University of Florida being sued by student run paper over removal of newspaper racks

Aviary_ufl-edu_Picture_1_20120208125154_PNG

University of Florida
Photographer: University of Florida
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Regular Photo Size

Posted: 08/10/2012

By: Associated Press

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- A student-run newspaper is suing the University of Florida in federal court to stop the removal of orange newspaper racks from campus. The university has said it plans to remove more than 20 of the Independent Florida Alligator's distinctive racks next week. The racks would be replaced by black modular units owned by UF.

The Alligator's nonprofit owner filed a lawsuit late Wednesday in Gainesville federal court to challenge the plan on constitutional grounds. Campus Communications also seeks a preliminary injunction to stop the rack removal.Alligator attorney Thomas Julin tells The Gainesville Sun ( http://bit.ly/RwvJED ) that UF's plans "violate the First Amendment because they give too much discretion."

UF spokeswoman Janine Sikes says the newspaper refused to offer alternatives and the school already delayed enforcing regulations it adopted in 2009.

------

Information from: The Gainesville Sun, http://www.gainesvillesun.com

AP-WF-08-10-12 1127GMT