SACSCOC approves USF consolidation plan
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) approved USF’s plan to consolidate its three campuses — Tampa, St. Pete and Sarasota-Manatee — into a singularly-accredited institution on Friday afternoon.
The Substantive Change Prospectus, a document highlighting major changes within USF as a consolidated institution, was submitted on March 12. The document was reviewed by SACSCOC during its meeting June 8-11.
With SACSCOC’s approval, the university will be operating under one umbrella after former Gov. Rick Scott signed the Florida Excellence in Higher Education Act requiring the consolidation of USF’s three campuses by July 1.
The law, established in 2018, requires that the three campuses operate under a single institutional accreditation from USF’s accrediting body, the SACSCOC.
Under SACSCOC’s accreditation, the university is required to provide equal access toall student services once consolidation goes into effect. This means that students will have the chance to explore many of the resources available across all campuses, including the option to take classes as well as attend events at different campuses.
“Today marks an historic milestone for our university,” USF President Steven Currall said in a systemwide email on Friday afternoon. “Consolidation will provide USF students and faculty on all of our campuses with access to a broader array of opportunities and now every USF student will earn their degree from a Preeminent State Research University.”
As a consolidated institution, the main campus will be located in Tampa while St. Pete and Sarasota-Manatee will become branch campuses.
Following the prospectus’ approval, the SACSCOC committee will schedule a site visit later this year or early next year, according to Currall. The visit will include all three campuses as well as the Morsani College of Medicine in downtown Tampa.
In the systemwide email, Currall highlighted the milestone as USF prepares to officially consolidate its three campuses by July 1.
“I am grateful for the many valuable contributions and input from faculty, staff and students representing each campus, the USF Board of Trustees, the Florida Board of Governors, members of the state legislature and other stakeholders from across the Tampa Bay region and the State of Florida,” Currall said.
More Stories
USF admin’s response to suicides unclear. What we know so far.
USF’s administration will not say who or how it will prevent future suicides on campus a month after a student leapt from an upper floor balcony of the Interdisciplinary Science Building – the third suicide since fall 2022. The Oracle has asked repeatedly about which USF administrators are overseeing suicide prevention initiatives and how the […]
USF SG leaders look back on campaign accomplishments while on non-speaking terms
Student body president Cesar Esmeraldi and vice president Elizabeth Volmy reached nearly every campaign goal during their term. The one thing that didn’t persevere was their unity. The pair ended their tenure reflecting on it from separate rooms. “We’ve had a great year,” Esmeraldi said. “I’m very happy with everything we’ve built. But because of […]
USF’s ‘Take Back the Night’ allows sexual survivors to share pain, resilience: ‘Recovery isn’t easy.’
A sexual assault survivor, who was the first speaker at Wednesday evening’s “Take Back the Night,” said the hardest day of their life was not when they were assaulted – it was the day after. “When I had to call my mom and tell her how her [child lost their] virginity and tell my therapist […]
USF campus ministers offer perspective on stadium development: ‘Exciting benefit of exposure.’
Take a tranquil stroll down Sycamore Drive. It’s a quieter part of campus, hidden away from the usual hustle and bustle of USF. It’s home to an area colloquially known as “Religious Row,” a collection of on-campus religious organizations. In just a few years – with the construction of an on-campus football stadium – the […]
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 Wednesday 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 – […]