Students gained a dining hall, a meeting space and—for some—a new home on Sept. 6 with the formal opening of the $21 million University Student Center.
Faculty and staff, local officials and members of the public gathered together with the students whose fees funded the 81,000 square foot building.
“The University Student Center was a dream long in the making for all of us at USFSP, but particularly our students, who are justifiably proud of their new home away from home,” said Interim Regional Chancellor Bill Hogarth, one of the many who cut a ceremonial green ribbon in front of the building.
Joining him were students past and present who lobbied Tallahassee for a $13.80 per credit hour fee to pay for the building—and USF President Judy Genshaft, who wielded a large pair of golden scissors. St. Petersburg mayor Bill Foster joined the group just before the ceremonial snip.
For many students, the christening of the student center marked the end of USF St. Petersburg’s history as a commuter campus, and the beginning of a new, “real university.”
“The USC is more than just a new building,” said Student Government President Mark Lombardi-Nelson, who called the building the “X-factor on campus.”
He said the building gives students a hub to build relationships and a community, and a place from which a “real college experience” can grow.
A glimpse of that new experience was revealed when a flash mob of students exploded in dance just as the last shreds of green ribbon hit the ground.
Curious students—many of whom have been living in the USC since Aug. 25—coalesced on Harborwalk as on- and off-campus leaders spoke on the steps of the building. Many of them slipped in through side doors and sampled the free food set up for the opening.
It’s almost like home already.
