During your Stay
Table of contents:
Resources for Incoming Students
General information regarding USF can be found at About USF.
USF has a multitude of activities to participate in such as:
- Greek Life
- Student Government
- University Lecture Series
- Multicultural Affairs etc…
A full list of organizations with descriptions and how to get involved can be found at The Center for Student Involvement.
New Student Connections is a great site to explore student life at USF and discover what activities and events you would like to be a part of, and there will be a monthly new student newsletter – Connect-A-Bull – sent to students USF email which highlights key campus programs, critical university deadlines, and common transition roadblocks as well as events happening that month.
The Marshall Student Center is the home of the Student Union and is the best place to find information regarding THINGS TO DO on campus and also home to the Dining Services Office, USF Credit Union, and the USF I.D Issuing Office.
The Marshall Center has ATM stations and is one of three locations [the others being: Holly M, and the Library] where you can top up your student I.D with cash for your laundry or printing. Laundry facilities are $.75 each for the washer and dryer. The machines accept quarters, but usually students top up their I.D cards and use them when paying for the facilities.
Insiders tip: The computer lab in the basement of the Marshall Center allows each student to print 30 free pages (color/black/white) per day and use the scanners which will save you paying as you would in the library. Holly M (housing office) is open 24/7 and is one of the locations where you can top up your card at any time.
A good idea would be to join MoBull Plus which is a free text message service that will send texts to your cell to keep you up to date on things happening at USF, whether it is emergency warnings, the latest event in the Marshall Center, or class being cancelled for the day.
There are various places on campus where you can relax and have a coffee or frappuccino, such as Starbucks which is conveniently located in the Library and also in the Marshall Center. You will find the Barnes and Noble Bookstore is in the Marshall Center and here you can buy textbooks as well as the latest bestseller. They also carry an eclectic variety of USF memorabilia and clothing.
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Transportation Options
The Bull Runner is the free shuttle bus service that runs around campus and the surrounding areas to Wal-Mart, and the University Mall Plaza. It does not run all night so it’s a good idea to check hours of operation and as there are different routes, check which bus is needed.
If for some reason a student is stranded somewhere with no money and cannot get home, have no fear as there is the Emergency Ride Home program in place for that very reason! Just go online and register.
USF’s Safe Team is a free escort service to and from any on-campus location from 7pm-2am each night and 8pm-1am during summer. Call 974-SAFE to get that ride.
University Police is available 24hrs/7 days a week and there are blue light phones dotted throughout campus for emergency use. Safety whistles are available at the Marshall Center Info desk for pick up. You must sign a contract saying you will not abuse the whistle.
The local bus service in Tampa is operated by HART and is free for students. While I recommend that it is unsafe to travel on alone at night, it is a great option to get around with friends if you’re not in a hurry to reach your destination. It has an extensive list of routes and # 6, #57 and # 5 have routes through campus, and the actual transit station is next to Wal-Mart and is accessible by the bull runner, only 5 minutes away from campus.
A great way to get around campus is bicycling. USF is bicycle friendly with bike racks outside the dorms as well as classrooms, and the HART buses have bike racks so you can travel longer distances. Bike registration is available at no charge. A good site to find out more about bicycling around Tampa is Tampa Bay Cycle; it has resources and links for the bicyclist enthusiast.
The University Bicycle Center is a good place to keep in mind, as you can sell your bike back to them if you’re leaving the country. Wal-Mart is a good choice for inexpensive bikes.
For those of you who have cars, make sure to check out the general rules and regulations of cars on campus, and information on parking and motorist assistance.[ Free service provided from 8:00 am until 8:30 pm, M-Th and from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm Fri (except holidays and deals with issues regarding: opening your car when you have locked your keys inside, providing air in the event of a flat tire and jump starting your car.
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Other Useful Services
Feed-a-Bull is a student’s lifeline on campus! They are a service which delivers food right to your dorm room or anywhere on campus. To place an order just call 813-914-0000. There is no need to call the restaurant, because they have made special arrangements with the restaurants to place and pick up orders quickly. There is a minimum order amount of $15 and the processing fee is only $2.50.
The USF Post Office is located on USF Holly Drive, East of the water tower and across the street from the theatre building.
USF has great recreation facilities such as the gym and pool and a variety of classes which are free for students. Interestingly, outside the dorm buildings of the Andros Complex, there are basketball, volleyball, and even tennis courts for your use. Curves is a gym for women only and is only 5 minutes away by car. USF also caters for those interested in outdoor activities such as canoeing and kayaking. These take place at the Riverfront Park and it is a great place to witness river wildlife such as alligators, fish and turtles and enjoy the picnic grounds.
Sport plays a big part of campus life here at USF, and the best way to immerse yourself in school spirit and meet fellow students is at the various games held on campus. USF’s Sun Dome is an impressive multipurpose 11,400 seat arena and is home to NCAA USF’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams. It also hosts different events each year, including sporting events, concerts, home and garden shows, trade shows, religious services and conventions, ethnic festivals, rodeos, bull riding competitions, youth sports camps, wrestling, boxing, Taekwondo tournaments, gymnastics and cheerleading competitions, commencement ceremonies, lectures and political rallies among other corporate, community and university events. The official Athletic Site of USF has all the upcoming events and games and you can even purchase merchandise to show how proud you are to be a Bull!
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Things of Interest Close to Campus
Busch Gardens is an amusement park very near campus. The theme park is one of America's largest zoological institutions, with more than 2,700 animals. Attractions include rollercoaster’s and food courts.
Adventure Island is a water park next door to Busch Gardens. Insiders tip: The day pass costs the same as a yearly pass so buy the yearly pass at only $ 80 for both parks and $ 60 just for Busch Gardens and go for an unlimited amount. It is called a Florida residents pass and just requires you to put in your area code, use the one on campus. For those of you 21 and over, the beer brewery inside the park offers 2 cups of beer free.
The Museum of Science and Industry is just across from campus and holds an IMAX theater and changes its exhibitions every few months.
The Meridian Hookah Lounge is 5 minutes from campus and is a very popular place with students as it offers a relaxed socializing atmosphere where one can sit down with friends and chat the night away. It is a perfect alternative for those who do not want to be in a setting with alcohol. Every night also has a different genre of music, whether it be live or a DJ; it is a good place to discover new musical talent.
The University Area Hangout is a local hotspot for students 21 and over. You can still be admitted in if over 18 but drinking alcohol is prohibited. It has a vast selection of pool tables, dart machines, snack food and live music.
The University Area Mall is serviced by shuttle D, and has a large variety of shops and services as well as food court and cinema.
Mr Dunderbaks is an authentic German restaurant/bar which serves imported German food, delicacies and beer. It is located inside the University Mall.
Wal-Mart is very close to USF and the bull shuttle D runs past it. Anything and everything you can imagine is stocked here. It is a good and inexpensive superstore. Return to Top
Things of interest in and around Tampa
Tampa is home to quite a few major Sport Team giants, such as:
The NFL Buccaneers Football Team
The MLB Devil Ray Baseball Team
The NHL Tampa Bay Lightening Hockey Team
Tampa also takes pride in being the spring training ground for the New York baseball team; The Yankees. They train at Legends Field which is directly across from The Raymond James Stadium where the Buccaneers play.
The St Pete Times Forum is next to Channelside and is home to the Ice Hockey team but is also know for hosting concerts.
Florida Aquarium is in Downtown Tampa next to Channelside which is a 25 minute drive and 1 hr 10 by public transit.
Lowry Park Zoo
Ybor City is a fantastic place to experience as it is Tampa’s Latin Quarter, but can be dangerous at night so make sure you go with friends. It is 18 minutes away by car and 40 minutes by public transit. There are a multitude of restaurants, nightclubs, bars and historic museums. Ybor, Channelside and Hyde Park are the main places people go out to experience night life.
The closest beaches to Tampa would be Clearwater and St Petersburg’s and they are approx. 40 minutes away by car. There are many nice beaches in between, such as Treasure Island and Indian Rocks etc...
Tarpon Springs is notable for having the highest percentage of Greek Americans in any city in the U.S. It is 40 minutes away by car and is famous for its sponge docks. It boasts authentic Greek restaurants and a mixture of antique shops, art galleries, and specialty shops, the Sponge Docks offer something of interest for everyone.
Bayshore Boulevard holds the world’s longest uninterrupted sidewalk. It is great for walking, jogging and rollerblading.
Ginnie Springs is a freshwater campground famous for its magnificent diving opportunities.
The International Plaza is an upscale mall that hosts designer boutiques as well as a cinema and food court. It also has high end bars and restaurants that stay open past mall hours. It is 26 minutes away by car.
Westshore Plaza is on the same level as the International Plaza. It has some restaurants and they stay open past mall hours.
Tampa Performing Arts holds concerts, performances and events. It has one of the nation’s leading Broadway series and is regarded for producing grand Opera. It also hosts a variety of classes if your interested in acting.
The Salvador Dali Museum is free for students (Usually $20) and is located in downtown St Petersburg, about 43 minutes away by car. It holds the largest collection of Dali’s work in the world, and the exhibition is changed every few months.
Channelside is an area by the Bay that is home to upscale restaurants and bars. It is 24 minutes away by car and 1 hour by public transit.
Orlando is an hour away and houses some of the U.S best attractions. Disney World, Epcot, Universal, etc…
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Festivals in Tampa
The Tropical Heat wave Festival is a music event held in May every year in Ybor.
Guavaween is celebrated in October and is an annual open street Halloween celebration with Latin style.
Gasparilla is held in late January, and the theme is an "invasion" by Gasparilla and his men, which begins when the "Krewe" (made up of residents of the city) arrives on a 165' long pirate ship, the Jose Gaspar, in Tampa Bay and land near downtown Tampa. The mayor of Tampa then lends the key of the city to the pirate captain and a parade ensues down Bayshore Boulevard, one of Tampa's major streets. The krewes throw beads, coins and other items while shooting blank pistols from floats during the parade. The average attendance for the event is over 400,000 people.
Helpful Links
Creative Loafing is a weekly online and hard copy newspaper focusing on local culture, events and entertainment. A great resource for local events.
Craigslist is a network of online communities featuring free classified adverts such as jobs, housing and items. It is a good resource to keep in mind if you ever need to sell or buy items.
A very important note: The drinking age in America is 21, and it is a rule that is enforced very strongly. While you may be allowed into establishments 18 and over, you will NOT be allowed to drink. If you are underage make sure that you check the age requirements of all establishments before you go to them.
Directions can be found to all the places mentioned by looking on their websites and using Google map.
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