Pictured above: USF St. Petersburg’s University Student Center in September 2016. The building is home to the campus’ dining center and one of its dorms. Devin Rodriguez | The Crow’s Nest
By Jonah Hinebaugh and Emily Wunderlich
USF system leaders announced March 11 that all classes would be moved online through at least April 6 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But the libraries on all three USF campuses will now be closed.
The closures were among others detailed in an email to residential students at USF Tampa and USF St. Petersburg on March 13.
The email reminds students they “have been strongly directed not to return to campus until face-to-face classes resume, currently scheduled for April 6.”
It also asks students to register their travel or residential plans in order to “ensure we can meet our community’s needs.” The link leads to a housing portal that is only accessible to residents of the USF Tampa campus.
There is no link for St. Petersburg students to register their plans.
The email continues to list the amenities and services on each campus that will be “significantly limited” or not offered while classes continue remotely after spring break.
For the St. Petersburg campus, that means:
- Nelson Poynter Memorial Library will be closed
- The University Student Center will remain open to offer limited dining for residential students, but there will be no events, social activities or other special services available
- Campus Recreation facilities and pools will be closed on all campuses
- Dorm lounges and community spaces will be closed
- University events — both on and off campus — are canceled for at least the next 30 days
USF faculty are being advised to adopt virtual substitutions for hands-on learning activities, such as teaching labs, studios and field trips.
However, according to an FAQ page in the online Faculty Toolkit, students may continue their research assignments in studios, labs and field sites “with approval of Chair or Supervisor if the space is not overly crowded (<5) and social distancing guidelines (maintaining a distance between individuals of 6 – 10 feet) can be achieved.”
Sodexo, which operates The Reef dining hall at USF St. Petersburg, has also developed a response to help minimize the risk of spreading the virus.
In a press release on the university website, the company details its response, which includes regularly cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces with a chemical disinfectant; developing alternate menus and serving options in case of an impact on its food supply; and reinforced existing food safety, health and wellness policies requiring employees to stay home if they are not feeling well.
The email directs those who stay on campus to practice social distancing, avoid large groups and maintain at least 6 to 10 feet of distance between people. It also advises students to “minimize (their) activity within and beyond the residence halls (and) continue to practice good hygiene.”
As of March 15, 106 Florida residents have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, and four have died, according to the state’s Department of Health. Two of those cases are in Pinellas County, and four are in Hillsborough.
As students prepare for spring break, The Crow’s Nest has compiled a list of closures and cancellations that could affect their plans.
- The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg: IndyCar officials released a statement March 13 — the day the race was supposed to start — that the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg was canceled. This came after an announcement Thursday that the race planned to continue without spectators.
- Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg: Beginning March 14, the MFA will temporarily close to prevent spread of the coronavirus. The museum did not say when it would reopen.
- LEGOLAND Florida: The park announced March 13 that it will close from March 16 through the end of the month.
- Busch Gardens and SeaWorld: Their parent company, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, posted on social media and its website on March 13 that the respective parks would close on March 16 through the end of the month. Guests who purchased tickets have the option to receive a refund or rebook through 2021 without additional fees, according to the post.
- Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort will remain closed through the end of the month starting March 15. Hotels, shops and restaurants at both resorts will remain open during the theme park closures, WMFE reported.
- Spring training: On March 12, Major League Baseball officials said the remainder of spring training games are canceled. The start of the regular season will also be pushed back at least two weeks.
- The Straz Center for the Performing Arts has suspended all performances, classes and events “effective immediately” through April 19. It said guests should hold on to their tickets because it’s planning to reschedule as many events as possible.
- Ruth Eckerd Hall: Starting March 15, it will postpone “all performances, all education activities and events through Thursday, April 2.” The performances and events include: Josh Groban, Monday, March 16; MasterChef Junior Live!, Wednesday, March 25; The Price is Right Live, Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18; Art Garfunkel, Saturday, March 14. See a full list of affected events here.
- The Sarasota Film Festival has been postponed. It was scheduled for March 27 to April 5.
- The Sarasota County Fair has been canceled.
- March Madness: The Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments –– as well as all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships –– will be canceled. The first rounds of March Madness were going to be held at Amalie Arena.
- St. Patrick’s Day festivals: Tampa’s River O’ Green festival, scheduled to take place downtown on March 14, is canceled, as well as the Rough Riders St. Patrick’s Parade.
- Tampa Bay Rowdies: There will be at least a 30-day suspension of play following the decision of the United Soccer League.
- The Florida Aquarium: It announced March 13 that it will close March 16 through 29 to limit community spread.
- Tampa Museum of Art will be closed March 16 to 29. Read the full statement that includes other Tampa area museums.
Information from WUSF Public Media, WMFE and the Tampa Bay Times was used in this report.
This post was updated March 15 to reflect new case numbers and closures.
