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USF president lays out school's goals

Judy Genshaft lists the accomplishments of the past five years and identifies four categories for the institution to focus on to become a Top 50 public research university.

By KEVIN GRAHAM
Published October 13, 2005

TAMPA - With the University of South Florida's 50-year celebration beginning next year, president Judy Genshaft is hoping the school's designation as one of the nation's Top 50 public research institutions isn't far behind.

Genshaft talked about steps to reach that goal during her annual fall address Wednesday at the Marshall Center. Afterward, she looked back on some of the accomplishments of the last five years.

She referred to Greek Village on campus, which opened in 2002 and now houses 14 national fraternities and sororities with 340 beds. Greek housing had been at the top of students' wish list for years. Genshaft said USF's goal is to have enough beds to house every freshman on campus.

During her speech, Genshaft said construction of a new student union should be completed by 2008. When she announced that the university's "No. 1 priority" is a new visual and performing arts teaching facility, several music students sprang from their seats and sang a prepared round of "Halleluiah!"

Genshaft identified four categories for USF to focus on to become a Top 50 public research university: research quality and productivity; faculty and academic programs; student selectivity and achievement; and private support.

For the first time this year, USF ranked among the Princeton Review's list of The Best 361 Colleges, which is based on student surveys.

"Students are ranking us higher," Genshaft said, "which shows they are increasingly recognizing the value of the USF degree."

[Last modified October 13, 2005, 01:10:16]