University of Florida - Tower / Seminole Yearbook (Gainesville, FL)

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animal encounters Located at the south-western corner of the University of Florida campus lies the Florida Museum of Natural History, home to the little known Butterfly Rainforest. The 6,400 square-foot exhibit houses not only dozens of butterflies from every corner of the world but also birds, fish, turtles, flowering plants, and exotic trees. The exhibit's renowned beauty to visitors, however, has not gotten it much of a standing among the University of Florida's student population. First and second year undergraduate students especially, are always surprised to hear that such an exhibit exists on campus, and are then even more surprised to hear that it's admission free to everyone with a Gator 1 Card. As Jacqueline McCloseky, second year undergraduate student, said, 'This exhibit is a welcome change of scenery that made me feel like I was miles away in a forest’. McCloseky had been blown away by the natural life and peacefulness she felt at the exhibit, and plans to visit again whenever the stress of her classes becomes a little too much. Another little slice of unknown pride for the gator nation can be found at the The University of Fbrida Bat Houses. The houses consist of three similarly shaped buildings overlooking Lake Alice. The first building of the three to be made was the bat house, constructed in March of 1991. followed years later by the adjacent bat barns in 2010 and 2017. respectively. As unlikely as it may seem, more than 450.000 bats ore housed in the bat barns, with the actual bat house itself having deteriorated and now due for removal after more than 26 years. This astonishing number is what makes the University of Fbrida Bat Houses the largest occupied bat houses in the world. Yet, despite its title, the Bat Houses do not attract many students. As Amanda Lorenzo, second year undergraduate student, said, ‘I had no idea what these houses were, and I've biked by them so many times. I can imagine I'm not the only one who doesn't know the history of these bat houses, or that every sunset so many thousands of bats emerge from them'. And indeed, not many know that every night, these colonies of bats emerge and eat up to 2.5 billbn insects before the sun rises, an amazing feat of nature. A staple to the University of Florida, campus squirrels are students' friends on the ground, their peers alongside early morning or late night walks to class, and nature's very own gardeners. It's hard not to notbe the ever-increasing population of squirrels around campus, and as Shannon McCloskey. third year undergraduate student, said, 'You can find squirrels in just about any corner of campus, from atop trees to inside trash cans'. As friendly as these fellow squirrels may be. it's our domestbated pets that really bring comfort into our lives. Many of the University of Florida's off-campus students reside with their furry friends, and have their own animal encounters behind closed doors. Uma Raja, a third year undergraduate student, remarks that her pet rabbit Cocoa has helped cheer her up various times throughout her years at UF. The University of Fbrida is a vast and animal filled swamp. Sometimes, however, it's hard not to get bst among the brick buildings and live oak trees, and forget about what lies in those trees. Curious and beautiful animals are jv-waiting to be discovered in every r •7 • . corner of campus, all one has to - • i, v - ... ’ ’: 1 do is go out there and expbre KC Writing and Photography by Emily Ponco Do Loon

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Early March 2020 it became clear that nothing will be the same, but who knew for how long, it began with a two-week quarantine that continued for months. For students, maintaining a social life remained a challenge. With that, nightlife in college has changed tremendously. From wearing masks to a smaller capacity, longer lines, and the fear of catching COVID-19. going was seemingly not ideal. However, amidst the chaos, students still found ways to enjoy the nightlife in Gainesville. In a college community, nightlife is one of the main elements that bring students together. Despite COVID-19, bars and restaurants began reopening once Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, granted approval for full functioning bar capacity in September of 2020. ‘I only started engaging in nightlife after getting out of quarantine since I had immunity. I think the bar's reopening has been fun. I like having a nighttime social life, Jake Pugh, first year undergraduate student, said. 'I think having a thriving nightlife scene makes our school a far more relaxed and fun environment. It helps distract people from the issues plaguing our nation and local communities, he said. With social distancing restrictions implemented into campus lifestyles, for some, leaving their dorms to party seemed like the easiest way to meet new people and have a good time. 'Going out allows students to make new friends and meet people they may never have encountered on a Zoom. Although some see it as a risk, there are a variety of benefits that come with a lively nightlife to the economy, city, and overall student body. Rachael Carr first year undergraduate student, said. While many students overcame COVID-19, that did not mean they were entirely safe from the virus. Students who went home or visited family could not take as much of a chance as those who were staying on campus for the entire fall 2020 semester. 1 would love to go out with everyone, but I am trying to have my own and my family's best interests at heart. I don't think any bars should open in this current climate, but it's not surprising that bars in Florida are open. Brendan Kilgerman. first year undergraduate student, said. Nightlife was important for some of the 2020-2021 academic year students who yearned for social interaction during the pandemic. Face-to-face events had been limited for quite a while and. for many, were a part of gaining the typical full college experience. Even though there were risks of getting COVID-19, students still sought to return to a somewhat normal lifestyle, and going to bars was their break from reality. night life during a pandemic Writing and Photography by Natalie Tajoddino 21 Adult Photographed