Tampa Republic

A record number of University of South Florida students will move into residence halls this week, as more students than ever before are expected to live on USF’s campuses for the fall semester.  In Tampa, nearly 6,500 students will reside on campus and more than 900 students will reside on the St. Petersburg campus, bringing the total number living in residence halls to approximately 7,400.     

For more than a decade, USF has placed a strategic focus on offering a more residential campus experience and adding housing capacity as part of an overall commitment to student success. Studies have shown that a vibrant on-campus environment can have a direct impact on improving the academic performance of students, as well as helping build stronger connections with peers.  In 2018, the 2,100-bed Village complex fully opened on the Tampa campus and the 375-bed Osprey Suites opened in 2020 on the St. Petersburg campus.  Between the two campuses, USF has a total of 33 residence halls.

“The record number of students moving into USF’s residence halls shows that our students recognize the value of on-campus living and its impact on the holistic student experience," USF President Rhea Law said. "We are incredibly excited to welcome our students and their families to our active and vibrant community here at USF.”

Grand Opening Facts and Stats:

• More than 400 student volunteers have signed up to help their peers move in through USF’s signature Bull Haul program on the Tampa campus.
•  Including students, families and other volunteers, USF estimates 10,000 people will be on the Tampa campus Thursday to help welcome and move students into the residence halls.
• Student residents on the Tampa campus represent 46 states and 83 countries; on the St. Petersburg campus, student residents represent 33 states and Puerto Rico as well as 17 countries.
• USF features a total of 19 Living Learning Communities, which are residential communities designed to provide a cohort experience with peers who share similar academic, career and co-curricular interests.

   

  Students arriving will be able to take advantage of various new additions on both campuses this fall. Among the enhancements, a new smoothie and acai bowl franchise, Blenz Bowls, opens in the Marshall Student Center on the Tampa campus. USF is now home to the only two in Florida. The first location opened last year on the St. Petersburg campus.

   

  The St. Petersburg campus is adding a Kahwa Coffee at the Coral Café, located inside the University Student Center. The Student Center in St. Petersburg will also house the Aramark-developed Local Restaurant Row program, which brings local cuisine from minority- and women-owned small businesses to 727 Eats. Additional information about what is new at USF can be found here.

   

  This week also launches USF’s annual Week of Welcome, which is packed with activities to get students engaged in campus life.  This includes a kickoff event Thursday, Aug. 18, featuring the traditional balloon drop at 7 p.m. in the Marshall Student Center, and a pep rally on Friday, Aug. 26. Fall semester classes start Monday, Aug. 22.

Original source can be found here.