Dear Students and Families:
At a time when we’re all feeling like we have little control over our lives, the University Â鶹ÊÓƵ is committed to creating an environment that gives students more options than ever, so that each student can create the semester that fits best with their wishes, their schedule, their lifestyle and their living preferences. This is all with an unrivaled commitment to safety and well-being so that we provide a college experience as close as possible to what students expect and deserve.
That’s why for the fall 2020 semester we are encouraging students to choose what works best for them. Many of our classrooms will be open with fewer students in attendance, and both faculty and students will be wearing face coverings and observing appropriate physical distancing. There will be access to a variety of resources through Information Technology. Where available, students also have the option of engaging in online courses from the residence halls, the Marshall Student Center, libraries, dining halls, or they can just sit on a bench or spread a blanket on any of the sprawling green spaces on our campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee to enjoy the outdoors as they learn. For students interested in an on-campus living experience, housing is available in residence halls on the Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses. To learn about housing opportunities, please contact housing@usf.edu (Tampa) or usfsp-housing@usf.edu (St. Petersburg).
Beyond classes, students will have a broad spectrum of experiential learning opportunities, including guest lectures, virtual tours of research labs, student organizations, tutoring, study groups, and meal plan options. Students will also have access to expanded health services, sanitized residence halls, and extra sterilization measures in all forms of transportation around campus.
We see offering greater choice as a reflection of how the education system will surely change going forward, but we’ve worked hard to put the decision in your hands now. While 2020 will certainly be a year of change, we would also like it to be one that provides reassurance and comfort by providing a sense of control for our students by learning in a way that works best for them.
The updated fall schedule is ready for your review in OASIS, which is accessed via MyUSF. Be sure to review the newly added Student FAQs for more detailed information on the instructional methods and other helpful information as you prepare for the fall semester.
At the Â鶹ÊÓƵ, the fall term is on your terms.