5A Identifying Local Opportunities

Opportunity #1

·      Title: UF student falls from parking garage, in critical condition

·      Link: https://www.alligator.org/news/uf-student-falls-from-parking-garage-in-critical-condition/article_14673812-3cd5-11ea-b017-0f8e5c9fefcb.html

·      The story: Mitchell Capps, a 22-year-old UF student and member of Theta Chi fraternity, fell from the fourth floor of a parking garage on January 17^th at 10pm.  He has been in critical condition but is slowly recovering.  He sustained brain damage and has been on a breathing tube.  He was identified by one of his best friends who “happened to be driving by” and recognized him on the pavement.

·      The problem: UF fraternities engaging in unsafe behavior, and UF facilities being unsafe.

·      Who has the problem: UF students, and UF in general when they get sued for injuries resulting in unsafe activities.

Opportunity #2

·      Title: Gainesville ranks among top cities in country for cases of STDs

·      Link: https://www.alligator.org/news/gainesville-ranks-among-top-cities-in-country-for-cases-of/article_a9329c42-3ce5-11ea-8273-ab9d4cbb9e51.html

·      The story: A new study placed Gainesville number 51 in the country for cities with the highest rates of STD’s.  There are allegedly 1,057 cases reported per 100,000 people.  Chlamydia is the most prevalent STD, with gonorrhea coming in second.

·      The problem: People are not preventing the spread of STD’s effectively, getting tested quickly, or using condoms

·      Who has the problem:  College students nationally, but especially on large campuses

Opportunity #3

·      Title: GPD continues use of highly-criticized facial recognition program

·      Link: https://www.alligator.org/news/gpd-continues-use-of-highly-criticized-facial-recognition-program/article_fda52c94-424a-11ea-a379-5f6e784062d8.html

·      The story: The Gainesville Police Department has been using a facial recognition program that was already banned in New Jersey.  The program is called Clearview AI, and it uses images taken from social media and other online platforms to keep track of people’s facial features.

·      The problem:  People are afraid that this technology is an infringement on privacy, and that it could be used incorrectly if the wrong people get ahold of it.

·      Who has the problem:  Anyone who opposes of this system and is being identified by their social media pictures online.

Opportunity #4

·      Title: Lucky’s Market to close Gainesville store

·      Link: https://www.alligator.org/news/lucky-s-market-to-close-gainesville-store/article_fc025624-3cc2-11ea-ad24-1fe08ac3b783.html

·      The story:  Lucky’s Market, a supermarket that specializes in natural organic foods, is planning to close all its Florida locations.  Previously owned by Kroger, they knew that if Kroger pulled out then Lucky’s would ultimately go bankrupt.

·      The problem: Many employees across Florida are losing their jobs and feel betrayed.

·      Who has the problem: The employees of Lucky’s Market, as well as loyal customers who frequently shop there

Opportunity #5

·      Title: UF student arrested months after allegedly raping woman in dorm

·      Link: https://www.alligator.org/news/uf-student-arrested-months-after-allegedly-raping-woman-in-dorm/article_365f6524-31f0-11ea-a087-ebf24f921dc0.html

·      The story: Elliot Whitney, a junior at the University of Florida and mechanical engineering student, was arrested for raping a female student almost five months after the rape occurred. Instances of sexual assault have been on the rise lately, and one out of every four female undergraduate students reports being sexual assaulted.

·      The problem: Whitney was not arrested fast enough, and the police were slow to address the problem

·      Who has the problem: Victims of sexual assault and anyone at risk of being sexually assaulted in the future.