Not officially associated with the University of Florida
The Gators are
making an emphasis
to get Patric Young
more involved ahead
of Saturday’s game at
South Carolina.
See story, page 14
Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida
We Inform. You Decide.
WWW.ALLIGATOR.ORG
VOLUME 106 ISSUE 79
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012
TRiP funding increases, lowers costs for students
� TRIP IS NOW FUNDED BY THE DEPARTMENT
OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND INVOLVEMENT AND
WILL NOW PAY ALL ITS EMPLOYEES.
SHELBY WEBB
Alligator Contributing Writer
Student outdoor enthusiasts will have to adjust to more
than just the dip in temperatures this semester.
UF’s Travel and Recreation Program, known as TRiP,
has made the transition from a student-run organization
to an employing program for the first time.
“I’m extremely excited about it.”
Jackie Matthews
TRiP coordinator
Haley Stracher / Alligator Staff
TRiP leaders J.T. Madigan, a 21-year-old marketing junior, and Sami Kattan, a 22-year-old anthropology senior, both
work at the Outfitter on the ground floor of the Reitz Union.
ON CAMPUS
Grad student stable after
chemical explosion in Sisler
TYLER JETT
Alligator Staff Writer
Sisler Hall will remain closed today after a
chemical explosion Wednesday afternoon, UF
officials said.
On Thursday, UF’s Environmental Health
and Safety department investigated the explosion that seriously injured graduate student
Khanh Ha. Ha was working under a protective
hood on the second floor when the incident
happened.
Sisler Hall does not have any classrooms,
UF spokeswoman Janine Sikes said. It houses
research labs, offices and stock rooms.
Ha, 27, is in stable condition at Shands at
UF.
Sikes said no other buildings were closed
Wednesday night, but some professors’ offices
are in Sisler Hall, and those classes might have
Today
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CROSSWORD
SPORTS
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been canceled.
Brittany Garner, a 19-year-old psychology
sophomore, said her General Chemistry class
in the Chemistry Lab building was called off.
Also, a seminar was canceled because it was
supposed to consist of graduate students who
are “based” in Sisler Hall, Sikes said.
According to Gainesville Fire Rescue, one
of the known agents involved in the research is
sodium azide, a chemical found in some rocket
propellants and car air bags.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies sodium azide as a potentially
deadly chemical that, when involved in an explosion, can cause burns and expose people to
toxic gas.
A similar explosion occurred in Sisler Hall
on Oct. 11 when a student was transferring a
vial of a shock-sensitive chemical compound to
a scale.
TRiP plans and takes students on outdoor leisure and
adventure excursions.
Program coordinator Jackie Matthews said the changes
will make trips cheaper for students, create more leadership and professional development opportunities for
members.
The organization will also begin to pay trip leaders and
other staff.
“I’m extremely excited about it,” Matthews said.
The group was generating almost all of its own funding before the changes were made, but it is now financially supported by the Department of Student Activities
and Involvement, she said.
The structural changes go into effect this semester, she
said. The organization is reviewing applications for new
leaders for the spring.
Previously, TRiP members would meet and vote on
trips and the running of the organization itself. Although
SEE TRIP, PAGE 4
Drake to perform at
O’Connell Center in Feb.
ALLI LANGLEY
Alligator Writer
Tickets go on sale today for Grammynominated rapper and singer Drake’s
Feb. 15 concert at the O’Connell Center.
Students can line up to purchase tickets beginning at 7 a.m. at the University
Box Office next to the Reitz Union, and
tickets go on sale at 10 a.m.
Drake fan Tori Saputo, a 20-year-old
telecommunication junior, said she and
two friends plan to get in line at the box
office at 6 a.m. to ensure their seats will
be close to the stage.
“I like his moody style,” Saputo
Darts and Laurels
The Editorial Board looks back over the week, pg 6.
Machen to talk higher education with House committee
All 11 State University System presidents are invited, pg 8.
said.
Student Government Productions is
helping with promotions so that students
receive discounted
tickets to the show,
said Renee Musson,
associate director at
the O’Connell Center. However, SGP
Drake
did not organize the
event.
Live Nation Entertainment and Haymon Events are bringing the concert to
UF, Musson said, and no student fees
SEE DRAKE, PAGE 4
Scooter sales up despite decal price hike
UF raised decal prices from $96 a year to
$144 a year, pg. 3.