‘USF Day’ aims to create new university tradition

Since Student Government (SG) President Juan Soltero and Vice President Bruno Portigliatti entered office last May, they have worked with university officials to make “USF Day” a tradition.

“USF Day,” which made its premiere Friday at the Marshall Student Center Amphitheater, included obstacle courses, caricature, tattoo and balloon artists, face painters, stilt walkers, a mechanical bull and free food.

Soltero said he and Portigliatti wanted to create a signature event for the spring – something, like Homecoming in the fall, students could look forward to.

For Chaz Luce, coordinator for the department of Student Life and Traditions, the event did just that.

“There were tattoo artists and a guy on stilts,” said Luce, a sophomore majoring in architecture. “We had a great turnout. I just love seeing students have a great time. It was really good for our department and something I’m glad Juan and Bruno brought forth.”

SG and the Campus Activities Board (CAB) sponsored “Bullstock,” an outdoor concert on “USF Day” that featured bands We the Kings, J.Cole, The Maine and The Gallery.

The cost for USF Day was $6,959,58 and $102,030 for “Bullstock.” Both events were funded by student-paid Activity and Service fees.

Last month, Soltero requested $5,000 from each SG branch: Executive, Legislative and Judicial. The Executive and Legislative allocated the requested amount. However, the Judicial Branch gave $2,500 because time constraints did not allow them to contemplate the request, he said.

Soltero said University officials were “very supportive” of the idea and “USF Day” may include the entire Tampa Bay community in the future.

“We’ve met with the satellite campuses from the USF system and they are all on board saying, ‘Hey, we support it,'” he said. “All of them actually have somewhat of an end-of-the-year bash event, and so after we shared with them what we wanted to do – overall, they agreed that for the next ‘USF Day,’ they are going to incorporate on the same day.”