Keeley Sheehan
Managing Editor
The university officially broke ground on the new student center on April 11. Students, faculty and community members gathered on Harborwalk for the mid-morning ceremony.
Regional Chancellor Margaret Sullivan credited the building to community and student support.
“Our commitment to students drives what we do as an institution,” she said. “This building will meet the evolving needs to our student population.”
The new 81,000 square-foot building will house food services, recreation and conference spaces, as well as a six-story residence hall to accommodate about 200 residents. A previous increase in student fees is helping to fund the $20 million project.
Judy Genshaft, president of USF, said the project is “another sign of the strength of the USF system.” USF has a $3.7 billion annual economic impact on the region, Genshaft said.
“Our institutions are becoming a model of local control, regional impact and national reputation,” she said.
Students also previously voted to allocate a portion of their student fees to help make the building energy efficient, and pursue LEED certification.
“This will be one of the most efficient buildings in the city of St. Petersburg,” said SG President James Scott.
The building is set to open for the fall 2012 semester.
