The Crow's Nest

A survey posted on USF St. Petersburg’s Facebook page last Monday asks for student input on how large the already-expanding student enrollment should become.

With 4,648 undergraduate, graduate and non-degree students, university enrollment is up 6 percent this semester.

Joseph Alber, a junior majoring in English, said expansion is a good idea, a “symbiotic relationship between the school and the city.”

But most student responses advise against a larger student body. At print time, 61 students had responded, with 42 saying enrollment is “perfect the way it is.” Of the students who would like to see a larger USFSP, 11 percent believe the school should have more than 10,000 students.

One respondent said there should be fewer students at the university, citing a lack of support staff and available advisers.

Using social media and focus groups, the university hopes to involve students in future plans, including enrollment. Tom Scherberger, the university’s director of communications, said the school has plans to expand, within reason.

The poll is “the very beginning of a methodical approach to taking a look at our growth,” Scherberger said.

Room for expanding the school is somewhat limited, though space does exist in the master plan, and USFSP has plans to build a space for the College of Business and two new residence halls. Parking garage expansion is also being considered.

The opening of the University Student Center this fall allowed 200 more students to live on campus. Scherberger said the university wants to continue to increase the amount of students residing at the school. “With more and more students living on campus, it’s going to be a more lively and traditional campus.”

The survey is still open, and once closed, the Office of Institutional Research will gather the results and share with Interim Regional Chancellor Hogarth and the university community, the Facebook post said.