Campus Community Invited to Anniversary Kick-Off

The campus community is encouraged to attend a full day of festivities on Wednesday, Sept. 7 to mark the 40th Anniversary of USF St. Petersburg, and celebrate our history while looking ahead toward the future.

Sept. 7 is a date of special significance, as it was the first day of classes at USF St. Petersburg in 1965.

The premiere event is the Anniversary Celebration, which will feature           St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker reading a proclamation to announce Sept. 7, 2005 as USF St. Petersburg Day. The event, located in the breezeway between Bayboro Hall and the library at 4 pm, will also include a giant cake cutting.

"Our 40th anniversary is an opportunity to honor our past, celebrate our accomplishments, and reflect on our aspirations for the future," said Kathy Arsenault, 40th Anniversary chair and dean of the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library. "I hope many of you will join us to welcome Mayor Baker, enjoy cake and punch, and celebrate your own contributions that make USF St. Petersburg the fine institution that it is today."

The day begins with two events — a celebration of faculty excellence at Academic Convocation as well as Campus Showcase, an event for students to learn about everything USF St. Petersburg has to offer. Convocation begins at 11:30 am in the CAC while the Campus Showcase is on the Harborside from 11 am to 2 pm and 4 pm to 6 pm.

For more information about the 40th Anniversary and Sept. 7 events, please contact University Relations at 553-4256.

>> See Sept. 7, 2005 Schedule of Events (.pdf)

Campus Invited to Attend Academic Convocation

In a continuing tradition to recognize the excellence of our campus faculty, USF St. Petersburg will hold its third annual Academic Convocation Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 11:30 am in the CAC.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to attend the luncheon event to officially kick-off the 40th Anniversary celebration. The event will recognize the teaching in excellence honorees from each of USF St. Petersburg's three colleges – Arts and Sciences, Business and Education.

The ceremony will include a systemwide update from President Genshaft, remarks by Regional Chancellor Karen A. White and a presentation by guest speaker Nancy Belck, chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

“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 Mark Durand, PhD, regional vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.

For more information or to RSVP by Wednesday, Aug. 31, please contact Myrna Adams in Academic Affairs at 553-4890 or adamsm@stpt.usf.edu.

Show your Bulls Spirit at the Campus' Football Night

As the USF Bulls football season quickly approaches, mark Saturday, Sept. 17 on your calendar for the annual USF St. Petersburg night at Raymond James Stadium.

Join faculty, staff, students, alumni and guests as the USF Bulls take on the University of Central Florida Knights. Plus, the campus will premiere a 60-second video of the campus to celebrate our 40th Anniversary.

Each faculty or staff member, with a current valid USF ID card, can receive up to four tickets. Tickets are available in the CAC the week of Monday, Sept. 12 and are available on a first come first serve basis. On Thursday, Sept. 15, remaining tickets will be made available to students.

For more information, please call University Relations at 553-4256.

Help Give Students a Warm Welcome Back to Campus

To kick-off Fall 2005, Student Life has prepared A Warm Welcome — numerous events for new and returning students to reacquaint them with USF St. Petersburg. Faculty and staff are invited and encouraged to attend all activities.

Activities for A Warm Welcome 2005 include

Freshman Convocation

Sunday, Aug. 28, 2 pm - 4 pm in the CAC

Sponsored by Student Affairs

A ceremony to welcome new students and their families to campus

Welcome Back Soda Shack

Aug. 29 - Sept. 1, 10 am - 2 pm and 4 pm - 6 pm in Davis Parking Lot

Sponsored by the Harborside Activities Board

Campus representatives at the soda shack will provide free soda and campus information, such as maps and class schedules

Academic Success Center Open House

Tuesday, Aug. 30, 12 pm - 4 pm in Terrace 301

Join the campus for a ribbon cutting at 12:15 pm to celebrate the grand opening of this new center, a place to meet students' academic needs

Welcome Back Extravaganza

Wednesday, Aug. 31 from 11 am - 2 pm on the Harborside

Enjoy a welcome back barbeque, live Caribbean music, hourly giveaways and much more thanks to Student Government and Student Life

Fitness Center Open House

Thursday, Sept. 1, 12 pm - 4 pm, Campus Activities Center

Join the campus for a ribbon cutting at 12:15 pm and then check out the newly-renovated fitness center and enjoy free giveaways and snacks

Other upcoming activities include a Sailing Regatta and Campus Showcase.

For a complete schedule of events, please download A Warm Welcome 2005 schedule of events (.doc). For more information, please contact Regina Young Hyatt, Student Life director, at ryhyatt@spadmin.usf.edu or call 553-4180.  

Bookstore Upgrades Products

Faculty, staff and students looking to grab a bite and find a comfortable place to relax will be pleased to know they have new option available to them: the campus bookstore.

The bookstore, located in Coquina Hall, now carries a variety of frozen foods, including bagel bites, pizza, rice bowls,and a line of food by TGI Fridays, including buffalo wings, popcorn chicken, and potato skins.

The freezer case is situated immediately to your right as you enter the bookstore. Plus, a microwave, utensils, sofa, and television are located at the back of the store, where you can heat up your food, sit back and relax.

For more information, please call the bookstore at 553-1173.

Don't Miss Freshman Convocation this Sunday

USF St. Petersburg will formally welcome the Fall 2005 freshman to the university at a special ceremony this Sunday, Aug. 28 in the CAC.

Freshman Convocation, which started last year as a new systemwide tradition, has been dubbed the “seal ceremony” because shares core campus values such as the globalization of education, that are illustrated in the university seal.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to attend the event to welcome incoming freshmen and their parents as they learn about campus traditions and meet members of the campus community.

“Convocation is the conclusion to new student orientation," said Student Life Director Regina Young Hyatt. "It is our way to welcome freshman into the USF St. Petersburg community.”

Students will have the opportunity to meet campus notables including Student Government President Tom Piccolo, Regional Chancellor Karen A. White, and winner of the 2004 Excellence in Teaching Award Brett Jones.

A reception will follow the ceremony. For more information, please contact Jennifer Quinn Taylor at 553-4181.

Deadline Extended: Attend Cirque du Soleil

Reserve your tickets for a performance by Cirque du Soleil under the tent at Tropicana Field, Dec. 9 at 8 pm. A limited number of tickets have been reserved for the campus community.

Ticket prices:

• $70 - Adults
• $63 - Students 13 and older, and seniors 65 and older
• $49 - Children (ages 2-12)

Please RSVP to DeeLynn Rivinius at 553-4264 or rivinius@spadmin.usf.edu by Wednesday, Aug. 31 with the number and category of tickets you wish to purchase. Payment must be made at the time of reservation.

Submit Fall Events to the Campus Calendar

As the fall semester quickly approaches, make sure to utilize one of the campuses best publicity tools: the online campus Calendar of Events. The calendar is located at www.stpt.usf.edu/calendar.htm.

The campus Calendar of Events is one of the most widely viewed campus Web sites and helps you effectively broadcast your event to thousands of people — both within the campus community and throughout the community at large — who access the USF St. Petersburg Web site each month.

Appropriate events include guest speakers, student activities, volunteer opportunities, special events, and anything else that is open to the campus and/or public.

For more information, please contact University Relations at 553-4256. Or, submit your upcoming events today at www.stpt.usf.edu/news/submissions.htm.

Students Save Trip to Tampa for Football Tickets

Currently, all USF students receive a free ticket to USF Football games when they present a valid USF ID card at the game. But, USF Athletics is making it a little easier for students to purchase companion tickets prior to the game.

Now USF regional campus students can purchase tickets prior to the game at a discounted rate, via a signup sheet instead of driving to Tampa campus.

Companion tickets for USF Football are $16 in advance and $21 on game day. All seats are general admission in the student section.

To receive the advance rate, students must sign up by noon on the day before the game. 

For more information, please call the USF Tampa ticket sales office at 1-800-GoBulls from Monday through Friday 8 am to 6 pm.

Hurricane Related Information

As Florida experiences another active hurricane season, University Relations is including articles in eNews to keep you prepared for emergency situations. Your safety is the campus' number one priority.

Preparing Your Office for an Emergency Situation

In the event of a hurricane, protecting the valuable items in your office or laboratory will be high on your list of priorities, and knowing the proper steps to take is essential.

First, make sure to move large objects such as desks and filing cabinets away from windows and open doorways, and close all blinds and shades.

Next, protect your books, papers, and other valuables by covering them with plastic sheeting and storing them inside cabinets, boxes or an interior room. After making a back-up of your computer hard drives, be sure to unplug all of your electrical equipment and wrap them in thick plastic, sealing the ends with tape.

If your area is susceptible to flooding, remove contents from the bottom drawers of desks and filing cabinets.

Please see Preparing Your Office or Laboratory for a Hurricane (.pdf) for a complete list of steps you should take to prepare for a hurricane.

To learn more about the campus’ Emergency Operations Plans, visit www.stpt.usf.edu/police/eop_archive.htm or contact the chair of the Emergency Operations Committee, Abdul Nasser, at 553-4466.

For the latest information from HR, visit: USF SP HR Web site

Automated Leave Tracking System

USF has developed a new automated online leave tracking system to make calculating and maintaining accurate leave balances more efficient.

The new system, set to go live on Oct. 1, 2005, will manage leave requests, leave approvals, accrual of leave earned, and will record leave taken.

To preview the tracking system, please visit http://usfweb2.usf.edu/hr/A&L/AutomatedLeave/AuotmatedLeave.htm.

New Health Insurance Options Available

On June 1, Governor Bush signed Senate Bill 424, granting the Department of Management Services the authority to expand health insurance options under the State Group Insurance Program. Below is a summary of actual and possible changes for 2006:

Actual Changes

• Standard State Group PPO Health Plan: The current Standard PPO Plan is the same plan we have with a slight premium increase
• Standard State Contracted HMO Plan:  The standard HMO Plan is the same HMO Plan we have with a slight premium increase
• High Deductible Health Plan - State Group PPO Plan: This is a new PPO, low premium, high deductible plan
• High Deductible Health Plan - State Contracted HMO Plan: This is a new HMO, low premium, high deductible plan
• Health Savings Account: The PPO High Deductible Health Plan and the HMO High Deductible Health Plan will include a Health Savings Account feature in which the state shall make a monthly contribution. The Health Savings Account combines a high deductible health plan with a tax-free savings account.

Possible Changes

• More HMO Carriers  
• Increase in “Medical” Reimbursement Account maximum pledge amount from $2,400 to $3,000
• Extension of deadline for Flexible Spending Accounts by two and a half months (IRS Notice 2005-42) from Dec. 31 to March 15

By keeping the anticipated benefits changes in mind for the State Group Insurance Program, the following are the health insurance rates for 2006:

Standard Plan

Individual Coverage:       $ 50

Family Coverage:           $180

High Deductible Health Plan

Individual Coverage:       $ 15

Family Coverage            $ 64.30

For more information, please visit the campus' HR Web site at www.stpt.usf.edu/adminservices/hr.

August Blood Drive: Your Chance to Save Lives

In just a few minutes, you can save lives. Donate blood at the August Blood Drive on Wednesday, Aug. 31 from 8 am to 6 pm. Donations can be made at blood-mobiles located in front of Davis Hall and FWRI.

For more information, please contact Barry McDowell at 553-4990 or mcdowell@stpt.usf.edu.

Volunteer at the Campus Soda Shack

Volunteer at the Welcome Back Soda Shack during the first week of classes and give a warm (or cool) welcome to USF St. Petersburg students. Volunteers can serve sodas or greet students from Monday, Aug. 29 to Thursday, Sept. 1. One-hour shifts are available daily from 10 am to 6 pm. 

Greeters will provide directions and give information to students regarding where classes are being held.

To sign up, contact Student Life Director Regina Young Hyatt at ryhyatt@spadmin.usf.edu or call 553-4180.