQ
This edition of SYSH features music from artists local to the Southwest Florida area. A link to an extended playlist featuring more music like this can be found at the bottom of this article. Photo courtesy of Basil Pursley.

SYSH: DIY tunes from SRQ

Sarasota is a very unassuming location—between beach-going tourists and snow birds just looking for nice weather, it may seem unlikely that there’s much culture to appeal to the average New College student.  But the eclectic, DIY sounds from local Sarasota artists prove otherwise—with interesting and…

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Student debt forgiveness: steps for social mobility
The Biden administration announced their three-part plan to cancel $10,000 of student debt for low- to middle-income borrowers on Aug. 24. Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Student debt forgiveness: steps for social mobility

Making waves across the nation for the most benign concession to the working class, President Joe Biden has started an initiative towards student loan forgiveness.   As opposed to the U.S. government's actions in the 2008 housing crisis, where ProPublica’s bailout tracker establishes that $245 billion…

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Beloved Metz employee Laura Testa passed away at 71
Table at Laura’s memorial, decorated with pictures, flowers and messages from students. Photo taken by Gaby Batista.

Beloved Metz employee Laura Testa passed away at 71

Laura Testa, a beloved member of the Metz staff, passed away late August at 71 years of age. A memorial service held for her on Sept. 14 in the Hamilton “Ham” Center proved that her legacy will be remembered as a tough-loving, passionate woman who…

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The Queen is dead. What next?
A chart illustrating the complicated line of succession to the monarchy. The line of succession is depicted by the red arrows, whereas clarifying family relations are depicted by black arrows. Graphic created by Nat Kornblum.

The Queen is dead. What next?

On Sept. 8, Buckingham Palace announced to a mournful crowd that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed away after 70 years of ruling. Her death occurred just two days after the election of new Prime Minister Liz Truss. With several major changes occurring in rapid…

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Newtown Alive trolley tours give visitors a glimpse into the histories of Newtown and Overtown
The “Siesta Trolley” one of Newtown Alive’s trolleys.

Newtown Alive trolley tours give visitors a glimpse into the histories of Newtown and Overtown

In 2016, a plan was proposed to Sarasota County by the North County Community Organization to document Newtown’s history, eventually forming Newtown Alive, an organization dedicated to recording and preserving the history of one of the oldest communities in Sarasota. Their work has overseen recordings…

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Mars rover finds organic matter
A photo of the Perseverance rover examining a sample. Photo taken from CNET.

Mars rover finds organic matter

NASA’s Perseverance Rover has found organic matter in rocks on Mars after just a year and a half on the planet. NASA held a press briefing on Thursday, Sept. 15 to discuss. Perseverance, nicknamed Percy, found the matter within an ancient river delta in the…

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CWC combats understaffing with alternative wellness options, community resources
The CWC has had issues with understaffing since last year, but this fall, they have plans to expand and support students with their limited staff as best they can. Photo taken by Brynn Halpern.

CWC combats understaffing with alternative wellness options, community resources

30 to 40% of students visit the Counseling and Wellness Center (CWC) at least once during an academic year, according to CWC Director Dr. Anne Fisher. The ability to treat those with psychological injury on campus is a resource that is both heavily used and…

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Self-care and survivors’ guilt: coping after Hurricane Ian
Even so recently after Hurricane Ian, students are still finding time and space on campus to continue to bond and relax as best they can in these stressful circumstances. Photo taken by Sophia Brown

Self-care and survivors’ guilt: coping after Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian has affected the lives of many Florida residents over the course of the last few weeks. Whether that be physical damage or emotional, it is vital to seek support. Even for individuals who weren't personally affected by this disaster, it takes a toll.…

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Radiant Communities film screening premieres on Oct. 6, showcasing student films and visions of Sarasota community
A still from the film Folded Island---a human hand delicately holding a sea urchin, human and nonhuman life co-mingling, the merging of two communities. Photo courtesy of Wes Kline.

Radiant Communities film screening premieres on Oct. 6, showcasing student films and visions of Sarasota community

Community is forever at the forefront of everyone’s mind at New College—what does community mean, how do we form community, what can we do to keep this community strong? And for good reason; the coronavirus pandemic and New College’s continued battle to increase enrollment and…

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Hurricane Ian wreaks havoc on college grounds: a photo gallery
This pine tree has fallen upon one of the college's most recognizable pieces of public art: a sculpture of three winding, abstract figures that are said to represent angels. No direct damage is apparent to the statues at this time.

Hurricane Ian wreaks havoc on college grounds: a photo gallery

Ian was one of the most devastating hurricanes to make landfall on the west coast of Florida in decades. Sarasota County estimates the debris left in its wake to be more than double what Irma left in 2017; New College was no exception to this…

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NCSA budget decreases amid larger campus budget issues
College Hall (left) and Cook Hall (right), found at New College's bay front.

NCSA budget decreases amid larger campus budget issues

The New College Student Alliance (NCSA) is one of the most important student resources on campus for many reasons, but it is also the biggest student employer on campus with paid positions including cabinet members, Resident Advisors (RAs) and Teacher’s Assistants (TAs). The NCSA pays…

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Despite disastrous flooding, Myakka community stays afloat: a photo gallery
Second-year Sam Worthington helps to maneuver the canoe through flood water in a family’s front yard. Cars in the driveway are trapped in deep water.

Despite disastrous flooding, Myakka community stays afloat: a photo gallery

While much of the Sarasota-Bradenton area has already made great strides in their hurricane recovery, not all parts of Florida have been so lucky. The Myakka River region is a prime example of the destructive power that a hurricane can wield—flooded roads, limited mobility, destroyed…

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Punta Gorda bird rescue faces devastation after the theft of 28 birds
A picture of a beautiful Blue and Gold Macaw named Nibbles at the Parrot Outreach Society. Photo courtesy of Aria Lockman.

Punta Gorda bird rescue faces devastation after the theft of 28 birds

Sometime between 2 and 3 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 13, an unidentified subject broke into the Parrot Outreach Society’s facility in Punta Gorda and stole 28 birds, ranging from the smallest Quaker Parrot to the largest Umbrella Cockatoo. Word spread fast among the Punta Gorda…

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Staying Safe in Sarasota
Debris caused by Hurricane Ian's path of destruction. (Courtesy of Justin DeLa.)

Staying Safe in Sarasota

For the people who rode out Hurricane Ian in New College’s beautiful home city of Sarasota, Tuesday, Sept. 27 was the unsettling calm before the storm Floridians know too well—it was the day for preparations. For me, that started with trips to get gasoline for…

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OP-ED: On sinking and swimming, a day in the life of an NCF student employee
The outside of the RA Resource Room, a space where RA regularly gather to perform their duties and where students can find them if they ever need assistance. Photo taken by Sophia Brown.

OP-ED: On sinking and swimming, a day in the life of an NCF student employee

Anybody who spends a week on the residential side of campus will quickly figure out that this school runs on student labor like America runs on Dunkin’. Between Teacher’s Assistants (TAs), Resident Advisors (RAs), Student Writing Assistants (SWAs), the New College Student Alliance (NCSA), admissions…

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Borderline Category 5 hurricane strikes Sarasota area after 70 Years of clear waters
Sarasota residents bought out all the water at the Walmart on Lockwood Ridge Road on Sept. 22. (Photo taken by Christine Wehner.)

Borderline Category 5 hurricane strikes Sarasota area after 70 Years of clear waters

Hurricane Ian was the first major natural disaster to hit the central west coast of Florida in 70 years. Residents of the respective counties were struck with panic, as this incident was something not usually on the radar for the area. In contrast, citizens of…

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New Music New College prepares to kick off its 2022-2023 season
This year's NMNC season features world-premiere concerts, musicians of color, opportunities for student performers and so much more. Photo taken from the NMNC 2022-2023 brochure.

New Music New College prepares to kick off its 2022-2023 season

New College students, do you want the opportunity to experience experimental music for free? Music is present in all aspects of life, so it is something worthy of exploring—and New Music New College (NMNC), produced and currently directed by Ron Silver, is a perfect venue…

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Hurricane Ian vs. Hello Again Books: how one small business survived the storm
A look into Hello Again Books’ charming interior. (Courtesy of MerryBeth Burgess.)

Hurricane Ian vs. Hello Again Books: how one small business survived the storm

Native Floridians are known for their nonchalant attitude regarding hurricanes. Oftentimes, they understand that hurricanes are unpredictable and simply assume that the storm will pass by. However, this year, that was not the case: Hurricane Ian ravaged the west coast of Florida before bringing more…

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Central Florida reeling after Hurricane Ian
A car submerged in mud in Maitland, Florida, after Hurricane Ian. (Photo credit to Matt Kornblum.)

Central Florida reeling after Hurricane Ian

While much of Southwest Florida recovers from the devastating impact of Hurricane Ian, central Florida is grappling with severe flooding.The hurricane, which touched down in central Florida on the morning of Sept. 29, brought with it high winds and about 20 inches of rain. One…

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Hurricanes Fiona and Ian test government and federal responses to disasters
Flooded roads in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona. (Courtesy of Rocio Ramirez-Castro.)

Hurricanes Fiona and Ian test government and federal responses to disasters

Throughout the years, the Gulf of Mexico has seen many hurricanes and tropical storms make their way through the waters. Two historic hurricanes made landfall this past month, leaving trails of devastation in their midst: Hurricane Fiona in the Caribbean and Atlantic Canada in mid-September…

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Hurricane Fiona leaves path of destruction through the Caribbean and Canada
Gas station in Puerto Rico days before Hurricane Fiona hit, already emptied of gas and diesel. (Courtesy of Rocío Ramirez-Castro)

Hurricane Fiona leaves path of destruction through the Caribbean and Canada

On Sept. 18 a tropical depression turned into Hurricane Fiona which made landfall in the Southwest region of Puerto Rico with maximum winds of 85 miles per hour (mph) that same day. As a Category 1 hurricane, the slow-moving storm left citizens in Puerto Rico,…

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Evacuating Sarasota: Hurricane Ian brings turbulent times
Sarasota’s staple zoological attraction Jungle Gardens’ sign toppled during Hurricane Ian’s brush with the city. (Courtesy of Isaac Tellechea.)

Evacuating Sarasota: Hurricane Ian brings turbulent times

As someone who has lived in Sarasota his whole life, evacuation is not the first thing I think of when I hear a hurricane is on its way to Florida. For years, hurricane warnings and severe storm alerts have been issued for the area, which…

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Students report feeling unsafe on campus and burned out in class following Hurricane Ian
Plant debris in the Nook on Oct. 2---branches blocking the sidewalk and dangling half-suspended. (Photo taken by Sophia Brown)

Students report feeling unsafe on campus and burned out in class following Hurricane Ian

After New College’s Communications department announced to the campus community on Sept. 30 that full business operations would resume on Oct. 3 and that classes would resume Oct. 4 in the wake of Hurricane Ian, many who had evacuated beyond the Sarasota-Bradenton area were left…

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Dietary restrictions and mobility aids: students find accessibility in Ham lacking
The quality of food in the Hamilton "Ham" Center is a common complaint among students dating back years and years. But for many, it can be literally, physically and medically impossible to digest.

Dietary restrictions and mobility aids: students find accessibility in Ham lacking

Putting yourself in the shoes of someone with a disability can be challenging for an able-bodied person. However, ensuring normality and comfortable conditions for individuals with disabilities is crucial to creating a safe learning environment on campus. For every one that frequents the Hamilton Center…

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Sarasota school board overrun with far-right rhetoric, here’s how NCF students can make a change
Photo of the Sarasota Polling location closest to New College, located at Light of The World International Church directly across from Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Less than 5 minutes away from campus. Photo courtesy of Basil Pursley.

Sarasota school board overrun with far-right rhetoric, here’s how NCF students can make a change

Nov. 8 is the national midterm election–a date that New College students have the unique opportunity to make democratic change in a county which has been making national headlines.  The GOP Sarasota school board candidates won by a relative landslide during the Aug. 23rd primary…

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The past is closer than you think: a review of God’s Country at Venice Theater
Megan Hendrick (foreground), Brennan Reisinger, and Jeremy Guerrero-Heideman. Heideman portrays Robert Mathews, founder of The Order. Hendrick, who plays multiple roles in the play, is shown here as Mathews' girlfriend, Zillah. Reisinger plays their son. Photo courtesy of the Venice Theater press release.

The past is closer than you think: a review of God’s Country at Venice Theater

It may feel like the past, yet, there is still so much hate in the present. Venice Theater presents God’s Country (1988) written by Steven Dietz which follows the story of the white supremacist group from the 1980s, The Order, that commit crimes to fund…

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Let’s Go Brandon: How Democrats have revived their midterm chances
With Midterms approaching and much of the Great Plains region up for grabs, a new Blue Wave could be sweeping the country soon. Photo courtesy of Caspian Rizzo.

Let’s Go Brandon: How Democrats have revived their midterm chances

In July 2022, President Joe Biden looked like a fish out of water. Approval had shot down to the mid-30s, the last major piece of Democratic legislation was shot down by Sen. Manchin (D) months prior and a notorious CNN poll showed that 75% of…

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SAUCE Associate Director Jada McNeill leaving NCF after four years
Jada McNiell at the National Conference on Citizenship in 2019. Photo courtesy of Jada McNiell.

SAUCE Associate Director Jada McNeill leaving NCF after four years

End of September marks Associate Director of Student Activities and Campus Engagement (SAuCE), Jada McNeill’s last days at New College. During her time at New College, McNeill organized and headed many events focused on diversity and inclusion. At a predominantly white institution (PWI), McNeill’s work…

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Coffee Hotspots (though some like it cold): Walkable, locally-owned coffee near campus
A row of patrons enjoy the view of Tamiami trail from their seats at the Shelf Indulgence hightops. All photos courtesy of Mark McDermott.

Coffee Hotspots (though some like it cold): Walkable, locally-owned coffee near campus

College is costly, but a running start in the morning doesn't have to be. Sarasota is dotted with a variety of local businesses ranging from curio shops to cafes. Many of these businesses are just within reach of the New College campus, given one doesn't…

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A tale of two clubs: from idea to first meeting
The cultural picnic partially hosted by POCU on March 14, 2022. (Courtesy of Gabriella Batista.)

A tale of two clubs: from idea to first meeting

According to the Clubs and Organizations page on the New College of Florida website, “If you don’t see what you’re looking for, you can create [a club]!” This fact, that one student can create any club they want, is one of the selling points of…

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Sarasota rent continues to climb, leaving alums stranded
This 300 square foot studio apartment in Sarasota goes for $725 a month. Photo credit to interviewee Nick.

Sarasota rent continues to climb, leaving alums stranded

Sarasota is making a name for itself as one of the most unaffordable places to live in the state as rent across the country continues to climb. As New College students who remain local seek housing after graduation, they struggle to acquire affordable and attainable…

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The Sunflower Program makes a reappearance in airports
Graphic in Charlotte Douglas International Airport informing passersby of the Sunflower Program. (Courtesy of Jill Wehner.)

The Sunflower Program makes a reappearance in airports

Created in 2016 by Gatwick Airport, the sunflower — usually accompanied with a green background — indicates that a person has a hidden disability and is a discreet sign that a person may need extra assistance. The founder of this symbol and cause is the…

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Jane Bancroft Cook Library implements a new system for students
A screenshot of the home library page showing the available resources including the Search Catalog tool, NCF databases and USF databases. (Photo courtesy of Aria Lockman.)

Jane Bancroft Cook Library implements a new system for students

There are many changes happening behind the scenes in the Jane Bancroft Cook Library which are impacting students’ access to certain resources, as well as giving them new ones. In the past, New College of Florida (NCF) has had a joint access agreement with the…

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Crowded dorms, decrepit conditions, shrinking staff: The New College housing dilemma
The dirty, deteriorating wall of McMahon's Pei 1 room. Photo taken on Sept. 13, courtesy of Joey McMahon.

Crowded dorms, decrepit conditions, shrinking staff: The New College housing dilemma

By Nickolas Steinig & Sophia Brown New College has welcomed its largest incoming class since 2016 this fall, which is fantastic news for an administration which has long since struggled to increase enrollment for a variety of reasons. However, what this “good news” means for…

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DeSantis’s diversity survey met with backlash
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at the 2021 Student Actions Summit. (Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore.)

DeSantis’s diversity survey met with backlash

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s “diversity” survey was first introduced in Sept. 2021 in an attempt to receive more information regarding “intellectual freedom and viewpoint diversity,” earning it the nickname of  the “diversity survey” within Florida institutions—and the results reveal a lack of participation from students,…

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OP-ED: The transition to New College, frat boy to Marxist
Maybe the real New College was the friends we made along the way. Taken at the Kava Social Club on karaoke night, photo courtesy of Ava Dold.

OP-ED: The transition to New College, frat boy to Marxist

“Oh, they do things differently here.” That is the immediate response to most questions when asked about experiences at New College. “Different” is what prefaces New College: a public honors college with less than 1,000 students simply isn’t the norm for college experiences.  That stark…

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Students pass vote of no confidence against VP of Student Affairs Marjorie Thomas in response to Summer 2022 Refresh plan and alleged inappropriate behavior
Students with various handmade posters gathered outside of Thomas' office on the morning of May 12 in order to protest both their lack of involvement or consent in the proposed Summer 2022 Refresh plan, and the allegations made against Thomas.

Students pass vote of no confidence against VP of Student Affairs Marjorie Thomas in response to Summer 2022 Refresh plan and alleged inappropriate behavior

An Emergency Senate Meeting was called on May 11—the final day of classes for the semester—by New College Student Alliance (NCSA) President and second-year Grace Keenan, where details of a Summer 2022 Refresh Plan orchestrated by Vice President of Student Affairs S. Marjorie Thomas were…

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Reinventing the role of NCSA President: 10 Questions with Sofia Lombardi
A photo of now-NCSA President second-year Grace Keenan (left) and former NCSA President third-year Sofia Lombardi (right). At the time this photo was taken (Sept. 2021) Lombardi was President and Keenan was Chief of Staff.

Reinventing the role of NCSA President: 10 Questions with Sofia Lombardi

Between the myriad of unpredictable, confusing and oftentimes frightening developments on New College’s campus over the past two years—the rise of the coronavirus pandemic, several on-campus intrusions, various legislation in Tallahassee that would have threatened the integrity of New College and its students and the…

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A look at Sarasota’s best bike trails
Biking can give students in the Sarasota area over the summer the chance to explore the city. Photo courtesy Cole Zelznak. A live stream of the Sept. 30 Critical Mass, in which dozens of student bikers participated, can be found on the NCF Catalyst Facebook.

A look at Sarasota’s best bike trails

Summer is just around the corner—and for students remaining on campus or who live in the area, this can mean having the time to explore what Sarasota and Bradenton have to offer without classes to keep in mind. One of the best ways to explore…

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The PRIDE! Be Fabulous Arts Festival is bringing queer music and art to Sarasota
The PRIDE! Be Fabulous festival offers students a break from the stresses of finals with the opportunity to engage with local queer artists and musicians. Photo courtesy of Shannon Fortner.

The PRIDE! Be Fabulous Arts Festival is bringing queer music and art to Sarasota

The PRIDE! Be Fabulous festival is an annual arts event meant to amplify the voices of queer artists, especially locally to the Sarasota area. The event will take place on May 12 through 14 throughout the Boulevard of The Arts. Previously known as the Harvey…

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Kaylie Stokes to phase out of position at New College after 10 years
Kaylie Stokes pictured speaking to students in the Student Success Center (SSC). Photo courtesy of Communications and Marketing.

Kaylie Stokes to phase out of position at New College after 10 years

The end of this semester marks Kaylie Stokes’ last day as a full-time employee as the Associate Director of Student Success. As a New College alum of Social Sciences and a beloved New College staff member, Stokes maintained many positions during her time as a…

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Vendor unaffiliated with New College sprays overpass jasmine with Roundup
The overpass jasmine following the unauthorized use of Roundup. Photographed on May 4.

Vendor unaffiliated with New College sprays overpass jasmine with Roundup

On Apr. 11 at approximately 9 a.m., a work crew sprayed the Confederate Jasmine vine on the overpass connecting the residential and academic sides of campus, with an at-the-time unidentified chemical in an incident lasting about 15 to 20 minutes. Students quickly took notice and…

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Why New College students only received half of their requested money in the latest round of CARES Act funding
During previous waves of CARES Act funding, students have been able to request up to $2,000 dollars. This most recent wave, however, not only resulted in students get less than what was requested, but was also the final wave of CARES Act funding at New College.

Why New College students only received half of their requested money in the latest round of CARES Act funding

The most recent wave of CARES Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief funding distributed at New College on Apr. 7—an act passed by Congress in 2020 and which allotted $2.2 trillion to provide direct aid to those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic—was met with a lot…

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Dance Collective Spring 2022 Showcase: the rise of a new administration team
Student dancers from the Dance Collective Spring Showcase posing in their final formation.

Dance Collective Spring 2022 Showcase: the rise of a new administration team

As chills went down the dancers’ backs as they waited backstage, the lights in the Mildred Sainer Auditorium faded to black as the music was queued in the control room and ready to play. The Dance Collective Administrators moved around with the dancers, keeping them…

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The return of Gatsby
Gatsby party 2019. (Image courtesy of Megan Ballard.)

The return of Gatsby

The 2021-2022 academic year at New College has been characterized by the return of a variety of New College traditions and fixtures of student life, including Walls, Center of the Universe Parties (COUPs), Grad Cruise, Ringling Underground and, eventually, hopefully, the Four Winds Cafe. While…

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How to move out efficiently
Stock image of friends having fun in a Dort dorm. (Image courtesy of New College website.)

How to move out efficiently

For most Novos on campus, the next couple of days will be spent frantically packing up and trying to make it look like a dorm hasn’t been lived in for the past nine months. For some, this can be stressful—packing up everything brought from home…

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OP-ED: Department of Homeland Security announces the creation of “Disinformation Governance Board”: no, that’s not a good thing
Executive Director of the Disinformation Governance Board Nina Jankowicz. (Image courtesy of Wikipedia.)

OP-ED: Department of Homeland Security announces the creation of “Disinformation Governance Board”: no, that’s not a good thing

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), one of the most noxious abusers of civil liberties among the many arms of the U.S. Security State, has recently announced the formation of a “Disinformation Governance Board” meant to target and combat “internal activities related to disinformation…

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The Cats and Dogs of Campus
Bean, who lives with thesis student Hannah Nations, gets up close and personal during this photoshoot.

The Cats and Dogs of Campus

As the semester comes to a close, come check out the Catalyst’s end-of-the-year feature on the many cats and dogs that live with their caretakers on campus. These are service or emotional support animals (ESAs) allowed to reside with their owners due to the medical…

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Grocery Shuttle initiative aims to thwart hunger on campus
Students Evan Teal and Sarah Darancou get food from the salad bar in Hamilton Center, circa 2017. (Photos by Michala Head)

Grocery Shuttle initiative aims to thwart hunger on campus

Access to food is a serious topic, especially at New College. Without a car, getting groceries is practically impossible without a friend to drive you or the money to spend on delivery services. The on-campus mandatory meal plan has garnered considerable criticism, and the limited…

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A practical risk assessment of non-fentanyl synthetic opioids
ISO is reported to be both more dangerous than fentanyl, and more difficult to test for. Photo courtesy of Ridgeview Hospital.

A practical risk assessment of non-fentanyl synthetic opioids

Overdoses from fentanyl and other synthetic opioids define the third wave of the opioid epidemic, and the coronavirus pandemic has only made it worse. Fentanyl is primarily responsible, but non-fentanyl synthetic opioids (NSOs) pose unique challenges. Recently, a new NSO, isotonitazene (ISO), was found in…

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[New] Tech_Volume 2: Nintendo Switch Sports and Overwatch 2 Beta
This second edition of [New] Tech brings you reviews of two of the latest games on the market: Nintendo Switch Sports and Overwatch 2 Beta. Photo courtesy of Pexels.

[New] Tech_Volume 2: Nintendo Switch Sports and Overwatch 2 Beta

In this second edition of [New] Tech we cover some [New] developments in gaming, with the update and re-release of Wii Sports on the Nintendo Switch and the beginning of the Overwatch 2 Beta.  Nintendo Switch Sports The release of Wii Sports has been long…

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Kadampa Meditation Center: nearby hidden gem offers meditation, art and tea
Gen Kelsang Dorje conducting a guided meditation in the temples main meditation hall during a Sunday class.

Kadampa Meditation Center: nearby hidden gem offers meditation, art and tea

A peaceful and lively chatter fills up the vibrant and spacious rooms of the Kadampa Meditation Center. Interested Sarasota locals and Buddhist monks radiating kindness sit intimately, discussing their daily lives, hopes and struggles over the freshly brewed tea provided by the in-house cafe. As…

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“Tangled” in New Prom: An aesthetic retrospective
Candles and roses rested as centerpieces of the tables adorned with purple flowers and crumbled up “Wanted” posters featuring Tangled’s prominent character Flynn Rider.

“Tangled” in New Prom: An aesthetic retrospective

After two years of the coronavirus pandemic blocking students from hosting and attending large public events, New Prom finally returned to campus in all its glory, this time sporting themes based off the Disney film Tangled. Leading up to Apr. 23, many bought dresses and…

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DeSantis challenges Disney: what does that mean for Floridians?
Ron DeSantis depicted in front of Disney's EPCOT. (Image courtesy of author Caspian Rizzo.)

DeSantis challenges Disney: what does that mean for Floridians?

On Apr. 22, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, rising Republican star (and Catalyst regular) fired the first opening salvo in what might become an extended legal battle between his administration and the Walt Disney Corporation by dissolving the Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID), essentially a county…

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New College faces a wave of phishing scams: here’s how to spot, report and defend against them
Emails are an integral part of every New College student, faculty and staff member's academic and professional lives---but phishing scams can present hidden dangers in this most mundane of tasks.

New College faces a wave of phishing scams: here’s how to spot, report and defend against them

Phishing—that is, a cybercrime where a target is contacted by email, phone or text message by someone pretending to be a legitimate institute or person in order to trick the target into revealing personal information, such as passwords or credit card details—is hardly a new…

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Email miscommunication costs several students their CARES Act funds
Up until this month, New College students have been able to receive up to $2,000 upon request as part of the CARES Act.

Email miscommunication costs several students their CARES Act funds

On Mar. 30, the Student Transcripts and Accounts Records Team (START) Center, the new multi-hyphenate agency billed as the “student-facing hub for Finance & Accounting, Financial Aid and the Registrar’s office,” released a weekly newsletter email. Near the bottom of the article was a small…

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Grad Cruise to set sail for the first time since 2019
A graduating class circa 1980 participating in Grad Cruise. Photo courtesy of the NCSA Archives.

Grad Cruise to set sail for the first time since 2019

A Graduation Cruise interest form has recently been making its way around the New College emails, surveying how many students would want to attend a newer and slightly different version of the Novo tradition.  The Sunset Graduation Cruise (or Booze Cruise for those that are…

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South Africa declares state of disaster following fatal flooding
KwaZulu-Natal has been subject to fatal floods for a little over two weeks at the time of this article's publication. Photo courtesy of Flickr.

South Africa declares state of disaster following fatal flooding

Since Apr. 11, rampant rains and heavy flooding have been tearing up the east coast of South Africa, devastating the province of KwaZulu-Natal. As of the time of this article’s publication, the confirmed death toll has risen to 448 people, with about 48 people missing…

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Textbooks rejected by the Florida Department of Education for including Critical Race Theory and Social Emotional Learning
71% of textbooks for grades K-5 were designated to not be up to Florida's standards. Photo courtesy of Arthur Krijgsman on Pexels.

Textbooks rejected by the Florida Department of Education for including Critical Race Theory and Social Emotional Learning

The Florida Department of Education (DOE), under Gov. Ron DeSantis, announced on Apr. 15 that they have rejected 41% of the submitted text books for K-12 math curriculum citing Critical Race Theory (CRT), inclusion of Common Core and addition of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in…

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A new wave of McCarthyism and censorship quietly sweeps the country
An altered image of an anti-Russian movie poster. Photo courtesy of history.com.

A new wave of McCarthyism and censorship quietly sweeps the country

In the United States, we ever so proudly laud our achievements with civil liberties. Guarantees to the freedom of press, speech and equality of treatment are our blood-bone. The very fabric of democratized society is stone carved and enameled upon unalienable rights. Yet, as the…

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Etsy sellers organize week-long strike to protest 30% increase in transaction fee
Etsy is an e-commerce company with an emphasis on handmade or vintage goods and supporting independent artists. However, Etsysince the transaction fee has gone up 30%. Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Etsy sellers organize week-long strike to protest 30% increase in transaction fee

On Apr. 11, approximately 20,000 Etsy sellers decided to go on a week-long strike due to recent changes in transaction rates. Since 2005, the platform’s original transaction fee was 5%; however, the rate has gone up by 30% to create a transaction fee of 6.5%.…

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How America became submerged in an invisible opioid epidemic
A graphic from Project Opioid Tampa Bay, showing lethal dosages of heroin, fentanyl and carfentanil.

How America became submerged in an invisible opioid epidemic

Since 1999, more than 500,000 people have died from opioid overdoses in the U.S.—the victims of America’s opioid epidemic. In the 2010s, state and local governments filed thousands of lawsuits against companies that make and distribute the drugs seeking to hold them accountable. A handful…

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Climate change education takes puppet form in The Fog
“Welcome to Icy Land” sign on the set of The Fog. Photo courtesy of Nancy Nassif.

Climate change education takes puppet form in The Fog

New College experiences a slew of productions from the likes of Performance at New College (PANC) and, starting up again this semester, the Windmill Theater Company throughout each academic school year. After two and a half years of collaboration, co-writers, co-directors, co-producers and New College…

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New College Of Florida Quizbowl Team makes it to nationals
This year's national college tournament took place at the University of Minnesota from Apr. 9 to 10. Photo courtesy of Adrienne Hill.

New College Of Florida Quizbowl Team makes it to nationals

On Apr. 10, the New College of Florida Quizbowl team continued its impressive legacy by competing on the national level, having already made it past regionals.  “Go ahead, go to the trophy cases at the back of Ham Center, and look for all the trophies…

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Recapping the VIP Weekend and Admitted Students Day
This year's Admitted Students Day let future Novos mingle at the bayfront and get acquainted with some of the clubs and services on campus.

Recapping the VIP Weekend and Admitted Students Day

On Apr. 7, the New College of Florida hosted 25 admitted students of color for the Valuing Inclusivity Program (VIP) Weekend. These hopeful future Novo Collegiates were able to shadow different students and get a firsthand account of student life in the classes available—one of…

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Earth Day Mulberry Festival aims to connect students with each other and the earth
The Earth Day Mulberry Festival will be on Apr. 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Caples campus.

Earth Day Mulberry Festival aims to connect students with each other and the earth

On Apr. 22, the Council of Green Affairs (CGA) is hosting the Earth Day Mulberry Festival at the Caples campus. The festival will begin at 5 p.m. and end at 8 p.m.—the time in between decorated with mulberries, hammocks, live music, gardening, painting, yoga, mysticism,…

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Families of transgender teens sue the state of Alabama over new laws
This recent legislation in Alabama mirrors Florida's own recently-voted upon "Don't Say Gay" bill, which was also met with community protest.

Families of transgender teens sue the state of Alabama over new laws

Two families with transgender children along with two physicians sued the state of Alabama on Apr. 12 in opposition to the state's laws which will make it a felony for doctors to issue any sort of treatment for transitioning medically—including hormones, puberty blockers and gender-affirming…

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Psychedelic Research panel brings legendary alums to campus to talk harm reduction and New College lore
From left to right: Valerie Mojeiko, Nirvan Mullick ('97), Rick Doblin ('87), Mitchell Gomez ('07), Eva Dillon and Allen Hopper ('88).

Psychedelic Research panel brings legendary alums to campus to talk harm reduction and New College lore

As COVID-19 restrictions have begun to lift across the state and the early stages of the New College Challenge underway, there has been a resurgence of interest from students on campus in reconnecting with New College’s bizarre history and traditions, as both a “return to…

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New Directions Short Play Festival gives student directors the spotlight
The four New Directions short plays will be shown in the Black Box Theater on Apr. 29 and 30 at 7:00. Photo courtesy of Cooper Smalley. Posters designed by Kyle Miller, K.C. Casey, Cooper Smalley and Pluto Boll.

New Directions Short Play Festival gives student directors the spotlight

New College’s Theater, Dance and Performance Studies (TDPS) program usually offers four shows each academic year: one fall and one spring theatrical production, one dance performance piece and an Independent Study Project (ISP) show. This semester, however, is noticeably different. Instead of a full-fledged faculty-sponsored…

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Florida legislature to vote on DeSantis’ redistricting map
DeSantis' proposed redistricted congressional map. (Image courtesy of WUSF Public Media.)

Florida legislature to vote on DeSantis’ redistricting map

On Mar. 29, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed recently proposed congressional map CS/SB 102—which would have redistricted the state’s congressional districts in accordance with the 2020 United States Decennial Census—and that had already been approved by the state’s legislature. In a veto transmittal letter, DeSantis…

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How the Spring 2022 NCSA Presidential Elections revealed a troubling trend of overlooking students of color
Headshots of NCSA President-elect and second-year Grace Keenan, and NCSA Vice President-elect Xabier Rezola. Photos courtesy of themselves.

How the Spring 2022 NCSA Presidential Elections revealed a troubling trend of overlooking students of color

On Apr. 10, New College Student Alliance (NCSA) Election Supervisor and third-year Jack Sobel announced who would be New College's next Student President and Vice President, along with who would be filling the additional cabinet positions—including the new positions of Senate President and Senate President…

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Manatee county schools have over 100 vacant positions
Sarasota-Manatee unemployment has dipped below 3%. Photo courtesy of Pixels.

Manatee county schools have over 100 vacant positions

Over the course of the coronavirus pandemic, New College has seen dozens of administrative positions left vacant as employees seek opportunities elsewhere. But this trend isn’t exclusive to college grounds; Manatee County schools have a massive deficit in labor, with over 100 positions in dire…

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White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki planning to hop the fence and join MSNBC
Jen Psaki conducting an interview. Photo courtesy of Flickr.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki planning to hop the fence and join MSNBC

In the grand theater and spectacle of what we loosely refer to as the U.S. government, sensational television personalities have been known to undergo swift conversions from relatively innocuous goobers trained in the art of bravado, bluster and fluff, to fully-armored statesmen dawning eagle-clad regalia…

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Early stages of New College Challenge pose a bold initiative for campus renovations
From left to right: President Patricia Okker, Vice President of Student Affairs S. Marjorie Thomas, Professor David Brian and Strategic Advisor Marty Hylton, pictured on stage at the Sudakoff Conference Center.

Early stages of New College Challenge pose a bold initiative for campus renovations

On Mar. 18 during a Catalyst interview, President Patricia Okker alluded to something called the “New College Challenge,” described it at the time as a wide-scale renovation of New College’s spaces and places, and promised to release more information at a later date. That date…

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Effects of microplastics on human health: an exigent question with few answers
CNN estimates that, globally, we ingest 5 grams of plastic every week, the equivalent of a credit card. Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Effects of microplastics on human health: an exigent question with few answers

There is a lot of plastic in the world. Since 1950, more than 7,800 million tonnes of plastic have been produced, generating 6,300 million tonnes of waste, of which approximately 9% was recycled, according to Life. Plastic waste has its own host of issues, but…

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Sarasota Film Festival screens refreshing film “Down with the King”
Advertisement for the 2022 Sarasota Film Festival. (Image courtesy of Sarasota Film Festival official web site.)

Sarasota Film Festival screens refreshing film “Down with the King”

The Sarasota Film Festival is a fairly young event, only coming to fruition in its current form as recently as Jan. 1999. The only wide-scale film festival in the city beforehand was the Sarasota French Film Festival, which only ran for seven years until its…

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The United States and Venezuela’s ever-evolving relationship
The American and Venezuelan flags together. (Image courtesy of flickr.)

The United States and Venezuela’s ever-evolving relationship

Since Jan 23. 2019, the United States and Venezuela have not had any official diplomatic ties to one another. The two countries have had a tumultuous relationship over the years, especially in the last two decades, making recent commercial negotiations between the two regarding crude…

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NMNC New Fest brings experimental music and student compositions to campus
A headshot of Stephen Miles, provided by himself.

NMNC New Fest brings experimental music and student compositions to campus

The premiere of this year’s New Music New College (NMNC) New Fest started on Apr. 4 and is set to run through Apr. 24. Student composers and professional performers have come together to participate in both artist’s conversations and full performances of their self-composed pieces.…

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Jackson vs. the New Right: how a routine shift in the Supreme Court has become an ideological battleground
Judge Jackson is on track to becoming the first ever African American Supreme Court judge.

Jackson vs. the New Right: how a routine shift in the Supreme Court has become an ideological battleground

The Florida-raised Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson has dominated the news cycle as of late, with several Republican politicians spending their time during her hearings trying to show off by accusing her of not knowing what a woman is, being a proponent of critical race theory…

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Recapping DeSantis’ recent legislation and presidential aspirations
Ron DeSantis has spearheaded several bills recently focused on strengthening parental rights and undermining the rights of public schools. Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Recapping DeSantis’ recent legislation and presidential aspirations

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has, in the past few years, gone from an otherwise irrelevant local politician to the golden boy of the far-right. Seemingly a shoe-in for the Republican presidential candidate, DeSantis has been lifted up to the national stage recently, and his most…

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Resurrecting New College history with Emeritus Professor Arthur “Mac” Miller
A headshot of Arthur "Mac" Miller, courtesy of himself.

Resurrecting New College history with Emeritus Professor Arthur “Mac” Miller

Something that is rarely discussed about the New College undergraduate experience—although perhaps it is universally understood—is that time is never quite on our side. Many students have lofty ideas of clubs and organizations they could kickstart, issues they wish to advocate for and change on…

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@srq.affirmations on Instagram makes waves across Sarasota
One of many memes on the @srq.affirmations page. Photo courtesy of @srq.affirmations.

@srq.affirmations on Instagram makes waves across Sarasota

Over the course of the last couple of years, the city of Sarasota has been growing at a rapid pace, due to increasing in population size and numerous ongoing construction projects, as well as the addition of a brand-new tourist trolley known as the Bay…

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[New] Tech: Task management tools, internet safety and the new Steam Deck
Internet safety has become increasingly more relevant over the past few years, as more and more school and work opportunities have moved online.

[New] Tech: Task management tools, internet safety and the new Steam Deck

New College has a [New] location to get their technology news. [New] Tech will be a recurring Catalyst column featuring stories that New College should know in the realm of technology. To kick off our first edition, we are covering the best task management tools…

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The tragic story behind Miya’s Law, and what it means for tenant safety
A headshot of Miya Marcano (2002 - 2021). Photo courtesy of the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

The tragic story behind Miya’s Law, and what it means for tenant safety

Content warning: discussion of breaking and entering, violence against a college student, murder Miya Marcano, a 19-year old sophomore at Valencia College in Orlando, FL, was last seen alive on Sept. 24, 2021 at the Arden Villas Apartments in Orlando—where she lived and worked—and was…

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“SWAlumni” panel hosts alumni guest speakers with careers in education
Five former SWAs attended the panel as guest speakers, all of whom graduated as recently as 2020 and as late as 2014.

“SWAlumni” panel hosts alumni guest speakers with careers in education

Alumni reunited on Apr. 3 to talk about coming from a Student Writing Assistant (SWA) position at the Writing Resource Center (WRC) into a career within the education department. The event—titled “SWAlumni in Education”—was made possible by Director of Writing Jennifer Wells and Assistant Director…

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Sunshine Protection Act raises debate between U.S. Senate and House of Representatives
If passed, the Sunshine Protection Act would abolish the Uniform Time Act, established in 1966.

Sunshine Protection Act raises debate between U.S. Senate and House of Representatives

The Sunshine Protection Act has emerged with the aim to eliminate the one hour time change—Daylight Savings Time—once and for all. The objectives of the bill are to make the time change either permanently sprung forward or fallen back, and to repeal Section 3 of…

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Relief for Ukraine, bombs for Yemen: the U.S.’s stunning hypocrisy on foreign wars
A photograph taken from the scene of an airstrike in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen. Photo courtesy of Ibrahem Qasim on Flickr.

Relief for Ukraine, bombs for Yemen: the U.S.’s stunning hypocrisy on foreign wars

In response to Russia's alarming military invasion of Ukraine, a war that is currently poised to escalate conflicts between world powers and spur on another humanitarian crisis, virtually all U.S. state officials and media figures have opted for a staunch condemnation of the invasion. The…

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Exercise your green thumb with the Caples Food Forest and Garden Club
Located near old Caples and the carriage house on the bay side of campus, the Caples garden and food forest are one of New College's hidden gems.

Exercise your green thumb with the Caples Food Forest and Garden Club

The New College Food Forest is an iconic part of campus life, providing a fun way for students to garden together and create community engagement through sharing food. Located at Caples campus, the Food Forest also has the added benefit of being a free, healthy…

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New record-breaking roller coaster Iron Gwazi debuts at Busch Gardens
Thrill seekers may want to consider visiting Busch Gardens this week for a chance to ride the Iron Gwazi this spring break. Photo courtesy of Imgur.

New record-breaking roller coaster Iron Gwazi debuts at Busch Gardens

On Mar. 11, the Busch Gardens theme park in Tampa opened up their newest coaster, Iron Gwazi, to the public. Boasting itself as North America’s Tallest Coaster and The World's Fastest and Steepest Coaster, Busch Gardens further cements itself as a legend and revolutionary in…

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Caples Mansion’s mold remediation was successful—here’s what’s next
Caples Mansion renovations as seen on Mar. 2, 2022.

Caples Mansion’s mold remediation was successful—here’s what’s next

The Caples Mansion, built in 1921 by Alfred Caples, was vacated and closed in Jun. 2018 after mold—Penicillium Aspergillus to be specific—was found. But, beginning in 2021, renovations have been underway. The mansion is a part of the Caples–Ringling Estates Historic District, forcing renovations of…

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An inside look of WSLR’s student-run “New Radio” program
Student art promoting New Radio, New College.

An inside look of WSLR’s student-run “New Radio” program

The “New Radio” program—a subset of WSLR+Fogartyville, Sarasota’s local radio station—is hosted by New College Radio Programming representative, member of the WSLR Board and Planning Committee and third-year Aniston “Ash” Hoffman. The goal of WSLR is to have at least one program run by a…

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Celebrating Women’s History Month with the HERstory Panel
From left to right: Nikole Parker, Jada McNeill, President Patricia Okker, Valerie Buchand and Emily Fairchild.

Celebrating Women’s History Month with the HERstory Panel

The “HERstory” panel, once a webinar, was hosted in-person for the first time on Mar. 17 in the Jane Bancroft Cook Library. Moderated by Associate Professor of Sociology and Gender Studies Emily Fairchild, the event focused on how the panelists are creating their own HERstory.…