The Student Alliance has released its full platform, which contains over 70 ideas for UF’s future. With ideas covering topics ranging from student safety to campus food service, the Student Alliance has the most comprehensive platform ever released by a Student Government political party.

“Our extended platform is unlike that of any other political party,” said Ben Cavataro, candidate for Student Body President. “Our ideas, which come from dozens of ordinary students, are the common-sense solutions that our university needs.”

Last week, Ben Cavataro, Sagar Sane, and Rafael Yaniz, the Student Alliance’s executive candidates, signed a pledge both to turn down all Student Government perks, such as cell phone service and meal cards, and to donate their salaries to the Florida Opportunity Scholars program.

Currently, top Student Government officials receive unlimited cell phone service, $3,000 each in meal cards, and elite “official business” parking decals.

The Student Alliance has announced that it will hold its first party convention on Friday, February 5th.

The convention will introduce the Student Alliance's newly selected slate of Senate candidates to the student body, and will feature presentations by the party's executive candidates along with music, videos, and free food.

"I think this is an amazing opportunity for us to talk with everyday students and share ideas about how to change Student Government for the better," said Mariel Rector, chairwoman of the convention.

The events will kick off at 6:00 PM in the Pugh Hall Ocora.

Rafael Yaniz, external chief of staff to Student Body President Johnson, will be running for Student Body Treasurer with the Student Alliance. Yaniz’s top priorities for the campaign include streamlining Student Government finance, exploring alternatives to the Reitz Union fee, working for less expensive food options on campus,and fighting to save Bright Futures for UF students.

Yaniz, who has worked within the Johnson administration since 2009, is resigning his post effective tomorrow.

The Student Alliance passed a bill this Tuesday that will make the Student Government copy center more sustainable. The legislation, written by party leader Jonathan Ossip and presidential candidate Ben Cavataro, makes Student Government paper at least 30 percent post consumer content.

The bill was supported by Gators for a Sustainable Campus, whose Vice President for Internal Affairs, Alex Mourant, joins the Student Alliance as our advisor for sustainability issues.

After considering a diverse range of student leaders, the Student Alliance has nominated Sagar Sane, a University of Florida graduate student, as their candidate for Student Body Vice President. Sane joins Ben Cavataro on the Student Alliance’s executive ticket for the spring general election.

“I’m very excited to join the Student Alliance ticket,” said Sane. “This campaign represents a real opportunity to change our campus, and I’m glad to be a part of it.”

Former Student Senator Ben Cavataro has announced that he will be running for Student Body President with the Student Alliance in the upcoming spring elections.

Cavataro announced that his campaign will focus on getting more students involved with SG, bringing change to our university by increasing student participation.