Statements
Dear Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni and Friends,
Welcome to Homecoming 2026! It is a wonderful time to welcome Gators from across the country back to our campus to enjoy a week filled with events and then a football game on Saturday. I am proud of all the students who have been preparing for months for this week’s festivities.
Also, I am grateful for the many faculty and staff who continue to lead the university in our mission of excellence in teaching, research and service. UF faculty achieved a record $1.34 billion in research and new recognitions and awards are continuous reminders of your incredible accomplishments.
Other recent and noteworthy accomplishments include three ribbon cuttings - UF Health Durbin Park medical campus, the UF Jacksonville Campus and Astraeus Space Institute’s new Mission Operations Center. The Patsy Nelms Literacy Initiative, which will transform early childhood reading outcomes, was also launched.
Other important news from campus includes…
STRATEGIC PLANNING
The Strategic Planning committees were formed in September and have already done great work. Visit the website strategicplan.ufl.edu which has multiple ways to share your thoughts and recommendations. Your input will help shape OUR strategic plan and future.
LEADERSHIP
We continue to make progress in filling our leadership positions. Since July 1, we have hired four deans (engineering, medicine, veterinary medicine, law), and have searches in process for the Provost, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, and deans of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Libraries, Public Health & Health Professions, among others. I anticipate all positions will be filled by late fall but no later than the start of 2027.
CAMPUS SAFETY
At the University of Florida, we will always do all we can to protect our students, faculty, staff and visitors. The UF Police Department does a great job leading our security efforts, and partners with the city of Gainesville and Alachua County to ensure a safe community for all. To strengthen these efforts, we encourage you to download the GatorSafe app on your mobile device. Transportation information (SNAP, RTS, Uber, Gator Lift and Employee Campus Cab), Mobile BlueLight and more are available in this free app, which can be downloaded to smartphones via Apple App Store or Google Play.
VOTING
Elections are coming up, and I encourage you to vote. Visit the Bob Graham Center for Public Service website or vote.ufl.edu to learn more about voting, FAQ’s and more.
ATHLETICS
Join Susan and me in supporting our Gator student athletes and coaches. Visit FloridaGators.com for a schedule of all Gator sports. We look forward to seeing you there.
I wish everyone a safe and happy homecoming week.
Go Gators!
Stuart R. Bell
President