Raises, renovations and the New College Challenge: 30 minutes with President Okker
President Patricia Okker posing outside of Cook Hall.

Raises, renovations and the New College Challenge: 30 minutes with President Okker

The last time that the Catalyst spoke exclusively with President Patricia Okker, it was in May 2021—shortly following the Apr. 20, 2021 Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting where she was selected as New College’s next president, but before her tenure had begun on July 1,…

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$170,960 overhaul of the NCF website leaves students with accessibility complaints
The homepage of the newly-designed New College website.

$170,960 overhaul of the NCF website leaves students with accessibility complaints

The main NCF website has drastically changed as of recently, the end result of a 15-month-long project by Communications and Marketing, IT and Fastspot—a third party web design vendor—to update and streamline the website in order to further appeal to new and prospective students. Current…

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15-week abortion ban to be passed by DeSantis
Planned Parenthood "Stop the Bans" sign hanging in their booth at Manatee Pride 2022.

15-week abortion ban to be passed by DeSantis

Since 1973, American women have had the constitutional right under federal law to seek an abortion within 24 weeks of pregnancy. Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court heard a case in Mississippi—known as Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Clinic—where the Republican majority favored shortening the period…

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Proposed VIP Weekend event raises controversy among students
A poster for the Black Student Union (BSU) found in the Gender and Diversity Center (GDC).

Proposed VIP Weekend event raises controversy among students

New College of Florida seeks to make its community thrive with diversity and inclusion in order to promote the voices of black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC). However, the most recent diversity event proposal raises multiple issues, especially from the perspective of BIPOC students…

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New Florida COVID-19 guidelines means New College is ceasing high-risk contact tracing, shortening isolation period
One of the many rapid test kits available to students for free at the Counseling and Wellness Center.

New Florida COVID-19 guidelines means New College is ceasing high-risk contact tracing, shortening isolation period

Since mid 2020, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has worked to implement initiatives meant to return Florida to normal as much as possible in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Even at times when these initiatives conflicted with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC)…

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Contextualizing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Wreckage of a missile strike on a residential building in Ukraine. Photo courtesy of kyivcity.gov.

Contextualizing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

In the morning of Feb. 24, 2022, (Eastern European Standard Time) President of Russia Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation in Ukraine,” and just after explosions were reported in major cities across Ukraine. Russian troops, which had been amassed in areas surrounding Ukraine, near…

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Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill passes first reading in Senate Committee, is met with community protest
Protestors marched up the John Ringling Bridge at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 27, each holding up a 700-foot long pride flag, some also carrying signs.

Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill passes first reading in Senate Committee, is met with community protest

Florida House Bill 1557: “Parental Rights in Education” quickly gained the nickname “Don’t Say Gay Bill” by opponents and LGBTQ+ activists when it was first proposed on Jan. 11, 2022. On top of requiring school district boards to “reinforce [the] fundamental right of parents to…

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58th St. Residents Protest New College Construction and Potential Land Acquisition with Poignant Art
The residents of 58th St. hold an art show every Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. (weather permitting) in protest of New College's "58th St. Project."

58th St. Residents Protest New College Construction and Potential Land Acquisition with Poignant Art

By Nickolas Steinig and Sophia Brown Colorful hand-painted signs have cropped up along the houses of 58th St., a two-lane road running parallel to Palmer B Dormitory, or B Dorm. The signs bear slogans including “How many roads & trees & wildlife will New College…

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“Putting Parents First Adjustment” causes Sarasota to lose $12.6 million
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis praises State Representative Randy Fine and the House of Representatives for upholding his decision.

“Putting Parents First Adjustment” causes Sarasota to lose $12.6 million

On Feb. 15, Sarasota lawmakers—along with the rest of the Republicans in the Florida House of Representatives—passed the “Putting Parents First Adjustment.” How it puts the parents first, exactly, is unclear, but what isn’t is the point of this seemingly minute adjustment to the state…

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Rent hike incoming for Dort, Gold and B Dorm to cover water line and HVAC replacement costs
An aerial view of Dort and Gold Residence Halls.

Rent hike incoming for Dort, Gold and B Dorm to cover water line and HVAC replacement costs

On Jan. 11, the New College of Florida Board of Trustees (BOT) passed an unprecedented amendment to the colleges’ rent regulations. Action Item 3-1002 gives the administration authority to increase rent prices for Palmer B Dormitory up to 34% (from $6700 to $9000) and increase…

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