has seen over 1,800 new jobs, a balanced budget each year, lower property tax rates, more police officers and firefighters, and expanded city services.

While his list of accomplishments is lengthy, Lowe also stands apart as one of the few openly gay mayors in the United States. Lowe has fought hard, even before he became mayor, to protect and expand LGBT rights in Gainesville. This is why, last Saturday, the UF College Democrats LGBT Caucus asked students to put on their walking shoes and go canvassing to help reelect Mayor Craig Lowe.
An openly gay mayor is a great boon to the LGBT community of Gainesville, and can go a long way towards preserving the LGBT protections we have won in Gainesville. However, last election, Lowe won only by a slim margin of 42 votes. The LGBT Caucus hopes that through its day of action, students will realize what an impact a few hours of volunteering can have on such a hotly contested local election.

Last week, the UF College Democrat’s Women’s Caucus held a Day of Action to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the landmark Supreme court case Roe v. Wade. Decided on January 22, 1973, this case recognized a woman’s right to privacy and a woman’s right to choose. Before this case, almost all states outlawed abortions except in certain circumstances.

To mark this historic decision, we celebrated by making cupcakes and passing out free condoms to those who came to the table to hear about the importance of women’s choice and reproductive health. Even though women’s rights have come a long way in the past 40 years, there has been a recent wave of anti-choice legislation passed in state legislatures across the country in the past few years. Between 2011 and 2012, 28 anti-abortion bills were introduced in the Florida legislature, though few very of them passed.

We hope that Days of Action like this will help remind students of the importance of a woman’s right to access to a safe and legal abortion.

Entry Written by: Christina Ford, Women’s Caucus Chair

Social Committee Chair

Constitution Committee

We catered the event from Napolatano’s, and there was plenty of delicious food for everyone to enjoy. There’s nothing like sharing a good meal with good friends to cap off a semester. Everyone had a great meal before we settled in for the presentations of the evening.

One of the highlights of the evening was a slideshow put together by Kyle Mitchell. It showcased all the events we put together over the year, such as voter registration drives, caucus events, and socials. It was amazing to see all that we’d done in just a few months. Kyle also presented Club Superlatives, which served to recognize some of our outstanding members. It was a great way to thank our members for the amazing work they’d done for the club during the past year.

We also recognized our outgoing senior club members. It was both sad and wonderful to say goodbye and wish them luck in their future endeavors. Our outgoing President, Erin Murphy, was thanked in particular for all the effort she put in to make our club the best it could be. UF Democrats could not have been the incredible club that it is without her hard work and dedication. We will certainly miss our members that are leaving us next year, but they are certainly all moving on to bigger and better things.

In in all, I can’t think of any better way to have capped off the past year. The banquet was the perfect way to show our appreciation to all our members and get together for one final evening together as a club before Summer. There were almost as many tears as their were laughs as we said goodbye to our seniors, but it was a fun night for everyone involved.

Yesterday, April 17th, was National Equal Pay Day.

National Equal Pay Day marks the day of the new year that a woman must work until she reaches the same salary that a man received in the previous year. Women currently receive only 77 cents to every dollar that a man in the same field and position receives. As a female coming through the education system, I am continuously baffled by this oversight in gender equality. I pay the same amount as my male peers for my education. I work just as hard, if not harder than they do.  And I can’t imagine that I will slack in my duties once I join the work force — certainly not when I plan to work in the male-dominated political world. And yet, I am expected to become resigned to the fact that I am unlikely to ever be worth as much.

In 2012 it took 15 weeks longer for a female to receive the same pay that a male received in 2011.

That’s approximately 75 working days.

Approximately 600 working hours.

Six hundred hours. That’s the equivalent of 25 full days. What could you accomplish in 600 hours? I suppose I’ll never know. I’ll need those hours to ensure that myself and my future family are provided for.

So, on April 17th, we stand up for our rights — not something controversial or part aligned.

-Keira Thompson
UFCD Women’s Caucus Co-Chair

But it must also be recognized that our roles in society are not somehow diminished now that our rights have been expanded upon. Now is the time for a new group of people — women and men, young and old, educated and progressive — to come together for a greater future. We must fight to keep the rights and privileges that we have, and gain those that have not yet been gifted to us. And because of this we asked our peers on campus, “How Will YOU Make History?”

We had dry erase boards and markers at our table in Turlington for people to proclaim their dreams, whether big or small. Answers ranged from personal promises to be the very best individual possible, to altruistic endeavors, and dreams of being part of a presidency that represents the interests that are most important to us as Democrats and as individuals.

We hope to one day be celebrating the history you all will undoubtedly make.

Originally a bipartisan bill, the bill has been reintroduced in both chambers of congress numerous times, passing in the House but failing to get a filibuster proof majority in the Senate (though having a simple majority of over 50 votes in support).

The College Democrats at UF believe and support the notion that a bill like the DREAM Act should be passed; not only is it socially conscious – as these undocumented students identify themselves as American – but it is also fiscally responsible and an improvement for our nation. The Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation estimated that the November 30th, 2010 version of the DREAM Act would have “reduced deficits by about $1.4 billion over the 2011-2020 period” and “increased government revenues by $2.3 billion over the next 10 years.” Additionally, In 2007, several senior officials at the Department of Defense have spoken in favor of promising resident status to members of the military as a means of boosting recruitment.

Jasmine Gomez, memeber of the UF College Democrats, signs up to My.edu to donate to the DREAM Act Campaign.

Because of all of this, the UF College Democrats Hispanic Caucus hosted a Day of Action raise funds for a non-profit advocacy group called Campaign for the American Dream. This organization has been preparing a cross-country march by a few “Dreamers” (Undocumented Students who would qualify for a pathway to citizenship under the DREAM Act). We had laptops in our table and people signed up to my.edu, a website which offers help to college students with professors ratings, passing rates for various classes at different Universities as well as in helping set up their academic schedules. This website partnered with CAD and for every person that signed up a dollar was donated for the march. By the end of the day – in a span of four hours – a total of $60 were raised through the website. The UF College Democrats Hispanic Caucus proudly supports the DREAM Act!

The UF College Democrats are excited to announce that we are hosting a Democracy for America Campaign Academy on our campus! The training will take place the weekend of March 24-25, at the University of Florida in the New Physics Building. DFA is a nationally recognized organization, founded by former Governor Howard Dean, that provides grassroots training for political organizing. Attending a Campaign Academy will equip you with valuable knowledge and experience for future organizing and local campaigns.

The training will include workshops on field organizing, finance, communications, online presence, and more.

Details to Know

What: Democracy for America Campaign Academy
When: March 24-25
Where: New Physics Building, UF
Cost: $70, or $35 for low-income individuals and students

 Please register for the Academy on DFA’s website!

The Florida College Democrats annual convention for 2012 is being held in Tallahassee this year, and the UF Democrats are excited to attend! All active student members are welcome to sign up and travel with us. The FCD Convention is an opportunity to meet College Democrats from all over the state, and share ideas and best practices. Get excited to hear from a wide array of speakers involved in many aspects of Florida politics. You can learn more about the convention here.

Details to know:

The convention is the weekend of March 30th – April 1st. The UF College Democrats will drive up Friday afternoon and leave early Sunday afternoon, staying in hotels in Tallahassee on Friday and Saturday night. Cost is yet to be determined. Dress at the convention will be business attire.

You must register for the convention on FCD’s website – registration is $20.

Please sign up below if you wish to attend!