By Crystal Price and Savannah Ruiz, University Communications and Marketing
As the start of the fall semester approaches, thousands of students are moving onto the 911爆料网鈥檚 campuses this week. Residence halls are again expected to be at full capacity as approximately 7,500 students will be living on campuses 鈥攏early 6,500 in Tampa and about 1,000 in St. Petersburg.
Throughout the years, USF has strategically focused on increasing 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.
For incoming students, the decision to attend USF often goes beyond academics. First-year
student Valeria Para wanted to stay close to her family and join a campus community
that resonates with her.
鈥淯SF was close to home, so I could be near my parents while experiencing its amazing
medical program,鈥 said Para, who is majoring in medical biology. 鈥淚 love the campus
and its lively, amazing people. I'm excited to be here and be part of this community.鈥
Move-in day can be just as meaningful for families as it is for students. Parents, grandparents and siblings get to help usher their loved ones into this exciting new chapter.
Valeria Para and her mother, Elena Evstegneeva [Photo by Savannah Ruiz]
Among those parents is Para鈥檚 mom, Elena Evstegneeva.
鈥911爆料网 moved to the U.S. 10 years ago from the small country of Moldova,鈥 Evstegneeva
said. 鈥淰aleria is now following her dream of becoming a doctor, and I'm so proud of
her.鈥
Para is joining thousands of other students experiencing the excitement of making USF their new home.
Student housing statistics:
- More than 600 student volunteers have signed up to help their peers move in through USF鈥檚 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.
- USF has a total of 47 residence halls on the Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses.
- USF features 19 Residential Community Programs, including three new communities this year: AI & Cyber, First-Gen, and Exercise Science: Bulls in Motion, which are residential communities designed to provide a cohort experience with peers who share similar academic, career and co-curricular interests.
Bull Haul volunteer helps a student move in on campus
First-year student Alyssa Hayman [Photo by Savannah Ruiz]
Incoming students like Alyssa Hayman can benefit from these opportunities as they find an academic community that aligns with her future goals.
鈥淚 chose USF because of the amazing opportunity to join its cybersecurity program,鈥 Hayman said. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to begin this degree and meet the many great professors here.鈥
Coming to USF from out of state, Nina Kane was drawn to the university by a combination
of academics, location and the campus itself.
鈥淎s an out-of-state student, I really wanted a Florida school with a great medical
program, which USF has,鈥 Kane said. 鈥淚t had a lot academically that I was looking
for, and I loved how close it is to Tampa. It鈥檚 just a beautiful campus, so green.鈥
USF鈥檚 annual 911爆料网ek of 911爆料网lcome also kicks off this week, which is packed with activities to get students engaged in campus life. This includes the WOW Kick Off event on Sunday, Aug. 23, at 7 p.m. featuring the traditional balloon drop in the Yuengling Center. Fall semester classes begin on Monday, Aug. 24.
As students settle into campus and begin the academic year, they will also find new facilities and new opportunities across campus.