Identifying Local Opportunities

"New Parking Lot Restrictions Affect Students on Weekends"

This article is about increased restrictions for on-campus parking during UF game-day weekends, and how it is affecting students. When a football game is hosted in campus, families, alumni, and students from all over Florida travel into the city, and on game day cars and tailgates are on every corner of the campus. However, this causes two problems: traffic and lack of street availability for students with decals trying to park and/or go about their day, and increased demand for parking spaces in an already overcrowded location with two few spots to begin with. This is a problem for students and for the alumni/families traveling to campus. However, there is a potential opportunity here for somebody to create a solution to this problem: potentially an app for better communication of availability, or government intervention.

Link: http://www.alligator.org/news/article_705fc5e8-9f1c-11e7-81e5-e34ac3b8c41a.html


"Impact Party Releases Platform"

This article is about the university's reigning political party and its recent statement regarding its ideologies and platforms moving into the new election cycle. The article also discusses the emergence of the Inspire Party, Impact's newest rival. Inspire, like several parties that come before it, argues that UF's political system is a corrupt representation of only Greek Life. They also assert that non-Greek students don't vote as often because voting isn't easily accessible as it must be done at an on-campus library. The people affected by this are students, and there is a definite opportunity here to create a system that will allow students to vote electronically.

Link: http://www.alligator.org/news/article_293b7db4-9f1d-11e7-9ef7-7ba17342c244.html


"Hundreds of Jewish UF Students Welcome a New Year"

This article is about the celebration of the Jewish High Holidays (specifically Rosh Hashanah) by Uf students. Within the article, the writer emphasizes the number of students who attended services and dinner- over 500 at Chabad. Tables were overflowing, students were in the hallway, and matzoh ball soup was running out. Although the Chabad rebbes are great at taking care of the students, it is clear that they have a lot on their hands with so many students to take care of, especially during dealing with effects of Irma. This affects not only the student but also the Rebbes and Chabad administration. There may be an opportunity her for event services to help with provision of large meals, preparation, or even securing a bigger space.

Link: http://www.alligator.org/news/article_434fbdae-9f0a-11e7-a87e-5f525777ca6e.html


"Bento Cafe to Celebrate with 15 Days of Bento Event"

This article is a piece about Bento, the Asian sushi and cafe restaurant, and it's marketing/promotional campaign in order to celebrate its 15 year anniversary. The company began in Gainesville and has since grown throughout Florida, with several locations in Orlando, Tallahassee, and South Florida. Although the article is about the restaurant's anniversary, I see a very cool opportunity: Bento has gained so much popularity as a result of its business model, and I see the opportunity now for expansion past Florida. In addition, I think that the company can build its relationship within student communities in order to fuel attention within its new geographic market. This can generate a positive impact for the company, and if it forms relationships with student organizations, this can have a very positive impact on students as well.

Link: http://www.alligator.org/the_avenue/article_61e90c0a-9804-11e7-8113-eb4a28e653c6.html


"Alachua County Jail Inmate Dies in Cell"

This article is about Maurice Devonte Page, a 19-year-old inmate at Alachua County Jail who fas found dead in his cell this week. While there is currently an investigation under way, there has not yet been a statement regarding the cause of death. I think this article brings to light a very important issue regarding human rights and treatment of jail inmates. This really affects the jail inmates. There may be an opportunity here for an organization to regulate jails and provide solutions for cost-effective safety management.

Link: http://www.alligator.org/news/article_c3d7faee-9d8a-11e7-9ac6-1fe96433f66a.html