USF Week preview
This year’s series of events to celebrate Bull pride with USF Week, organized by the Center of Student Involvement (CSI) and Campus Activities Board (CAB), will be spread out around campus, ending celebrations on Saturday at Tampa’s Riverwalk.
The 13th annual USF Day was first established in 2010, according to CSI Associate Director Joshua Wilson. The week of events began on Sunday with interactive Instagram games, challenges and giveaways on the @USF_CAB account stories.
USF Week will be celebrated at all three campuses, with events occurring through Saturday.
The in-person events will kick start on Monday with the USF Kick-off, taking place at 6:30 p.m. at the Marshall Student Center (MSC) Ballroom. Students will hear from President Rhea Law and Student Government President Nithin Palyam and Vice President Amy Pham, as well as participate in activities.
“They will also have the opportunity to roller skate at the event, we will have two different crafts, trivia and surprise giveaways,” Wilson said.
The University Lecture Series (ULS) will be held on Tuesday with actors Lesley David Baker and Kate Flannery from “The Office” speaking at 8 p.m. at the MSC Ballroom. Student Programs Coordinator Hannah Sutherland said CSI is excited to welcome “The Office Duo.”
“They are going to talk about everything ‘The Office’ related,” Sutherland said “They are really known for being hilarious.”
Although Sutherland mentioned all events are open to all students, she encouraged students to register for the ULS on BullsConnect prior to the date in order to guarantee a seat. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and preference will be given to those who pre-registered.
Tuesday will also kickoff the National Student Employment week, provided by USF Career Services. USF athletics will also have an opportunity to show off bull pride on a baseball game at 6 p.m., hosted at The Red against Bethune-Cookman.
The Ultimate Bull Talent Show will take place on Wednesday at the MSC Oval Theater, starting at 7 p.m. The winner of the talent show will receive a trophy and swag bags will be awarded to participants. Wilson said the regular Bulls Market held at the MSC lawn will also be USF Week themed, with the USF Giving Week food drive.
The fourth day of USF Week will start with the Rockyverse Costume Contest, where students will compete presenting their most original version of USF’s mascot Rocky the Bull. The event will be held at the MSC Amphitheater from 7 to 9 p.m.
Thursday will also be the mascot’s Birthday Bash. The cake cutting and cupcake sharing events will be held at the MSC starting at 6 p.m. Wilson said the birthday celebration will incorporate Rocky’s need for speed theme.
“There will be racing games like Mario Kart and Virtual Reality games,” Wilson said. “The movie ‘Cars’ will be showing indoors and outdoors, we will have bumper cars for students.”
The last day of on campus events will be marked by the free concert, Bullstock. Located at the parking lot in front of the Greek Village, the concert will start at 7 p.m., while doors open at 6 p.m. Students should be aware of the size and rules pertaining to personal bags, which are all displayed on USF’s website, according to Sutherland.
The Bullstock concert will be performed by five different artists, including pop artists Lasso and Sam Fisher, and indie band Coin. The stage will also be shared with USF’s Battle of the Bands winners.
USF’s Corbett Stadium will also host the spring football game on Friday. The game starts at 7 p.m., leaving students with two options of events on that day.
The last event scheduled for the week will take place at Tampa’s Riverwalk. The Recreation and Wellness center will host USF’s Riverfest from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, with activities like zip lining and boating for students.
USF Week celebrations intend to promote school spirit and togetherness amongst students and staff, according to Wilson. He said the CSI administration hopes to give graduates a good experience before ultimately walking the stage.
“I want to say USF Week is like a second Homecoming, but to celebrate the spring semester. It is a time to celebrate the university,” Wilson 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 – […]