USFSP plans to keep its graphics program
Despite the rumors, USF St. Petersburg (USFSP) won’t be canceling its graphic design program because of budget cuts.
This comes as a surprise to the program’s students and leaders, who said USFSP administrators told them that the program faced suspension and possible elimination.
“They were telling the students to find a new major,” said junior Michelle Marin.
Regional Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Norine Noonan said that the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and other administrators discussed suspending the program, but then decided against it.
“Part of the reason the program is continuing is because of you,” Noonan told students Friday, who came to a Faculty Council meeting to protest the possible suspension. The council was scheduled to discuss the program’s future, but removed the item from the agenda at the last minute when the university decided to keep the program that morning.
Program Director Joani Spadaro said she was not happy that the program was even under consideration for suspension.
“I’m outraged,” she said. “There is a need in this area for this program.”
Spadaro said the university has not supported the program and that officials in the program were not kept up-to-speed on the program’s status.
“I feel like the administration of this university has been reactive, not proactive,” she said.
Noonan said the program will continue and that all essential classes for majors will be available for the spring term.
“It’s most unfortunate that a lot of misinformation was communicated about this program,” she said.
More Stories
McKinley Drive closed down for death investigation, Tampa police say
The intersection between Fowler Avenue and McKinley Drive was closed due to a death investigation late Tuesday afternoon, according to the Tampa Police Department (TPD). A man shot himself after making a bomb threat in the parking lot of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), located at 11201 McKinley Drive, according to TPD. Police said […]
USF 2024-25 A&S budget to increase student organization funding in Tampa and St. Pete
The Student Government (SG) Senate approved the 2024-25 Student Activities & Services (A&S) budget for all three campuses this Tuesday, seeing an overall increase in allocated money to student organizations. The vote was 26-0, approving the budget. Related: 2023-24 A&S budget down $5 million from last fiscal year Students pay fees in their tuition – […]
USF education majors concerned about teacher shortage in Florida
The restrictions on how educators can teach and the lack of pay has deterred education majors, like sophomore Aidan Wright, from wanting to teach in Florida. Wright’s hesitation represents a larger issue facing Florida teachers. This year, the Florida Education Association reported a teacher shortage of over 4,000 educators. This has left “potentially…hundreds of thousands […]
Taylor Swift USF course to be taught this fall
Are you “…Ready for it?” An English course offered on the Tampa campus will concentrate on Taylor Swift for the first time in the fall. The course, LIT3301: Cultural Studies and Popular Art, has been offered before as an English elective, but can be taken by students of any major. The class concentrates on a […]
Marshall Student Center to replace elevators by December 2025
While students made their way into the Marshall Student Center (MSC) over the past year, they might have noticed signs in front of elevators reading they were under repair. One of the most commonly used elevators, behind the information desk at the MSC, was recently completely shut off. The motor on elevator one, on the […]
Abortion and marijuana amendments are pressing concerns for USF students
Florida voters will have the opportunity to decide the future of abortion and marijuana use in the state this November. Six amendments were approved at the beginning of April. These include amendment three, which addresses marijuana use, and amendment four, which addresses abortion. The abortion and marijuana amendments are especially important to college students according […]