Prospective students touring USF get a big impression
By ANITA KUMAR
Published March 14, 2004
[Times photo: Lara Cerri]
The unofficial uniform for a walking tour recently at the University of South Florida's Tampa campus: bootcut jeans and open-toed shoes.
TAMPA - The one thing prospective students can't miss when they tour the University of South Florida is its size.
The 1,700-acre campus has its own apartments, restaurants, shops, buses and hospitals. It has its own bank, water tower and post office.
Even its own zip code.
"It's your own city," USF junior Jen Cuomo said as she directed a recent tour. "If we were going to walk this whole thing you guys would hate me. It's huge."
The two dozen visitors who trailed behind Cuomo were impressed by what they saw - a bustling research university with more than 41,000 students.
"It's big - nothing like community college," said Khristina Rose, 18, who is finishing an associate's degree at Broward Community College. She hopes to start at USF later this year.
The walking tours begin at the administrative buildings that provide key student services, such as the registrar and financial aid. Then it's off to the bookstore, cafeteria, recreation center, main library and the Sun Dome, which is the events center on campus.
No tour of USF would be complete without a look at the largest Subway sandwich shop in Tampa, located near the College of Education.
"I definitely like it," said Jessica Seagle, 16, a high school senior from DeLand considering six schools, including Rollins College in Winter Park and the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. "It's definitely different than all the other colleges."
USF has two walking tours a day. But they are in such high demand that the university plans to get a bus later this spring for driving tours.
Last year, 13,000 people took a walking tour. This year, the school expects more than 20,000 visitors.
"Until you get on a campus, you can't understand what the atmosphere is," said Dewey Holleman, USF's director of admissions.
Like most universities, USF makes sure to show off its newest amenities. Modern apartments with high-speed Internet access. Updated fitness centers. A revamped food court that includes gourmet wraps and sushi.
"Sushi?" asked Beth Henderson, a Clearwater mother who accompanied her son and a friend on the tour. "They didn't have that when I went to school."
Her son, Blair Henderson, 18, a senior at Countryside High School, wasn't as impressed. His heart is set on the University of Florida.
The tour guides say many of the questions they receive revolve around similar themes.
Can freshmen have cars on campus? What is it like to share a bathroom with 30 students? What does co-ed living mean?
Kaley Boggess, 18, didn't need to ask questions. She is from Wisconsin, where snow is still on the ground. She knows she wants to go to school in Tampa.
