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Newsroom

New This Year. Graphic thumbnail says, "new this year" in front of a photo of buildings on the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢Tampa campus.

New This Year

The start of the fall semester is especially exciting this year because it marks the beginning of USF’s first academic year as a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). Bulls returning to аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢will enjoy new facilities, campus recreation and dining options on all three campuses. Check out the list below to find out what’s new this year.

STUDENT HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER

Student Health Services is now serving patients in its new, three-story, 47,000-square-foot facility on the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢Tampa campus with Bulls Country Pharmacy on the first floor. Students can receive general medical, primary care, urgent care and specialty services, including immunizations, behavioral health and nutrition. 

Exterior of the Student Health and Wellness Center

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE

The new home of the Judy Genshaft Honors College is now open to students on the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢Tampa campus. The five-story, 85,000-square-foot facility features open-design classrooms, 39 signature learning lofts and dedicated studio spaces for art, food and culture, along with music and technology. The building is also now home to the Office of National Scholars on the second floor and Buddy Brew café on the main floor. This significant milestone is thanks in part to the vision and historic lead gift from аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢President Emerita Judy Genshaft and Steven Greenbaum.

On the left, exterior shot of the Judy Genshaft Honors College building. On the right, Buddy Brew counter.

RESEARCH VESSEL WESTERN FLYER

is docked at its new home port on the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢St. Petersburg campus. The ship was granted to аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and is the most technologically advanced vessel in the Florida Institute of Oceanography fleet. The Western Flyer will not only embark on new research missions but will also serve as a classroom on the water.

Research Vessel Western Flyer in the water at sunset

THE CHALSTY REHABILITATION EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING LABORATORY

The аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences has launched a new state-of-the-art simulation lab – – revolutionizing the way students gain practical experience in the field. Designed to simulate real-world environments, the lab offers a safe space for students to hone their skills and become acquainted with the intricacies of patient care.

Two students using a sheet to turn a student onto their side from a hospital bed

WATER TOWER

Look out for the unveiling of the 212-foot water tower’s new design this year. The iconic 26-year-old water tower is responsible for pressurizing and supplying drinking water to the majority of buildings on the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢Tampa campus. Its revitalization is one of the most publicly recognizable projects being funded by an investment of nearly $73 million in last year’s state budget to support USF’s Capital Renewal Program, which addresses a portion of the university’s deferred maintenance needs across all three campuses. The 87 projects are set to be completed throughout the next three years.

Shape of the water tower with question mark is seen in the distance behind a lake and bridge on campus

CAMPUS RECREATION

PICKLEBALL COURTS
The аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢St. Petersburg campus now has two pickleball courts located behind the University Student Center. Portable nets are set up on the outdoor basketball courts, and paddles and balls are available at the Edge or Fitness Center during open recreation times. Pickleball has been the fastest growing sport in America for the last three years, and a showed St. Petersburg features nearly 20 courts per 100,000 residents, second most in the nation.

Four students standing on a USF-branded pickleball court, holding out pickleball rackets and showing go bulls hand gestures

PONTOON BOAT
Students, faculty and staff can now enjoy a spacious and comfortable ride on the bay in a new pontoon boat. Taking off from the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢St. Petersburg campus, the boat can accommodate up to 12 people and be used for cruising, fishing or overnight camping. for more information on how to book the boat.

Three students sitting in a docked pontoon boat

RESIDENCE HALLS

Construction of the first-ever student center and residence hall on the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢Sarasota-Manatee campus is under way, marking the of the campus since it opened in 2006. The six-story, 100,000-square-foot building is set to open for the fall 2024 semester, and students will be able to apply for housing soon.

Construction site of the new dorms on the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢Sarasota-Manatee campus.

DINING

COCA-COLA FREESTYLE FLAVOR
аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢is the first university in Florida to launch a custom beverage on campus – Rocky’s Refresher. It’s part of a pilot for the Coca-Cola Company’s custom freestyle program. The beverage, which is made up of Fanta Lime, Sprite and Minute Maid Limeade, is now available for a limited time inside the Coca-Cola freestyle machines in the Marshall Student Center food court and BurgerFi on the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢Tampa campus.  

Graphic says, grab your thirst by the horns. Image of lime green Fanta soda that says, Rocky's Refresher

813 QUICK EATS
Also a first, аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢is one of the first universities in the nation to launch an AI-controlled convenience store. It’s located in the Marshall Student Center’s retail hallway. Customers will need to download the mobile app or swipe their credit card before entering 813 Quick Eats. Cameras are strategically placed with sensors that capture when guests enter the store. Deep learning models trained on the products identify when a guest picks up or puts back an item, generating a shopping basket. Purchases are made just by leaving the store with the item – no lines or check-out process required. 

Rendering of 813 Quick Eats automated convenience store

ROCKY ON THE ROAD
Keep your eyes out for the Rocky on the Road truck driving around the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢Tampa campus every week. The truck will be handing out freebies such as water, popsicles and ice cream, occasionally operating as a pop-up to sell аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢merchandise.

Small green truck painted with an image that says, Rocky On The Road, with a picture of Rocky on campus

KAHWA COFFEE
St. Petersburg-based Kahwa Coffee has replaced Starbucks in the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢Bookstore Café on the Tampa campus. Deemed the Best of the Bay by Creative Loafing, Kahwa is serving up coffee, espresso, nitro cold brew, teas and pastries. There are additional Starbucks locations in the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢Library and Pinnacle Hall.

A stack of chocolate chip cookies next to a Kahwa coffee cup

LOCAL HOT SAUCE ROW
Get ready for heat that rivals the temperature outside. A selection of hot sauces is now available at The Hub dining hall located in The Village on the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢Tampa campus. аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢Dining is partnering with local companies in Tampa to provide diners at the all-you-care-to-eat facility with a spicy addition to the available condiments. Local Hot Sauce Row kicks off with The Florida Man Hot Sauce Company, Intensity Academy Gourmet Sauces, Tampa Bay Hot Sauce Company and Stanky Sauce. Look out for a new hot sauce lineup every semester.

A group of students sitting and eating together at a table at The Hub

LOCKERS

FEED-A-BULL
Coming soon to the Marshall Student Center is a new pick-up option for the Feed-A-Bull Food Pantry. Students in need will be able to choose to have their online orders sent to a refrigerated locker located near the vending machines on the first floor. The lockers help expand Feed-A-Bull's services by not only offering a pick-up location that’s available outside of the pantry’s operating hours, but one that is a more private experience. Currently, students can drop in for food during open hours or pre-order groceries online to be picked up at the pantry.

Lockers that are decorated to say, because no student should ever go hungry, feed-a-bull.

ATHLETICS

NEW COACHES

  • , sixth head coach of аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢football, made his on-field debut at the 27th annual Spring Game in April, giving Bulls fans a preview of the new era of аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢football. USF’s first game is Sept. 2 at Western Kentucky and first home game is Sept. 9 at Raymond James Stadium. The university is on track to build an on-campus stadium near the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢Athletics district with construction expected to be completed in 2026.
  • , 11th head coach of аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢men’s basketball, will make his on-court debut at USF’s first home basketball game of the season in November at the Yuengling Center.
Alex Golesh and Amir Abdur-Rahim

аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Construction of the on the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢Tampa campus is scheduled to begin this fall and finish by the summer. , first head coach of аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢beach volleyball, has been active on the recruiting trail and announced that the team will train during the 2024-2025 academic year and begin competition in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Rendering of the beach volleyball court next to the Yuengling Center

HEALTH CARE

TIMELYCARE
The free behavioral health mobile app, TimelyCare, now includes a community forum resource. It offers a broad range of scheduled and on-demand care specifically for college students, no insurance required. The app is available 24 hours a day to currently enrolled аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢students on all three campuses.

Timelycare, mental health care from anywhere

MO-BULL NURSE MEDICAL CLINIC
Students from the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢colleges of Nursing, Public Health and Pharmacy will be onboard the , receiving hands-on training while making quality health care more accessible to people in the Tampa Bay region. The recreational vehicle-turned-state-of-the-art facility has two climate-controlled treatment rooms, a laboratory/diagnostic center with safe vaccine storage, a restroom, a waiting area and 5G cellular service. It is now serving five critical areas of need in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties – Port Tampa Bay, Sulphur Springs, Tampa Heights, Wimauma and South St. Petersburg. 

Mo-bull Nurse Medical Clinic

for more new opportunities on the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÄÚÄ»ÐÅÏ¢St. Petersburg campus.

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