Local Entrepreneurs to Converge on USFSP

Area business owners will get close look at our campus during "Experience the Power of Connection," an event in the College of Business on Friday, June 24.

College of Business Dean Ron Hill, PhD, is co-hosting the event and will speak on corporate social responsibility, the college's Program of Distinction. Mayor Rick Baker and Donald Shea, president and CEO of the Downtown Partnership, will both deliver keynote speeches.

USF St. Petersburg, Merrill Lynch and the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, are hosting the event, designed to help local business owners grow their companies.

"Our focus on Corporate Social Responsibility and Merrill Lynch's interest in unsurpassed customer service will blend well together for an event that showcases talent from various organizations to further our common goal," Hill said. "We look forward to their attendance and participation in this unique event."

For each of the program's three 45-minute sessions, participants can select from one of five topics covering changes in financial reporting, building brand perception, employee benefits, business planning, and securing lender financing. Lectures will be given by COB faculty and business experts in city government and the community.

Participants include COB faculty and campus deans, as well as Merrill Lynch partners and members of the Downtown Partnership and the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce.

Beat the Rush on Parking Permits

Avoid the long lines and turn in your application for a 2005-2006 Parking Permit today. Current USF parking permits expire August 7.

The fees, with sales tax included, are as follows:

• Staff Semester: $83.46
• Staff Green Yearly: $165.85
• Staff Gold Yearly: $278.20
• Reserved Yearly: $663.40

The renewal forms, which have been sent to faculty and staff through intercampus mail, include a payroll deduction option. A limited number of Gold permits will be available on a first come, first served basis.

For more information, contact Parking Services at 553-4480.

Campus Directory Updates Needed

It's time once again for departments to update the USF telephone directory for 2005-2006. Each office is responsible for making the necessary corrections for its area.

To update your department's contact information, open the current copy of the 2004-2005 directory at http://www.usf.edu/ur/directory_0506.pdf (.pdf). Changes may be handwritten on a printed copy or sent via e-mail.

Changes are due to the USF Tampa Office of University Relations, located at mailstop ADM278, by July 31, 2005, and cannot be taken by phone.

For more information, contact Marilyn Stephens at 813-974-9049 or mstephen@admin.usf.edu.

For detailed information on how to make and submit directory updates, please visit: Updating the Campus Directory.

Award Recognizes Debbie Janes, USFSP

The USPS Senate recently honored Debbie Janes, Administrative Assistant to the College of Business Dean, with USF's Quiet Quality Award.

Janes, who has been with the College for nearly three years, was recognized in April for her professionalism, efficiency and overall positive, friendly manner.

"Debbie is the consummate team player," said one of her colleagues, Barbra Higel, COB administrative assistant. "Her energy and work ethic are contagious."

The Quiet Quality Awards were implemented in the fall of 1996 by the USPS Senate, with support from USF administration, to increase employee recognition. To be eligible, nominees must be full- or part-time employees with six months of continuous service at USF.

Campus Master Plan Progresses

Lawmakers in the state Capitol demonstrated support for USF St. Petersburg and its ambitious campus master plan, which has been highlighted by the ongoing construction of Residence Hall One and Parking Center One.

The state legislature approved first-year planning money for the Science and Technology Building, the campus’ first state-funded construction project since the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library in 1994. The facility will host a multitude of labs and offices for science programs and provide space to the USF College of Marine Science.

Earlier this year, the House and Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill that would have allowed the Board of Trustees to request an increase in student fees toward the construction of a Student Center. But last week, the Governor's Office vetoed the proposal.

"I am disappointed that the student initiative did not receive the support of the Governor’s Office,” Regional Chancellor Karen A. White said. “However, I am very proud of our students’ initiative and dedication toward achieving a Student Center. By taking a leadership role, they learned about the legislative process and moved this bill successfully through the House and Senate."

Despite the Governor’s veto, Student Government President Tom Piccolo remains optimistic that students will work together to find a solution.

"Although it is upsetting that that the Student Center bill was vetoed, the students plan to work hard next year to find alternative solutions to fund this facility," Piccolo said. "We are eager to have a Student Center to coincide with the campus’ new residential housing."

Film Presentation Features Torture Survivors Stories
Local torture survivors will have their stories told at a free campus event, "Courage for Tomorrow: United Nations Day in Support of Victims of Torture," on Thursday, June 23 from 2 to 5:30 pm in CAC. The event is presented by the Florida Center for Survivors of Torture, a program of Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services.

Guests will watch a premiere screening of the documentary film, "Eyes that Don’t See, Hearts that Don’t Heal," which recounts the stories of torture survivors from Latin America, Eastern Europe and Africa who now live in Tampa Bay. Following the film, a panel discussion will be led by Terry Coonan, former director for Florida State University’s Center for the Advancement of Human Rights.

The event will also feature USF President Judy Genshaft, PhD, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, and artwork from acclaimed local Cuban artist Carlos Soto, a torture survivor. The program will also include cultural performances and community booths.

For more information, contact Janet Blair or Pat Frederick at Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services at 727-450-7283 or jblair@gcjfs.org.

June Blood Drive

Register for a chance to win a four-day cruise to the Bahamas while helping others in need at this year's June Blood Drive. The drive will be held at the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Circle June 29, from

9:30 am to 5 pm. The circle is located just south of Coquina Hall, at the end of First Street South.

Contact Barry McDowell, Coordinator of Volunteer Services, for more information at 553-4990 or mcdowell@stpt.usf.edu.

For the latest information from HR, visit: USFSP HR Web site

HR Workgroup: FMLA Update

Join this week's Human Resources Workgroup meeting to learn about how USF is centralizing the Family Medical Leave Act process to the Division of HR on Thursday, June 23 from 2 - 3:30 pm in DAV130.

Beginning July 1, 2005 the FMLA process will be centralized at the USF Tampa Human Resources Office.

Three USF Tampa guest speakers will review the history behind FMLA and the responsibilities to ensure compliance with federal law. They will also discuss the USF process and the responsibilities of each employee, college and department.

The speakers will also discuss the new GEMS leave tracking system, which is scheduled to go live in July.

Please encourage all campus supervisors and employees to attend this important meeting.

For more information, contact Human Resources Coordinator Barbara Fleischer at 553-4115 or fleische@stpt.usf.edu.

New Development and Training Programs Available

Sign up today for Organization Development and Training's free summer training programs. These programs are full of activities, tools and discussions to help you excel in your professional and personal life.

Among its offerings, ODT will hold workshops in Communicating, Mentoring and Leading Service Excellence. ODT training programs are open to all USF employees and are held on the Tampa campus in SVC2070.

Register for summer offerings online at www.usf.edu/odt. For more information, contact Gina M. Bonarigo at 813-974-9116.

Jeb's USF Smackdown

St. Petersburg Times

June 19, 2005

Student leaders at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg have so much pride in their growing campus that they offered their own fees as a way to improve it. Why, then, would a governor slam the door in their face?

The special fee, which would pay for a new $11-million student activities center, sailed through both houses of the Legislature by a combined vote of 153-2. One reason is that student government president Tom Piccolo visited the Capitol himself, lobbying for fellow students who soon will live in campus dormitories and offering a constructive solution with a fee students are willing to pay. Lawmakers were duly impressed.

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