Dear USF Community,
The past few weeks have presented challenges unlike anything we have experienced since
our university鈥檚 founding in 1956. Back-to-back major hurricanes have severely impacted
the Tampa Bay region, creating a difficult, and in some cases devastating, situation
for our students, faculty and staff. We recognize that the recovery process will be
lengthy and complex, and our hearts go out to everyone affected by these catastrophic
events.
As we begin to reopen this week, I extend my deepest gratitude to our USF team members
鈥� including the USF Police Department, our first responders and emergency management
personnel, our health care workers, and our team members in facilities, housing, student
success and USF Dining 鈥� whose efforts have been crucial in keeping our students safe
and our facilities secure. Many of them have experienced power outages, property damage
and other obstacles of their own, but they have continued to support our university
community in a time of great need. I am also appreciative of our faculty and staff
for everything you have done and continue to do for our students, and of our students
for the perseverance and determination you have repeatedly demonstrated these past
few weeks.
While we gradually ramp up classes and business operations this week, we are urging
patience, understanding and flexibility during these unique circumstances. This is
a time to show compassion and help one another. We have been reaching out to students
and employees in many ways to share resources and address each individual鈥檚 circumstances
to allow them to continue their academic and professional journeys, even as they need
time to focus on their safety and recovery. For those seeking additional information,
we continue to update USF's list of resources for members of our community here.
For those who wish to support students, faculty and staff who are in need, the USF
Foundation offers two funds: the and the . In addition, the Feed-A-Bull Food Pantry is accepting donations of non-perishable
food items. More information about the food pantry and accepted items is available
here.
These last few weeks have been particularly stressful. For those in search of further
support, I encourage you to access the services available to all USF students, such
as professional mental health care and virtual support through TimelyCare and . Faculty and staff may access free counseling services through the Employee Assistance Program.
The road ahead may be difficult, but our USF Bulls community is incredibly resilient,
and we will persevere. Thank you for doing your part and supporting each other as
we overcome these challenging times together, as One USF.
Sincerely,
Rhea F. Law
President