The fall 2022 semester showed a 20% increase in student enrollment.
Courtesy of USF
By Aubrey Carr
A record number of students moved into USF St. Petersburg’s on-campus housing for the fall 2021 semester.
Over 900 students moved into the three residence halls from Aug. 17 to Aug. 19, surpassing the previous record of 791.
Unlike last year’s temperature-check-riddled move-in, COVID-19 protocols were lessened for the event. Residents no longer had to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test and social distancing rules were dropped completely.
“We are seeing a lot of students coming out of their pandemic situation and being really excited to come back to an in-person setting to engage in the classroom, engage outside the classroom and be a part of a vibrant community where they will have hundreds of their peers as neighbors,” Susan Kimbrough, director of housing and residential education on the St. Petersburg campus, said in a press release.
“This year’s move was more eventful and busier [than last year], especially now that most of the COVID-19 guidelines were lifted,” Nilah Neely, a senior graphic design major, said.
Residents came from 33 states, Puerto Rico and 17 different countries –– representing a 20% increase in students from the last record.
“The diversity of backgrounds [residents] bring will strengthen student life and add to the already rich academic and social experiences on campus,” Christian Hardigree, the newly appointed regional chancellor of the USF St. Petersburg campus, said
Victoria Lim, a junior graphic design major, was excited to move into her dorm for the first time after COVID-19 prevented her from living on-campus.
“As a freshman, I really wanted to live on campus and have the ‘campus experience,’ but because it was 2020, I was not able to safely dorm,” Lim said. “It’s a new chapter in life and I’m excited to see what’s in store.”
Although happy to be back on campus, move-in wasn’t without its struggles for Savannah Erickson, a junior psychology major.
“It would have been less stressful and time-consuming if the school provided more help with move-in,” Erikson said. “I know that the Tampa campus provides some big bins on wheels to help students. Something like that would be helpful.”
St. Petersburg also welcomed students back with new additions to the University Student Center.
The coral café, which previously served Starbucks beverages, was transformed into the Florida-owned Kahwa Coffee. The café offers coffee, tea and baked goods, which students can purchase with money or their dining dollars.
Alongside the previously added Blenz Bowls, the 727 Market added a new quick service restaurant, Capital Tacos.
