History
cic•e•ro•ne: n.pl. [ Italian, from Latin Cicer ] a guide who explains history and chief features of places to a sightseer. * Webster's Dictionary
The Florida Cicerones was founded in 1968 by June Stanley as the official hosts of the University of Florida. Named after Cicero, a Roman orator and philosopher, Cicerones was orginally an all-female
organization and remained so until the 1980's. In 1987, the Florida Cicerones merged with the UF National Alumni Association ( now known as UF Alumni Association ) and became the Florida Cicerones /
Student Alumni Association.
Today the Florida Cicerones is a co-ed organization comprised of a diverse group of over 150 UF students, from all backgrounds and areas of study, but who share the same enthusiasm for being a Florida
Gator. The Florida Cicerones is affiliated with the Association of Student Advancement Programs, an international non-profit organization of over 300 student ambassador, student alumni, student spirit and
student foundation groups. The Florida Cicerones serve as the “official student ambassadors to the University of Florida” and represent the university at various functions throughout the year.
Events and Services
The Florida Cicerones are involved in a wide range of University of Florida activities and offer various services to the UF Community. A few of these are described below. If you have further
questions, please email us at cicerones@cicerones.org.
Campus Tours
One of the primary and most visible functions of being a Cicerone is giving tours of the University of Florida. All Cicerones are trained to give professional, enthusiastic and
fun-filled tours to prospective students and families. Cicerones welcome the opportunity to continue to learn more about UF, meet new people and spread their excitement for UF to prospective
students and their families. For more information or to take a campus tour, please visit www.admissions.ufl.edu/visit.html.
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Presidential Personal Hosts
Within the membership of Cicerones there is a select group of individuals who serve as hosts to the President and his family. Personal Hosts serve as student representatives at various functions at the
President's home, during football games and throughout the community.
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Cicerones most recent venture is serving as hosts to the Unviersity of Athletic Association's prospective student athletes.
Cicerones assist the University Athletic Association on home football game days when each ambassador is paired up with a high school recruit and their family for the day. Florida Cicerones also
partner with Women's Gymnastics and Men's Basketball teams. Cicerones is looking to expand their involvement within the UAA in the next few years . For more information on the University Athletic Association
visit their web site at www.uaa.ufl.edu.
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Association of Student Advancement Programs ( ASAP )
Association for Student Advancement Programs (ASAP) is an alliance of student organizations that provides resources and opportunities for networking and leadership development in order to promote
student involvement in educational advancement. ASAP is student run and consists of over 300 higher education institutions covering four different types of student organizations: student ambassador
programs, student alumni associations, student foundation groups and student spirit.
As part of the Association for Student Advancement Programs (ASAP), Florida Cicerones have the chance to travel across the country to participate in leadership workshops and conventions and meet
students from schools throughout the United States.
Each of the eight districts holds their own conference in the spring. Each district runs its own awards and recognition program, while ideas are shared through workshops presented by student organizations.
ASAP Network Conventions are held annually each summer. The Network Conventions are similar to the District conferences, but they are held on the national level. Network Conventions, like District conferences,
include workshops, awards and recognition programs.
To view more information about the Association of Student Advancement Programs www.case.org/asap.
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Student Membership
Cicerones oversee the Student Members of the Alumni Association. The Florida Cicerones also proudly oversee the design and production of the annual F-Book.
F-Book:Recently revived since its disappearance in the early 1960’s, this University of Florida publication is presented to all incoming freshmen as a guide to ensure that all Gators are aware of
the active role they can play in the larger history of UF. Brought back with the vision of former Florida Cicerones President, Bigad Shaban, the F-Book contains more than 100 UF traditions and activities
to participate in as a UF student. The F-Book works with a Cicerones committee called Tradition Keepers to plan events for UF students corresponding to various traditions and activities contained within the
F-Book. Depending on the number of F-Book traditions completed, Student Members are eligible to receive ceremonial pins or the Tradition Keepers Medal to wear at graduation.