Taking USF Materials into the Top 50

Modeling ourselves after powerhouse institutions such as Rutgers and University of Alabama Birmingham, it is important that the USF system continues to become more unified by improving its branding through correct logo usage and messaging. During a recent system-wide Communications meeting, President Judy Genshaft charged all USF employees to utilize the new USF Visual Identity Standards as the system advances toward its goal of becoming a Top 50 research university.

The Visual Identity Standards manual outlines appropriate ways to use the logo and USF colors for all materials including brochures, fliers, plaques, letterhead and clothing. It even includes vehicles and signage.

To help teams with this consistency, Genshaft approved a system-wide Communications Cabinet with authority to review and approve materials for the system. Pieces are to be reviewed for use of the system, proper logo use and design.

USF St. Petersburg materials that will be distributed externally can be approved by Holly Kickliter, University Relations regional associate vice chancellor, prior to placing an order or requisition for purchase in order to process payment. The College of Marine Science should talk with Rick Harrigan with USF Tampa University Relations at 813-974-9047. It is the responsibility of the department to obtain required approvals and a minimum of 48 hours must be given for review. Any request without proof of approval received prior to production and printing will not be paid.

Kickliter and Purchasing Coordinator, Bill Benjamin, hope to schedule sessions to talk about proper logo usage soon.  For official USF St. Petersburg logos, please visit http://isis.fastmail.usf.edu/ur/logos/stpete.html.

>> See: Visual Identity Standards Manual (.pdf)

Students Take Classes Anytime, Anywhere

Taking advantage of cutting-edge technology, USF St. Petersburg is piloting a course on autism that will enable students to take classes anytime, anywhere.

The course "classroom" is the hand-held Microsoft Windows’ Creative Zen Portable Media Center, just released September 2004. This hand-held device can show videos, TV programs as well as music – much like an iPod with video. V. Mark Durand, PhD, an autism expert who recently received a nearly $900,000 research grant to investigate the best ways to help parents assist their autistic child, converted his autism course to Windows Media Video files for students to watch regardless of their location.

“We believe we are the first in the world to use this new technology for teaching,” Durand, dean of the College of Arts at Sciences said. “We are exploring innovative ways to educate our students and this brand-new technology should make learning even more accessible, particularly for parents of autistic children who are always on the go.”

USF St. Petersburg student and parent of an autistic child, Stacey Solar said, “I really enjoy taking this course in this format; I didn’t think it was going to be this simple. I like that this is more portable than my laptop and it gives me so much more flexibility for my coursework.”

>> Read: Full Article

>> Read: Article in Tampa Bay Business Journal

Anthropologist Discusses Matriarchal Societies

Campus organizations are joining forces to welcome noted scholar Peggy Sanday, PhD, anthropologist and R. Jean Brownlee Endowed Chair from the University of Pennsylvania, to discuss Rape Prone versus Rape Free Cultures: US College Campuses and the Minangkabau of West Sumatra on Wednesday, March 23 at 6:30 pm in DAV130.

Sanday has been recognized for her work on male dominant societies and in this lecture she will discuss Minangkabau, a matriarchal society of four million people in West Sumatra. The lecture, coordinated by the Anthropology and Criminology clubs, the Campus Women’s Collective, Multicultural Center, International Affairs and the Crosswinds Program, is free and open to the public.

Two of Sanday’s books are currently used in USF St. Petersburg classes this semester. Her latest book is Women at the Center: Life in a Modern Matriarchy.

>> For more information, see: Flier (.pdf)

Art Course Invites Campus to String Trio Performance

The pioneering new course, The Arts Connection is putting art into action this semester by visiting local venues and inviting artists and performers to class. Course professors invite the campus community to hear The Hawthorne Trio, the Southwest Missouri State University faculty string trio, Thursday, March 24 at 12 pm in DAV130.

Founded in 1985, the trio has performed across the United States and has recorded for Albany Records. Co-instructors Regional Chancellor Karen A. White and Assistant Professor of Fine Arts Lucy Karl said they really wanted to share the remarkable talent of The Hawthorne Trio with the university. The trio will speak with course students and then perform.

One critic said, “The Hawthorne Trio is focused and expressive in a fashion that doesn't get in the way of the composer. And therein lies the genius of these unpretentious, unsung, remarkable artists.”

Rivers of Florida Lecture Welcomes Noted Author

The latest installment of the Florida Mosaic Lecture Series, The Rivers of Florida: Nature and Culture in Transition, features Bill Belleville, author of River of Lakes and Florida Studies Program writer-in-residence. The lecture is Thursday, March 24 at 4 pm at the Williams House.

Belleville has written more than 1,000 articles in publications such as Audubon, New York Times, Newsweek, Parade and Fast Company. As an environmental writer and documentary filmmaker, Belleville’s themes focus on nature, wildlife, conservation and adventure-travel.

The Florida Mosaic Lecture Series, co-sponsored with Eckerd College, expands ties with academic courses being offered at both institutions and is free and open to the public.

For more on this event and the series, please call 553-4872 or 553-4555. For more information on Belleville, please visit his Web site: http://billbelleville.com/index.htm.

>> See: Florida Mosaic Lecture Series flier (.pdf)

Break Ground for Residence Hall One

The wait is over. Groundbreaking for the student residential housing at USF St. Petersburg is Wednesday, March 30 at 1 pm on the corner of Fifth Avenue South and Second Street.

The Groundbreaking Ceremony for Residence Hall One will feature USF President Judy Genshaft, Regional Chancellor Karen A. White and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker for a ceremonial first dig.

The first phase of the estimated $18.3 million facility will offer students apartment-style living and will include 354 beds in a seven-story building. The project is slated for completion Fall 2006 and is headed by Jacksonville-based Elkins Constructors and KBJ Architects, Inc.

The next project for the Campus Master Plan is a parking garage with more than 1,500 spaces that features a two-story Barnes & Noble Booksellers conveniently located off I-175.

Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Speeds Closer

As the race date nears for the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the Office of Public Safety is working to minimize the impact this event could have on our campus.

The Grand Prix is Friday, April 1 through Sunday, April 3. The City of St. Petersburg is expected to reroute traffic in areas causing additional delays. Because of its proximity to USF St. Petersburg, please allow additional travel and parking time if you are visiting campus.

Only Lot 12, located at the corner of First Street and Sixth Avenue South will be unavailable, all other lots can be used by faculty, students and staff. Parking will be controlled by Central Parking, so please bring your USF hangtag or previously purchased daily permit.

If you have any questions, please contact John Spicuglia at 553-4140 or spicugli@stpt.usf.edu.

Find Out About USF Reclassification Updates

The Human Resources Workgroup invites the campus community to hear about the USF classification redesign project by Bill Silberman, who works in the USF Tampa Human Resources Compensation Department. The meeting is Thursday, March 31 at 2 pm in CAC133.

“Bill will provide us with information regarding the project goals and objectives, timeline and communication plan,” Barbara Fleischer said. “We are opening this meeting up to all campus members because this is an important topic that will impact all areas of our campus.”

Please RSVP to Fleischer at 553-4115 to reserve your space.  

Keep Pinellas Beautiful Beach Cleanup

Invite your friends and family and join Volunteer Services for the Keep Pinellas Beautiful Beach Cleanup Saturday, March 19 from 9 to 11 am in the Tierra Verde Bridge area. Gloves and water will be provided. Please contact Barry McDowell at 553-4990 or mcdowell@stpt.usf.edu to volunteer.