UF Mistakenly Pays County $300k Check

The University of Florida accidentally paid Alachua County a full check January for security measures provided during an October event.

Alachua county commissioners have agreed to hand over a $300,000 check that the University of Florida accidentally sent them. The electronic transfer was a miscommunication, according to university leaders. University of Florida President Kent Fuchs said he was "disappointed” and met with county commissioners and asked for the money back, according to WUFT.

This mistake comes after the county billed UF for  law enforcement provided on campus. The decision to host police came after white nationalist RichardSpencer was confirmed to speak on university grounds on Oct. 19.




To further secure the student body from any harm, over half a million dollars was used to provide security. Extreme measures were taken to prevent a dangerous outcome similar to Spencer’s previous speech done in Charlottesville. Richard Spencer led a white nationalist crowd with torches ultimately leaving one dead, according to NBC News.



Fearing the possible danger, Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in Florida in a September report anticipating Spencer’s arrival to Florida. The Florida Highway Patrol, the Gainesville Police Department, Alachua County Sheriff's Office, the University of Florida Police Department and others were called to action.

UF President Kent Fuchs had shared a video urging students to stay away from Spencer’s designated location as the speaker’s ideologies did not support the university’s values.  Although the speaker’s presence was unwelcomed, the university hosted him to avoid violating the first amendment and free speech.



The constitution protected Spencer from paying security measures, leaving him to only pay about $10,000 to rent the space on campus, according to the Miami Herald. UF is now also reconsidering it’s speaker policy to avoid events that require high security expenses.  

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