Community Invited to Open House This Weekend

This weekend, USF St. Petersburg is opening its doors to prospective students for the Fall Open House Saturday, Oct. 23 from 10 am to 2 pm in the Campus Activities Center.

Guests will have the opportunity to tour USF St. Petersburg's waterfront campus, meet professors and learn how our small classes offer students individual attention at a large national research university. 

Early applications at USF St. Petersburg receive priority consideration. The event is open to the community.

For more information, please visit the Admissions and Enrollment Web site at www.stpt.usf.edu/admissions/index.htm or to schedule a personal campus tour, please call John Vassel at 72-553-4002.

>> See: Full-size Flier

Final Friday Kicks Off United Way Campaign

With thousands still recovering from the hurricanes that swept Florida this season, USF St. Petersburg is kicking off its Annual United Way Campus Campaign Friday, Oct. 29 to help hurricane victims as well as others throughout the state.

The day starts with a Halloween party in the morning at Harborside for children from our community partner, YWCA, and will include activities and a treat bag from USF St. Petersburg for each child. The kick-off will continue for faculty and staff at the monthly Final Friday in the Snell and Williams House Courtyard, hosted by Regional Chancellor Karen A. White and Academic Affairs.

This year, campaign co-chairs Dr. Vivian Fueyo, dean of the College of Education and Bill Benjamin, director of purchasing, will help from students. USF St. Petersburg’s Duke and Duchess Shelby Graham and Daniel Cole will be honorary student co-chairs.

"I'm looking forward to chairing this year’s United Way Campaign because of the opportunity the campaign provides for the students, faculty, and staff to give back to our community," Fueyo said.

Last year, the campus lived up to the United Way's motto, "The best way to help the most people," when faculty and staff raised nearly $9,500, a six percent increase from 2002. The campaign will run through Friday, Nov. 19. Faculty and staff will receive donation information via campus mail. For more information, please contact Fueyo at vfueyo@stpt.usf.edu or Benjamin at Benjamin@stpt.usf.edu.

Academic Convocation Next Week

USF St. Petersburg is continuing another campus tradition with its second annual Academic Convocation Thursday, Oct. 29 at 4 pm in the CAC. Rescheduled from earlier this semester because of Hurricane Charley, the convocation will recognize our faculty's academic excellence and set goals for the upcoming year.

“Academic Convocation is a wonderful tradition because it gives us the opportunity to step back and celebrate the academic enterprise -  the heart of the university and what brings students, faculty and administrators together,” said James Malek, interim regional vice chancellor for academic affairs.

The ceremony will recognize the teaching in excellence honorees from each of the USF St. Petersburg's three colleges – Arts and Sciences, Business and Education. The guest speaker is Donald N. Langenberg, PhD, chancellor emeritus from University System of Maryland. A reception will follow the convocation.

Durand Receives Largest Grant in Campus History

Head banging, hand biting, screaming and face slapping are tactics some children with special needs use to express themselves. But this self-injury can be symptomatic of a spiraling problem that can spin beyond a parent’s grasp.

USF St. Petersburg’s V. Mark Durand, PhD, has been awarded a five-year federal grant from the highly competitive Innovations in Research program of the U.S. Department of Education to investigate the most efficient way to help parents address their child’s behavior.  

The largest grant in USF St. Petersburg’s history, this $892,622 research project could change the way psychologists offer support to parents of special needs children. This research award brings campus research totals to nearly $2.5 million. In FY 2003-04, the campus recruited 51 new faculty members and 13 new administrators to campus and research funding totaled $1.6 million.

>> Read more

Campus Safety Plans Emergency Evacuation Drills

Message from Regional Chancellor Karen A. White

In the interest of better ensuring our community safety, I have asked our Campus Police to begin coordinating and conducting a series of fire evacuation drills for each of our buildings. These will be coordinated with Physical Plant, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), St. Petersburg Fire Department and the various building supervisors.

The timetable for these drills should range from the last week of October until the last week of November, and will be planned to provide minimal disruption to our class and exam schedules. However, due to the critical nature of safety and security measures currently being taken nationwide and throughout our communities, we will require a full evacuation of each building during these drills. These will be closely supervised and documented by our police officers.

Please give these exercises your fullest cooperation, with the understanding that they can only serve to improve our emergency response capability and general safety.

Should you have any questions, please refer them to our Public Safety Director, René Chenevert at (727) 553-4140.

>> See: Evacuation Drill Guidelines

UnBuLLievable Tailgate to Thank USF

To thank university members for their hard-work and dedication, President Judy Genshaft invites all faculty, staff, friends and family to an Appreciation Event at the USF Bulls vs. East Carolina football game Saturday, Nov. 13.

The UnBULLievable Tailgate Party will be held at Raymond James Stadium from 4:30 to 6:45 pm in Parking Lot 6 before kick-off at 7 pm. Guests will enjoy a full plate dinner, beer and soda, game ticket, Punt/Pass/Kick activity with prizes for age group winners, a chance to win an autographed football and the chance to celebrate with the entire university community.

Tickets are $11 per person and can be purchased Monday, Oct. 25 in front of the CAC from 11 am to 1 pm or at the USF Athletic Ticket Office located at the Sun Dome. Tickets can be purchased by cash, check or charge.

>> See: Flier

Bulls Spirit on High after Homecoming Week 2004

Students and Alumni, as well as faculty and staff were adorned in green and gold at USF St. Petersburg last week as the campus community celebrated SuperBull VIII. The week started with a blood drive and campus kick-off announcing the Homecoming Court and Duke and Duchess and the week concluded with Tailgate Bulls Roast and Football Game, with various events between.

“It was great to see many new students and campus members at the events,” said Diana MacDonald, Homecoming chair and elementary education sophomore. “Everyone had so much fun and we look forward to building on this success for next year at USF St. Petersburg.”

During the week four groups of students, Horny U's, Venus Envy, The Cru and The Legal Eagles, participated in a team competition that included a obstacle course, trivia game, banner contest and was highlighted by the campus tradition, cardboard boat race. The Horny U's won the week-long competition and their team were awarded with more than $300 in prizes.

This year’s Duke, Daniel Cole, management and finance senior, and Duchess, Shelby Graham, political science senior, were nominated by Student Government. Both fulfilled their duties by attending various homecoming events on campus, USF Tampa and Raymond James Stadium. As an extension of their duties, Cole and Graham will be honorary student co-chairs in this year’s annual United Way Campus Campaign. The two other students on Homecoming Court are Kristie Martinez, nominated by Lux Mundi and Ashley Hendrickson, nominated by Law Society.

>> See: Photo Gallery

Homecoming Welcomes Special Groups Back

Pinellas County alumni and retired faculty and staff joined Homecoming festivities at a joint event that featured USF’s Heard of Thunder Show Band on the Harborside waterfront last week. The Band provided spirited USF songs such as the Alma Mater and the Fight Song in addition to classic football favorites to get both groups energized for Homecoming.

Retired Faculty and Staff

At the campus' first official event for retired faculty and staff, more than 50 guests joined the celebration, which included a special welcome by Karen A. White, regional chancellor.

“When I came here 15 months ago, I knew immediately that this was a special place and that is because of all of you,” White said.

White caught up with guests on recent campus accomplishments, including campus expansion efforts outlined in the Campus Master Plan, the City of St. Petersburg Beautification Award presented to the campus earlier this month, and outstanding work in the campus’ three Colleges.

Former administrators, Herm Brames and Winston Bridges said that they would like to build on the success of this event and form a steering committee to help plan future events. This committee would also help communicate important campus information to retired campus faculty and staff.

Pinellas County Alumni

Adorned in Bulls attire, a spirited group of alumni joined the celebration to socialize and hear the Herd of Thunder Show Band. Charles Brown, PhD, regional vice chancellor for student affairs, spoke to alumni about campus growth included future projects for a residence hall and student center.

Gene Haines, Pinellas County Alumni Chapter president, also addressed the crowd and updated them on upcoming events including chapter meetings, held the second Tuesday of every month at locations throughout the county.

The next event for the chapter is BullsBlast, a USF football watch party this Friday, Oct. 22 at Varsity Club in Clearwater. Alumni will begin to gather at 5:30 pm for a 8 pm kick-off between USF Bulls and Louisville. For more information on alumni programs, contact Sue Bebernitz, coordinator of alumni programs, at sbebern@spadmin.usf.edu.

>> See: Photo Gallery

Campus Wins City Beautification Award

As a testament to the hard work of Physical Plant staff, the City of St. Petersburg’s City Beautiful Commission honored the campus last week with one of its highest honors. USF St. Petersburg leadership was presented with the Beautification Award in the Outstanding 20-Year category.

Regional Chancellor Karen A. White accepted the plaque on behalf of the campus at the 38th Annual Beautification Awards. White said that this was a tribute to the hard work of Herm Brames, Winston Bridges and Lowell Davis, among others. Thirteen other St. Petersburg organizations and facilities were honored in categories such as Restaurants, Apartments, Offices and Environmental Facility.

The City Beautiful Commission, which consists of 15 non-partisan volunteer members appointed by the City Council, works to assist and promote the beautification of St. Petersburg. For more information on the Commission, please contact the Parks Department at 727-893-7335.

Campus Recruiting Expands Reach

Each year, John Vassel, director of prospective student outreach, and Roy Callihan, minority student recruiter for prospective student outreach, visit more than 50 schools throughout Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough and Sarasota counties, telling high school students about the benefits USF St. Petersburg has to offer.

Vassel focuses on the core principles: the prestige of a large national research university at a small campus with slightly more than 4,700 students, small classes, world-class professors, the opportunity for immediate student involvement and leadership, and of course, the beautiful waterfront view.

When Vassel speaks to prospective students, anyone listening can hear the conviction in his words. It becomes immediately obvious that Vassel is passionate about his job; after all, he graduated from USF St. Petersburg with a bachelor’s in English in 1991.

“Those were the best two years of my life and I want to give potential students the opportunity to have four of the best years of their life on this campus,” said Vassel. “I truly believe in everything we stand for and I want to make sure everyone knows about it.”   

Vassel, who has been in this position since 2000, said he has seen a major change in the community’s awareness of USF St. Petersburg. Campus recruiters have spent a lot of time getting to know high school guidance counselors, displaying USF St. Petersburg information in career and counseling centers and educating potential students and parents about the campus.

This year, Admissions and Enrollment is expanding its efforts through additional marketing, recruiting and outreach to prospective freshmen. They have broadened their boundries beyond Pinellas high schools and community colleges to include schools in South Hillsborough, Pascot, Sarasota and Manatee counties. The department has scheduled two open houses, Oct. 23 and March 5 and additional scholarships are available to those in the top of their class.

Vassel said future plans for Student Outreach include hiring additional recruiters to expand outreach efforts throughout Florida around the country. He would like to attend college fairs in the Northeast U.S. because of increasing high school student interest in the recent years.

For more information on Student Outreach, contact Vassel at vassel@stpt.usf.edu or 553-4002.

>> USF St. Petersburg Open House

Colloquium Features Biology Professor Deby Cassill

The Psychological Science Program's second colloquium, “The Evolution of Inequality and Love,” will recognize Deby Cassill, PhD, assistant professor for Environmental Science, Policy and Geography Program of Distinction, Oct. 28 from 11 am to noon.

Cassill, an animal behavior biologist, developed a conceptual model called ‘skew selection’ that explains human social behavior through research with fire ants.  Cassill’s colloquium will discuss the model and some of the behavioral mechanisms that maintain human inequality, such as greed, sharing and love.

“Contrary to popular belief, the model reveals that Nature is not perfect. Inequalities are at every level of biological organization, from genes to cells to organisms to societies,” said Cassill. However, her skew selection model reveals that inequality leads to a greater good over time. “Turns out, inequality is a beautiful thing.”

For more information on this and future colloquia, please visit the Psychological Science Program Web site at www.stpt.usf.edu/coas/psychology/index.htm.

Professor Darryl Paulson Provides Expert Opinion

As the Presidential Election nears, Political Scientist Professor Darryl Paulson, PhD, has been busy speaking to media throughout the country. Paulson has been interviewed by more than 25 newspapers, including the Tampa Tribune, St. Petersburg Times, Los Angeles Times and London Observer.

He has appeared on the following television stations: WEDU Ch. 3, WFLA News Ch. 8 and WTVT Fox 13, including regular appearances on Your Turn on Fox 13 and Tampa Bay Week in Review on WEDU.  He also has been interviewed by WFLA Radio and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation stations across Canada and for articles in three major journals: Editor and Publisher, National Journal and the upcoming edition of The New Yorker.  

Locally, Paulson was the featured along with Congressman Jim Davis at Inns of Court meeting in Tampa before 75 lawyers and judges on Oct. 12. He will also be the featured speaker at the upcoming USF St. Petersburg and Tampa Town and Gown meeting as well as the Eckerd College symposium on the 2004 Elections in Florida.

Celebrate Inaugural Disability Awareness Week
Adopt a Wheelchair - Wheelchairs will be available Thursday, Oct. 21 from 10 am to 2 pm around campus for faculty, staff and students to try. This is a chance for campus members to experience the everyday challenges of wheelchair-bound students, said Barry McDowell, Disability and Volunteer Services Coordinator.

Movie: My Left Foot - The 1989 Academy Award winning film about a man who triumphs over impossible odds to achieve greatness will be shown throughout the week in the Multicultural Center, TER200. Call 553-4990 for showtimes.

For more information on these and other upcoming events for the first Disability Awareness Week Celebration, contact McDowell at 553-4990 or mcdowell@stpt.usf.edu.

Campus Blood Drive
There will be two buses on campus Wednesday, Oct. 20 because the blood supply in Tampa Bay has dropped to less than a two-day inventory. The buses will be in the FMRI Circle from 8:30 am to 4 pm and in front of Davis Hall from 10:30 am to 6pm. All donors receive a t-shirt and various coupons.

Campus Beach Cleanup

The Keep Pinellas Beautiful Beach Cleanup is Saturday, Oct. 23. For more information or to volunteer, contact Barry McDowell at 553-4990 or mcdowell@stpt.usf.edu.

Help Animals at Annual Paws on Parade Pet Walk

This year USF St. Petersburg will continue its annual tradition of participating in the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal's Paws on Parade Pet Walk. Proceeds from the event benefit the local Pinellas County SPCA, which helps homeless and abused animals.

Festivities for the Paws on Parade Pet Walk begin Saturday, Oct. 23 at 8:30 am at North Shore Park in downtown St. Petersburg. If you would like to support the USF St. Petersburg Tiger Team, you can register to participate or make a donation.

For more information, contact co-captains Sudsy Tschiderer at 553-4842 or Barry McDowell at 553-4622.

>> See: Flier

Make a Difference at the Ronald McDonald House

USF St. Petersburg will volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House for dinner Tues., Oct. 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve the families of children staying at All Children’s Hospital.

For more information, please contact Barry McDowell at 553-4622.

The USF Web Calendar of Events can advertise to campus-wide faculty, staff and to the general public. Events may include lectures, conferences, ceremonies, concerts, sporting events, scholarship events, fundraising events and exhibits. 

The best way to submit your event is to use the central news, events and announcements submission form located here: http://www.stpt.usf.edu/news/submissions.htm