The Firefly's recorder is an automatic artifact in the university science building. Joel picks it up from a dead Firefly in a cutscene, so it cannot be missed, and you can play the whole message later from the Artifacts menu.
It tells Joel and Ellie that the Fireflies have left the university and where they went, which sets the route for the rest of the journey.
The speaker says he is dying and reflects on years with the Fireflies: a few hopeful periods, long stretches of despair, and no breakthrough since a vaccine trial about five years earlier. The lab was compromised, leadership abandoned the campus, and he gave up. He says the others went back to St. Mary's Hospital in Salt Lake City, still trying to save the world.
Free Radicals
Free Radicals, issue 7 of Savage Starlight, is on the rusty hood of a car up the hill behind you as The University begins.
Fungal X-rays
The Fungal X-rays are an optional artifact in the university science building. After you follow Ellie through the short tunnel, turn left and check the far table next to the window.
Griggs's Firefly Pendant
Griggs's Firefly pendant lies on a table in the last tent of a camp outside the science building, in the Go Big Horns section of The University. It belonged to Erik Griggs.
H. Pino's Firefly Pendant
H. Pino's Firefly pendant hangs from a tree near the flamethrower room in the Go Big Horns section of The University. It belonged to Hope Pino and needs knocking down.