UF Fraternity Under Investigation for Hazing
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Florida had its worst 3-point shooting night of the season in a 20-point loss to Kentucky on Tuesday. Not officially associated with the University of Florida Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida We Inform. You Decide. See story, page 13. VOLUME 106 ISSUE 96 WWW.ALLIGATOR.ORG WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012 Gay rights supporters relish Prop 8 decision in California � THE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BAN WAS RULED UNCONSTITUTIONAL. MEREDITH RUTLAND Alligator Staff Writer Gainesville gay rights supporters are excited that a California same-sex mar- riage ban was deemed unconstitutional Tuesday by a San Francisco federal ap- peals panel. The ban, called Proposition 8, was ap- proved by 52 percent of California voters in 2008. Supporters expect the issue to go to the Supreme Court, although the Brett Le Blanc / Alligator appeal had not been sent as of Tuesday Burning Rubber night. Until then, Gainesville groups will An Alachua County Fire Rescue Worker packs up equipment at 3530 SE Hawthorne Road after tending to a commercial tire fire wait and celebrate. Tuesday evening. See page 5 for the story. Terry Fleming, co-president of the Pride Community Center of North Cen- tral Florida, said members of the center are thrilled with the decision and will watch to see what happens next. “This is a historic decision that will UF fraternity under investigation for hazing have an impact across the nation,” he KATHERINE HAHN according to the University is assisting in the investigation, he said. said. “If it violates it in California, it vio- Alligator Contributing Writer Police Department’s Crime Machen did not name the fraternity, but lates it across the nation.” Log. However, the hazing Kratzer confirmed it was Alpha Phi Alpha. Bridget Siegel, external vice president for the Pride Student Union at UF, said A UF fraternity is under investigation for began Jan. 9, the first day “With the nature of this investigation, of the spring semester. there is simply not a lot that we can discuss the announcement was a big victory for a reported hazing incident. gay rights supporters. The group has not Alpha Phi Alpha, a National Pan-Hellen- UF President Bernie at this time,” said UPD spokesman Maj. Brad Machen emailed a state- Barber. planned activist activities in reaction to ic Council fraternity, has been implicated in a the announcement, but she said she ex- hazing incident that occurred over the week- ment to students Tuesday Kratzer said no one was hospitalized as Machen afternoon to announce a result of the hazing, which occurred off pects the group to arrange events within end, said interim vice president for Student the next week. Affairs Dave Kratzer. that UPD is investigating the incident. The Division of Student Affairs SEE HAZING, PagE 8 “Finally for it to be deemed complete- The incident was reported on Saturday, ly unconstitutional is an amazing oppor- tunity,” said Siegel, a 20-year-old religion studies sophomore. Mayor Craig Lowe, who is the city’s Authorities arrest 21 in child-sex sting first openly gay mayor, said the measure TYLER JETT personal/casual encounters sec- When he arrived at the house, as part of Operation Tailfeather, was a step forward for the nation. Alligator Staff Writer tion. After exchanging emails, Norman rang the doorbell. Four a joint investigation by GPD and If the Supreme Court decides to look at Norman learned he was chatting officers came outside, grabbed the Alachua Country Sherrif’s the issue, Lowe said he will consider ask- Standing at the front door of with a 14-year-old boy, accord- his hands, covered his mouth Office that began Jan. 30 and ing the City Commission to pass a reso- an unknown house in northern ing to the arrest report. and pulled him to the ground. ended Monday morning. lution supporting the push for same-sex Gainesville on Feb. 1, Lenard The boy said his parents were The “14-year-old boy” was re- Norman is a UF alumnus. marriage. Norman was already anxious out of town. Norman, 24, said he ally Gainesville Police Detective He graduated last year from the “Ultimately, what will be required is about the police. would swing by the house. Scott Meffen Jr. College of Education, and was the realization that all families have value About four hours earlier, “Still i m a little worried about Norman, charged with three fired Monday from his job teach- and deserve to be respected under the around 7 p.m., Norman re- u being underage,” he wrote. counts of obscene communica- ing second graders at Metcalfe law,” Lowe said. sponded to a Craigslist ad in the “Not looking to go to jail.” tion, was one of 21 men arrested SEE STING, PagE 8 Today 77/48 Woman dies in single-car accident on I-75 Student Senate hears plan for spring FORECAST 2 CROSSWORD 11 The 19-year-old was from Clearwater, Fla., pg 4. election polling locations OPINIONS 6 SPORTS 13 New CLAS website helps students discover majors Backup locations are deemed impossible, pg. 3. CLASSIFIEDS 10 About 101,000 students have used it since launch, pg 9. 2, ALLIGATOR § WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012 News Today VOLUME 106 ISSUE 96 ISSN 0889-2423 WHAt’s HAPPENING Not officially associated with the University of Florida FORECAST Published by Campus Communications Inc., of Gainesville, Florida Collaborating with Strangers TODAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY NEWSROOM Workshop 352-376-4458 (Voice), 352-376-4467 (Fax) Today, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Editor Joey Flechas, [email protected] University Gallery (Fine Arts Managing Editor / Print Emily Morrow, [email protected] Building B) PARTLY PARTLY PARTLY PARTLY PARTLY Unmask your creative poten- CLOUDY CLOUDY CLOUDY CLOUDY CLOUDY Managing Editor / Online Marissa Prieto, [email protected] tial, find quick ways to make 77/48 72/46 75/49 66/41 66/42 University Editor Clare Lennon, [email protected] long-term connections and turn Metro Editor Meredith Rutland, small talk into big ideas. The from bouquets to single ros- Saturday is $25. Registration [email protected] workshop connects students es. includes a T-shirt and tote Breaking News Editor Jon Silman, [email protected] and faculty on campus during bag. Opinions Editor Justin Hayes, [email protected] three-minute speed meetings Ahn Trio with the Nai-Ni Chen Freelance Editor Erin Jester, [email protected] sponsored by the George A. Dance Company Me, Myself, and God Sports Editor Matt Watts, [email protected] Smathers Libraries. To regis- Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Monday, 7 p.m. Assistant Sports Editor John Boothe, [email protected] ter and get more information, Phillips Center for the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom alligatorSports.org Editor Joe Morgan, [email protected] visit www.uflib.ufl.edu/pio/ Performing Arts Islam on Campus is host- Editorial Board Joey Flechas, Emily Morrow, CoLAB/home.html. Experience an imaginative, ing the second lecture event Justin Hayes, Josh Isom cross-cultural collaboration of Islam Awareness Month Photo Editors Dana Burke, [email protected], Radical About Christ Bible between the Ahn Trio and the about Tawheed: the Oneness Brett Le Blanc, [email protected] Study Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company of God, and the direct con- the Avenue Editor Sami Main, [email protected] Today, 5:30p.m. as they draw inspiration from Little Hall, Room 201 poetry, drama, music and nection followers of Islam Copy Desk Chiefs Tom Green, Phil Kegler, Greg Luca, Are you ready for February, the dance to bring an artistic fu- claim with God. Free food Corey McCall, Rachel Rowan month of love? Radical About sion of Eastern splendor and will be provided. For more Copy Editors Calli Breil, Chloe Finch, Christ presents “The Month of Western dynamism. Student information, please visit isla- Karly Kehres, Sarah Kinonen, Unconditional Love.” The sec- tickets are $12. Visit perform- moncampus.com. Wade Millward, Elesa Paschke, ond topic to be covered is “Me, ingarts.ufl.edu for more infor- Raven Pritchett, David Williams, mation. Myself, and I.” Come and enjoy Valentine’s Day Yoga & Salsa Nika Zecevic the word of God tonight. Monday, 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. “Ignorance, Women and Southwest Recreation Center DISPLAY ADVERTISING Excellent Science” Golden Key General Body Desiring a calm, soothing 352-376-4482, 800-257-4341, 352-376-4556 (Fax) Meeting Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Advertising Director Shaun O’Connor, Ustler Hall Atrium evening or a sizzling salsa? Today, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. [email protected] Philosopher of science and Bring a friend, significant Turlington, Room L001 other or just yourself to the Retail Advertising Manager Gary Miller, [email protected] Come out to Golden Key’s sec- technology professor Carla free Valentine’s Day Yoga Advertising Assistant Melissa Bell ond meeting to learn about on- Fehr of the University of Display Advertising Clerks Stephanie Parker, Barbara Valle going events and opportunities Waterloo will discuss the role and Salsa event. Registration this semester. There will be free of women in academic science opens Wednesday. For more Intern Coordinator Ally Russo pizza, soda and a performance and engineering research and information, visit recsports. Sales Representatives Serina Braddock, Brighid Hourihan, by Theatre Strike Force. Bring the impact of scientific diver- ufl.edu. Angela Hunter, Michael Jimenez, children’s toys and clothing for sity on research innovation. A Sarah Platt, Brandon Stern, Q&A session will follow. For the Footprints collection drive to Got something going on? Kristen Strobel, Courtney Sutherland be donated to kids at Shands. more information, visit www. humanities.ufl.edu. Want to see it in this space? Send an email with “What’s CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Gators Assisting Pets Interest Happening” in the subject 352-373-FIND (Voice), 352-376-3015(Fax) Meeting Why I Believe in God: The Classified Advertising Manager Ellen Light, [email protected] Moral Argument for the line to emorrow@alligator.