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
USF professors alarmed by DOGE’s review of academic research
David Allsopp said he knew the Florida State Department of Governmental Efficiency was looking for “inefficiencies” across higher education institutions ever since its creation in February. However, as a professor who has conducted research at USF for 24 years, Allsopp was “surprised” to learn the Florida DOGE team would analyze research done by university staff. […]
USF SG leaders take office after disqualifications, appeals
The beginning of a new generation of USF student leaders started on May 12, when the USF Student Government hosted a ceremony to inaugurate its sixth consolidated term. Among the new officers are Sumit Jadhav and Caio Esmeraldi, who will serve as student body president and vice president, respectively, representing all three USF campuses. Emma […]
How funding cuts are affecting USF student orgs, depts
For Carolina Gutfreund, next year’s cuts to student organization funding won’t just shrink the Botanical Gardens Club’s budget — they’ve led her to step down as its president. “The idea of it being bad was just making me so sad because we put a lot of effort into our events,” said Gutfreund, a junior English […]
USF Health Morsani College of Medicine is ranked best in the state
USF’s Morsani College of Medicine has been named the top medical school in Florida and ranked among the nation’s best in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings. The college, now recognized as a Tier 1 institution, is the only medical school in Florida to receive this distinction. Charles Lockwood, the executive vice president […]
USF students reflect on preparedness following FSU shooting
When confetti and champagne popped near the MSC Amphitheater during an Acts of Kindness event on April 24, Ashley Messer froze – afraid she was hearing gunshots. “All I could think for the rest of the event was that I just stood there like a deer in headlights,” said the junior English major. “I didn’t […]
USF rocket team completes most advanced launch in club’s history
Facing budget cuts, loss of resources and logistical setbacks, USF’s Society of Aeronautics and Rocketry completed what its members called the most advanced rocket launch in the club’s 12-year history. Led by computer engineering senior Alvaro Lazaro, SOAR launched its high-powered rocket, Prometheus, during a nationwide NASA Student Launch competition, marking the first time the […]