The following is an email that Professor of French Language and Literature and Chair of the Faculty Amy Reid shared to the New College community on May 22, announcing the faculty's approved motion to censure the Board of Trustees (BOT), including the rationale behind it.…
On the evening of May 18, over 400 members of the New College community—encompassing students, staff, faculty, alumni and parents—gathered at the Sarasota Art Museum to celebrate the graduation of the cohort of 2019. It was a ceremony held on their own terms, aptly titled…
On Apr. 25, the Four Winds Cafe hosted the grand opening of Sorrento Sweets, privately-owned coffee and pastry shop. In years past, the Four Winds has traditionally been occupied by student bakers and baristas, giving Novos the opportunity to earn money and gain skills while…
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Walt Disney Company are no strangers to conflict, but the Florida powerhouses’ feud has escalated as of late. Disney has sued DeSantis, alleging the presidential aspirant has unfairly targeted the corporation for political reasons that will greatly damage both…
Many questions loomed for the New College community after Matthew Lepinski resigned at the conclusion of the Apr. 26 Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting, a meeting where trustees voted 6-4 to deny tenure to five faculty members. Lepinski, an associate professor of Computer Science, was…
Ari Aster is an American film director, screenwriter and producer who is best known for writing and directing the A24 horror films Hereditary (2018) and Midsommar (2019). Recently, his third blockbuster film Beau is Afraid was released. It follows our protagonist, an anxiety ridden Beau,…
As the year comes to a close, students begin to prepare outfits and pregaming plans for one of the biggest celebrations on the residential side of campus: the Graduation Center of the Universe Party (COUP). This year’s Graduation COUP, as per tradition, was planned by…
It’s easy to forget the breadth of quantitative courses available to students at New College amidst the surplus of qualitative analysis. In spite of the campus’ focus on the interpretive and the artistic, baccalaureate degree requirements for Novos who fell in with New College during…
In spite of a lack of physical advertisements and last-minute arrangements, the Bubbles Bands Banyan event’s word-of-mouth chorus gave student bands on campus a chance to be heard on Apr. 27 amid the white noise of finals—featuring the likes of Platonic Lovers and Chicken Machine.…
On Apr. 28, the Office of Communications and Marketing sent an email out to the students list informing students that the blue wall that had divided the Hamilton “Ham” Center in half for two years would be gone by brunch the next morning. Introduced alongside…
May 12 marks a trip to West Egg for New College—a trip into the decadence, desperate love and the glistening grandeur of the Roaring 1920s as imagined in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and coordinated solely by thesis student Tatiana Pillsbury and second-year Hannah…
With the end of the semester nearing, Novos will be left with the responsibility of moving out of their dorm by noon on May 21. Many students noted the recent change in dorm checkout procedures, announced by Housing and Res Life Team on Mar 28,…
![Student-run [NEW] Commencement ceremony aims to let students graduate of their own terms](https://ncfcatalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Screenshot-2023-05-09-195926.png)
As the spring semester comes to a close, a substantial portion of the current New College administration is made up of new hires, who have only been part of the community for a handful of months. With this many new faces around Cook Hall comes…
“The show starts in five minutes,” a mysterious voice called out from behind the black curtains of the Sainer Auditorium on May 5. Moments later, the New College Spring 2023 Dance Collective Showcase commenced with cultural dances, K-pop choreography, jazz solos and beautiful interpretative dances…
Students across campus were surprised on Apr. 27 to see that signs for various single-stall bathrooms across campus no longer read “gender-neutral” as they had for years. Messages began to appear on the school’s email forum, reporting that bathroom signage in the Jane Bancroft Cook…
New College is set to host its own Pride event on May 12 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., which promises to be a vibrant and inclusive celebration of queer joy. The event is being organized by a group of 10 students who have been…
First-year Bilge Bengisu Akyol started the Spanish Table this semester using her own resources—giving students, whether fluent in Spanish or not, the opportunity to gather each Wednesday and connect with each other over Turkish tea. Akyol was inspired by her Spanish class that she began…
I watch friends and faculty dissipate, creating a ghost town out of the college that once seemed like the promised land to my depressed teenage self. Many in my cohort, having arrived Fall 2021, have either already abandoned ship, or plan to do so when…
Sports may not be the reason many students choose to attend New College, yet there are still many ways to get active around campus. The Catalyst has compiled a list of student-run clubs that welcome members of all levels of experience, as well as a…
Interim Director of Applied Data Science, author and alum Aaron Hillegass (‘91) arrived at New College in January, ready to begin his teaching career at the campus. One day later, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that six and later seven new members would be joining the…
“Come out with your hands up,” boomed a voice from a mobile intercom on Jul. 26, 2022. This according to longtime Uhuru Movement leader and Black rights advocate Omali Yeshitela, who at the time was sitting across the dinner table with his wife, Ona Zené…
Six months ago, when the expected “red wave” failed to fully manifest, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis looked seriously competitive for the presidency. Winning a landslide victory in Florida while Republicans nationwide underperformed despite their perceived association with former President Donald Trump, plus the volatility of…
Associate Professor of Computer Science Matthew Lepinski first came to New College in 2015, as Computer Science was in the process of transitioning into a full-fledged Area of Concentration (AOC). After working to build this AOC alongside the Applied Data Science Graduate Program and bringing…
It is no secret that journalism is a competitive field for both individuals and companies. Within the past year, several news companies have faced financial challenges that have left them resorting to job cuts and laying off employees. Buzzfeed News was not immune from the…
New College’s annual Newstock festival occurred on Apr. 29 and consisted of four feature bands, 35 student vendors, three food trucks and entertainment from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Events included outdoor sketching, crafts presented by the New College Student Alliance (NSCA) Archives, tarot card…
The Presidential Search Committee met in the Sudakoff Conference Center on Apr. 27 for their first public meeting and announced their intentions to select a new president without a third party firm by the Fall 2023 semester. Since the dismissal of former President Dr. Patricia…
“Shame on you,” shouted those attending the Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting on Apr. 26, as each faculty member seeking tenure “failed” their run, in the words of Chair Debra Jenks (‘80). Following a grievance filed by the New College Chapter of United Faculty of…
First they came for former President Patricia Okker, then they came for the Office of Outreach and Inclusive Excellence (OOIE). And on Apr. 26, the New College Board of Trustees (BOT) continued its trend of disruption by denying five faculty tenure applications, despite all five…
It was 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Apr. 26. Mornings are often quiet at New College, but outside the Hamilton “Ham” Center, a faint sound of music could be heard coming from Z Green. Slowly, a crowd began to gather. In just a few hours, the…
As of Apr. 20, the Nook has upgraded hammocks! The small green area to the side of the Hamilton “Ham” Center which hosts the banyan tree, picnic tables and immaculate vibes has had its signature hole-ridden hammocks replaced with new vibrant ones. Thesis student Nick…
On Apr. 11, Equality Florida (EQFL) decided to officially issue a travel advisory for the state, offering information and guidance as to why LGBTQ+ people should not travel or relocate to Florida—and if they have to, what they should expect. EQFL is “the largest civil…
On Apr. 17, the Advocacy and Accessible Learning Center (AALC) announced via email the opening of their “Sensory Study Room” in Hamilton Classroom (HCL) 3. The Sensory Study Room is available for any student already connected to the AALC office, and can be booked via…
On Jan. 31, former President Dr. Patricia Okker ended her time at New College after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed seven new trustees to the Board of Trustees (BOT), who then terminated her employment contract during their first public meeting. With Okker no longer at…
Gender Studies has long solidified itself as a pertinent field of study in universities, having emerged in the 1970s from Women’s Studies. Gender Studies was established at New College in 1995 and “draws on curricula across the campus (and beyond) to introduce students to the…
The Catalyst invited members of the New College faculty to provide written statements, opinions and commentary following the Apr. 26 Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting and the denial of five of their colleagues' tenure applications. Here, they speak on the work they perform at New…
As Meta prepares to pay $725 million in the privacy lawsuit involving Cambridge Analytica, users who had accounts with Facebook from May 2007 to December 2022 can apply to get their piece of the pie. The lawsuit comes as a result of Facebook allowing former…
On Apr. 12, the New College faculty gathered for its monthly meeting, where professors discussed usual end-of-the-year agenda items and also tackled concerns surrounding their relationship with the new administration. The agenda included motions for endorsement of two statements: one from the New College faculty…
On Apr. 22, the Council of Green Affairs (CGA) hosted the second annual Earth Day festival at the Caples waterfront. The event was organized by a number of students, including New College Student Alliance (NCSA) Chair of Green Affairs and third-year Meilah Wimbush, Co-Chair and…
Mayor of New York City Eric Adams is ramping up plans to go after New York's growing urban rat population. As part of this campaign, he recently installed Kathleen Corradi as Director of Rodent Mitigation—colloquially referred to as the first “Rat Czar.” Allegedly, Corradi was…
Prepare to be enchanted by a delightful cast-within-a-cast of whimsically comedic characters as they try to piece together the ending of Charles Dickens’ final unfinished novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. The musical is the final feature in the [performance @ new college] 2022-23 season…
Which bodies go unseen? What would it take to see them? In New Colleges' annual thesis art exhibition, spanning from Apr. 20 to May 12, seven art students contributed multimedia works that address these questions and focus on themes of identity and representation. Artists included…
An unexpected flooding disaster rapidly swept through the unprepared streets of Fort Lauderdale last week when a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event hit Broward County on Apr. 19. The violent rainfall caused the county to declare a flash flood emergency—the highest level of flood warning. Depictions of…
The Tennessee House of Representatives’ Democratic representatives were caught in the line of fire for bringing anti-gun protest to the House floor following the Nashville Covenant school shooting. Stripped of their status by the Republican supermajority, Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville) and Rep. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis)—colloquially…
On Apr. 13, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis decided to take inspiration from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who implemented one of the strictest bans on abortion nationwide, by signing his own six-week abortion into law. DeSantis signed the bill a few hours after the Legislature passed…
New College has been having something of an identity crisis lately. With Richard Corcoran’s recent promises to admitted students to restructure campus culture to include traditional intercollegiate sports teams and Greek life, it seems that the new administration has changes in mind for New College…
“Black history is American history,” Dr. Marvin Dunn, professor emeritus from the Department of Psychology at Florida International University (FIU) stated firmly during his lesson to the larger Sarasota community on Apr. 20 in the Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Public Library. “Teaching Black History…
A long-contested effort to change the Florida state bird from the Mockingbird to the Scrub-Jay has once again ignited within the Florida legislature, with a battle forming in the upcoming 2023 legislative session. Florida Sen. Tina Posky (D-Boca Raton) filed Senate Bill 78 in mid-December,…
By Veronica Jolley & Caspian Rizzo The Biden Administration announced on Apr. 6 they were investigating a potential leak of highly classified U.S. Defense Department documents detailing information on the ongoing war in Ukraine on social media channels. The documents include timelines of the war…
On Apr. 19, there was music and food in the Nook and students were invited to participate in a cooking class for all skill levels to help celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. The event is the first of five events celebrating…
The Academic, Student and External Affairs Standing Committee, a subcommittee of the Board of Trustees (BOT), met on Apr. 17 to discuss upcoming items for the Apr. 26 BOT meeting, vote on a few small amendments and discuss reports from the college. Notice of this…
Search committees play a key role in selecting the right candidate to lead a college or university. Florida State Regulation 1.002 specifies the broad composition of these committees, and at New College, they are traditionally a mix of trustees, faculty members, staff, students, alumni and…
Just hours before the tenure application deadline, Interim President Richard Corcoran spoke to seven New College professors on Mar. 15, asking them to withdraw their applications. According to Faculty Union President Steven Shipman, Corcoran’s explanation for this was that he didn’t have enough time to…
To the average New College student, CLUCK—which stands for Collaborative Learning and Urban Chicken Keeping—sounds like the exact right kind of ridiculous to become a longstanding New College tradition. Thesis students and Garden Coordinators Nick Beck and Gus Frank have led the charge to get…
By Aria Lockman & Gabriella Batista On Apr. 11, the results of the 2023 New College Student Alliance (NCSA) spring election were announced. Students anticipated another eventful presidential debate but with the lack of opponents, third-year and current president Grace Keenan and second-year Colin Jefferis…
On Mar. 29 Florida passed Senate Bill (SB) 256, targeting public unions and hitting teachers’ unions especially hard. Except for police, firefighters, correction and probation officers, unions under this bill must maintain membership of 60 percent of eligible employees to remain certified and maintain their…
On Apr. 6, the New College of Florida’s Sex Ed Club held its first meeting in the Gender and Diversity Center (GDC). The gathering was a little under ten students, sitting languidly while founder and second-year Shawna Itakura, an aspirant sexual educator themself, discussed their…
New College’s Admitted Student Day is an annual event that provides an opportunity to meet current students and faculty and see what the campus has to offer. With enrollment as one of New College’s most crucial challenges in recent years, the stakes for the upcoming…
“I knew Jim Crow,” writes Dr. Marvin Dunn in his book A History of Florida Through Black Eyes (2016). “I grew up in Florida under his dark, suffocating wings. I knew him intimately, as did every Black person I knew growing up in Deland and…
Anyone in the Sarasota area who has recently made a visit to an emergency department or spoken to healthcare professionals knows that emergency departments have been under strain. Yet, this year hit the region particularly hard. Investigative reporting by the Catalyst has revealed that the…
Imagine a sticky, hot feeling all over your body, like an uncomfortable turtleneck sweater climbing up your neck. Irritability washes over you, panic, lack of focus and anxiety forcing your outing to take a turn for the worst. This intense sensory overload is an experience…
Florida is no stranger to lax legislation on the purchase and possession of firearms, and starting July 1, legal gun owners will no longer require a permit to be able to carry concealed weapons by way of the Gov. Ron DeSantis administration’s passing of House…
Between Mar. 13 and Mar. 24, two greenhouses and their accompanying shed behind the north and west wings of the Heiser Natural Sciences Complex disappeared, confusing the student body. Explanation for the demolition comes after a years-long battle between faculty and contractors who withdrew from…
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom visited Sarasota on Apr. 5 as part of Newsom’srecently-launched Campaign for Democracy tour. According to the Washington Post, this tour aims to fight “rising authoritarianism” in various red states by “[meeting] with like-minded activists,…
600 years after creating the Doctrine of Discovery, the Catholic church is repudiating it. On Mar. 30, the Vatican, Roman Catholicism’s governmental body, announced it was “repudiat[ing] those concepts that fail to recognize the inherent human rights of indigenous peoples including…the Doctrine of Discovery.” The…
This edition of Songs You Should Hear is not for the faint of heart—it's full of songs that make you feel like the bad guy, the villain in your own story. With heavy beats and menacing lyrics, these tracks will make you feel powerful, dangerous…
On Mar. 30, former President Donald Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury, an official accusation that has previously never been lobbed at a current or former president in the United States. On Apr. 5, Trump was charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying…
Communities now have easier access to a critical tool for keeping each other safe from opioid overdose. On Mar. 29, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Narcan nasal spray for over-the-counter use. Advisory committee members unanimously recommended approval for marketing Narcan without a prescription.…
Every year for one month, Muslims around the world celebrate Ramadan through fasting from sunrise to sunset in order to express gratitude and share their devotion. But at New College of Florida, the road to celebration has included issues with the school's dining hall. For…
After months of rigorous preparation, first-year and Co-Captain of the New College Swim Club Katharine “Katie” Sands took a flight to Columbus, Ohio to participate in the National College Club Swimming League from Mar. 31 to Apr. 2. Along with Sands, fellow Swim Club Co-Captain…
On Mar. 21, the Catalyst first reported on the removal of chalk art on campus, speaking with student workers tasked with clean-up efforts as well as Campus Police Department (CPD) officers. Despite this, community members have still felt confused by the academic and legal policies…
The word “woke” has become the centerpiece for culture wars across America. For conservative politicians and leaders, woke has become an ideology, which to them represents discrimination targeting white, cisgender, heterosexual people. Florida has been deemed “where woke goes to die” by Gov. Ron DeSantis,…
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has launched an investigation into contaminated flour across the United States. Between December and February, 12 people across 11 states were diagnosed with Salmonella bacteria after consuming raw batter containing flour. While the CDC has not limited the contaminated…
By Nat Kornblum & Chloe Rusek Florida’s educators have found themselves the target of an ongoing culture war. House Bill 999 has recently joined the itinerary of Florida bills centered on parental rights and educational freedom, which severely restricts women’s and gender studies courses and…
![Mosaic Movements: telling underrepresented stories through art and film [Video]](https://ncfcatalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cut-2.00_01_17_16821.Still005-scaled.jpg)
https://vimeo.com/815322888Mosaic Movements is a local non-profit organization kickstarted by Yoleidy Rosario-Hernandez, the former Dean of Diversity at New College who was terminated by President Richard Corcoran on Mar. 3. Rosario-Hernandez has reoriented zir passion for cultural programs and community dialogue by founding Mosaic Movements. The…
The red tide advisory—originally put in place on Dec. 28, 2022—was finally lifted from all 16 Sarasota County beaches On Mar. 24, deeming the southwest coast safe for visitors…only to be put back in place for select beaches one week later on Mar. 30. The…
Crawling across the Caribbean coastline and dumping the stench of decay wherever it washes ashore is a phenomenon that authors from Science Journal have dubbed the “Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt.” What’s more, one of its largest-recorded masses of sargassum seaweed is barreling towards Florida beaches…
The U.S. has settled into the midst of allergy season, and not only is Sarasota the worst city for allergies in the state, but the sixth worst in the country. Even those who have never experienced allergies are getting symptoms of the April pollen affecting…
New College has faced various criticisms over the past few months for the seeming politicization of its leadership, starting with the DeSantis-appointed Board of Trustees (BOT) and their plans to hire FDOE Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran as Interim President, who also had no prior…
On Apr. 4, the New College of Florida joined other state universities in banning TikTok, WeChat and other “dangerous” apps from devices and networks owned by the campus. Students are no longer capable of accessing TikTok on their own private devices through campus WiFi. The…
This March, students from Brown University have recently pushed the limits for robot hobbyists and professional aerospace engineers alike, by creating and launching a satellite built from a $20 microprocessor, 48 Energizer AA batteries and a drag sail made from Kapton polyimide film. The National…
The COVID-19 virus has dominated the national media for years, but in its wake, another deadly disease has gained traction in the United States that has not received nearly as much coverage. Candida auris—a fungal infection that, according to the Center for Disease Control and…
It had been three days since the Board of Trustees (BOT) voted to dismantle the Office of Outreach and Inclusive Excellence (OOIE) on Feb. 28. As part of that decision, all former staff members of the OOIE would be transitioned into other departments. For former…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Removing wisdom teeth is a painful experience many 17-25 year olds go through, often resulting in popular videos on social media. But aside from online virality, wisdom teeth have been at the top of the list of seemingly useless parts of the human body. However,…
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…
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.…
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…
The feeling of sitting at a dorm desk, staring at a screen and trying to put words together for a paper due at 11:59 p.m. while just not being able to is a universal experience. Sure, studying at cafes is fun, but it can get…
Four people were arrested by the University of South Florida (USF) campus police on Mar. 6 while protesting in support of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Designated as the “Tampa 4,” the arrested individuals included two USF students, a staff member and an alum of…
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…
Submitted by David Land ('70) To everything there is a seasonA time for every purpose under heaven a time to be born and a time to die,a time to plant and a time to harvest, a time to kill and a time to heal,a time to…
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…
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…
In memory of Bobbi, a beloved stray cat who recently and tragically lost their life to a car accident on Mar. 1, students are honoring the impact they had on those on campus. Bobbi may have been a wandering soul, but they touched the hearts…
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…
Academic conferences are largely attended by graduate students and professors to share their findings and build community, but here at New College, we are required to participate in a minimum of three Independent Study Periods (ISP) where we get a headstart on doing research and…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Following the devastating train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, a conversation about train safety and maintenance has taken root across the country. This issue made its way to the Manasota area on Feb. 28 when a freight train was derailed on the Seminole Gulf Railway…
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,…
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,…
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…
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…
“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…
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…
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…
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…
Hanging over the Sarasota-Manatee coastal area like a thick and pungent fog, red tide —as defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)—is a harmful algal bloom that produces toxins that kill fish, make shellfish unsafe to eat and make surrounding air unsafe to…
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.…
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…
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…
“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…
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…
By Isaac Tellechea and Chloe Rusek R. Derek Black (‘10) is one New College’s most notable alumni. Black was born to father Don Black, a former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) and founder of Stormfront, an Internet forum often considered one of…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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:…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
The influence black artists have on every corner of the music industry is far too great to ignore. In honor of Black History Month, this edition of Songs You Should Hear will be focused on a variety of styles and genres from black artists, new…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
2022 has officially become the second-highest year ever recorded for the annual number of mass shootings according to data gathered from the Gun Violence Archive, an independent research group that tracks gun violence in the U.S. Since the beginning of the year to today, there…
A new bill passed by the Connecticut Senate and House of Representatives has mandated that climate change must be taught at all Connecticut public schools for their science curriculum. The bill is slated to go into effect starting July of 2023 and has made Connecticut…
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…
By Sophia Brown & Arianna Lockman For a prospective student taking an on-campus tour, College Hall is the very first impression they get of New College—that shadow of the grand opulence once owned by Charles and Edith Ringling, now a space for faculty and Admissions…
The winter holidays can bring difficult emotions for folks who are struggling, whether it be financially or with loneliness. However, one local organization aims to provide a space to address both of these common holiday stressors. On Dec. 1 at the Meadows Country Club in…
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…
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…
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…
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…
The World Cup has been a cultural staple for nearly a century, bringing together athletes and fans alike from all over the globe, all in the name of the most popular sport on the planet: football. With each tournament, a country is selected as a…
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. …
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…
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…
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…
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…
In October, Hurricane Ian carved its way through Florida and claimed a week’s worth of classes in its wake. Just one month later, Tropical Storm Nicole followed and with it came another set of cancellations across the campus—halting all academic activities for the rest of…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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)…
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…
Recently, pop science might have fed you the stuff of nightmares—or one of the better Bay movies—in the form of 2022-AP7, nicknamed “The Planet Killer” asteroid. The 1.5-kilometer wide asteroid might look scary, but the fact is, you probably have a few thousand years before…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
“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…
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…
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…
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…
November marks the beginning of Diabetes Awareness Month. In the United States, 37 million people are affected by some form of diabetes, yet 20% of all Americans are unaware they have it. While so many people share the experience of diabetes, everyone feels different about…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
The Heart Walk is an annual tradition established by the American Heart Association (AHA) in order to combat the number one cause of death in America: heart disease. This year’s Heart Walk for New College will be on Nov. 12 from 8 a.m. until 11…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
Early voting has already begun, and while some have suggested that statewide races are going to pitch hard to Republicans, local elections are up for grabs. The Catalyst recommends that all New College students vote in these races, as they can be so close with…
It is finally time to welcome the long-awaited reopening of B Dormitory, allowing students who were temporarily placed in Pei first court to move into their intended rooms. The original move-in date was set to be Oct. 3, but due to Hurricane Ian, the move-in…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
More than 450 people are still dying from COVID-19 each day in the United States and more than 30% of people in the United States aren’t vaccinated against COVID-19—but there’s more than masking that can be done about it by the average college student than…
The saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression,” is often said to have originated from Oscar Wilde or Will Rogers—neither of whom are likely to have heard of the Spix’s Macaw and its triumphant return to the wild after nearly…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
One of the lesser known but more interesting parts of New College sits in a series of drawers in a small, closet-like office at the Old Mail Room (OMR) inside the Hamilton “Ham” Center. The New College Student Alliance (NCSA) Archives contains history of the…
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…
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…
A family of gray wolves was recently spotted in Oregon’s Cascade Mountains, and Oregon Wildlife officials are hoping this indicates a resurgence of the species. The number of wolf groups in the area has been bumped up to three since the August sighting. The new…
Bradenton’s newest park is to be named “Governor Ron DeSantis Park” after winning the vote in an open naming contest. The park, located near the 7500 block of Prospect Road right next to Kinnan Elementary School, will be 17 acres and includes a dog park,…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
