University of Florida News

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Buckman Hall has won the 2011 Eco-Challenge: Battle of the Halls energy competition in University of Florida residence halls.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida Office of Sustainability will host its annual Campus Earth Day event on April 1, with various activities throughout the day. This weekend, lights will go out on some buildings on campus to recognize Earth Hour.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Asbury Park Press has been named the winner of the 2010 Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Award for exposing questionable use of taxpayer dollars in New Jersey and how that state’s property tax system harms the economy. In addition, the Asbury Park Press raised awareness of a gap in the public records law that allows cities to delegate duties to private vendors, who in turn charge high fees for public information.

Media advisory

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A University of Florida professor has been named a 2011 Leopold Leadership Fellow — becoming only the third professor in Florida to achieve the honor.

Steve Kirn, executive director of the David F. Miller Center for Retailing Education and Research, was quoted in a March 15 St. Petersburg Times story about retailers using packaging tricks to disguise rising commodity prices.

Ecologist Frank Mazotti, an expert in large reptiles, was quoted in a March 11 AFP story about US scientists implanting satellite chips into crocodiles to track changes in the ecosystem.

Lance Gravlee, an associate professor of anthropology, was quoted in a March 3 Chicago Tribune story about a Northwestern University human sexuality professor who allowed students to demonstrate a sex toy in his class.

Political science professor Dan Smith was quoted in a March 9 Palm Beach Post story about the possible consequences of Florida planning an early presidential primary.

Law professor Thomas Hurst was quoted in a Feb. 28 St. Petersburg Times story about the mediation of NFL labor negotiations.