USF's Marshall Student Center to reduce hours amid budget constraints

*The Marshall Student Center, home to USF’s first year orientation, will see reduced hours starting in the fall semester. ORACLE PHOTO/KEATON DUKE*

USF’s Marshall Student Center will operate under reduced hours starting in the upcoming fall semester.

New operating hours will go into effect starting on Aug. 17 as listed below:

Monday–Thursday: Changing from 7 a.m.–midnight to 8 a.m.–11 p.m.
Friday: Changing from 7 a.m.–1 a.m. to 8 a.m.–midnight
Saturday: Changing from 8 a.m.–1 a.m. to 8 a.m.–11 p.m.
Sunday: Changing from 10 a.m.–midnight to 10 a.m.–11 p.m.

MSC Director Matt Marshall said the “difficult” transition was prompted by changes in the Activities & Services budget — which helps fund the MSC’s operations — combined with increasing utility and operational costs.

The A&S fee funds 12 departments and over 250 student organizations, according to the Student Government. The fee includes a flat $7.00 charge, plus $12.08 per credit hour per semester.

Marshall said the MSC’s A&S budget allocation went from approximately $3.1 million to $3.2 million between the 2022 and 2026 fiscal years — meaning a $100,000 increase.

However, the A&S allocation to cover electricity, water and sewage costs — that was approximately $813,000 in the 2022 fiscal year — will see a $72,000 cut, he said.

Marshall said increasing operational costs include staff expenses. The minimum wage in 2022 was $10 per hour and will increase to $15 per hour by September 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

In total, the MSC had an around $825,000 increase in expenses with only a $100,000 increase in A&S allocation from fiscal years 2022 to 2026, he said.

The MSC offers numerous dining options such as Panera Bread, Subway and Moe’s Southwest Grill. There are also amenities like lounge areas, charging stations and the SkyPad Gaming Room.

Jarin Anika, a junior information science major, said the reduced MSC hours could ruin student interactions.

“The student clubs will be affected by this change. Are they going to be able to run student events like normal?” Anika said.

Marshall said the MSC staff worked with various organizations and departments, including the Student Government, to “try and minimize” any significant impacts or inconveniences.

“As for now, the adjusted hours will remain for the Marshall Student Center moving forward, unless there is a change in A&S funding allocations,” Marshall said.

The MSC will still “honor” any events that were reserved prior to June 1, regardless of the adjusted hours, he said.

Marshall said “organizations and groups” can also request early openings or late closings for an additional cost, which varies depending on the room they are utilizing.

Marshall also said adjusted hours should not impact any services within the MSC — except for student employment, which will “slightly” reduce the number of hours available for shifts.

“Our student employees make up more than 125 of our MSC workforce and are essential to our operation,” Marshall said.

Leila Afridi, a junior biomedical sciences major, said the change is unfair to student employees working at the MSC.

“Some of those students use those work hours to pay for tuition or class books, which can be expensive,” Afridi said. “I hope that they are able to restore hours in the future semesters.”

Givanna Solano, a junior health sciences major, had “no idea” the MSC was reducing hours, but said the changes will affect her.

Solano said she lives off campus, so she goes to the MSC daily to eat and spend some time before or after classes.

She said she relies on the MSC for a “quiet, central” study space outside of Library hours.

“I think it’s a bit concerning, especially to those international students who live on campus and don’t have a car,” Solano said. “They will be affected the most since they spend most of their time on school property.”

Budget cuts to the MSC will heavily impact students, Solano said.

“My biggest concern is that these cuts will continue to affect services that support students outside the classroom,” Solano said.