USFSP plans to keep its graphics program
Despite the rumors, USF St. Petersburg (USFSP) won’t be canceling its graphic design program because of budget cuts.
This comes as a surprise to the program’s students and leaders, who said USFSP administrators told them that the program faced suspension and possible elimination.
“They were telling the students to find a new major,” said junior Michelle Marin.
Regional Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Norine Noonan said that the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and other administrators discussed suspending the program, but then decided against it.
“Part of the reason the program is continuing is because of you,” Noonan told students Friday, who came to a Faculty Council meeting to protest the possible suspension. The council was scheduled to discuss the program’s future, but removed the item from the agenda at the last minute when the university decided to keep the program that morning.
Program Director Joani Spadaro said she was not happy that the program was even under consideration for suspension.
“I’m outraged,” she said. “There is a need in this area for this program.”
Spadaro said the university has not supported the program and that officials in the program were not kept up-to-speed on the program’s status.
“I feel like the administration of this university has been reactive, not proactive,” she said.
Noonan said the program will continue and that all essential classes for majors will be available for the spring term.
“It’s most unfortunate that a lot of misinformation was communicated about this program,” she said.
More Stories
Thank you to Oracle readers and supporters
Dear reader: In April, we told you of The Oracle’s challenges as we transition to a fully-digital paper – from budget cuts to a lack of updated technology. We asked for your help and you stepped up. Through your contributions, we raised over $800 just one month after announcing our new fund with the USF […]
Florida’s ‘Stop Woke’ law could endanger USF students’ education, professors say
Elizabeth Aranda has been educating students on Latino history for over two decades. Aranda, a USF sociology professor, said she wouldn’t be able to do her job if Florida’s “Stop Woke” law were put into effect. “Imagine you are an orchestra conductor but you’re missing every third page of the musical score,” Aranda said. “There […]
USF’s decision to replace ‘cultural icon’ Pollo Tropical is disappointing, students say
Upon arriving in Tampa, junior criminology major Ana Hernandez said she felt a certain culture shock. Hernandez, who moved from Venezuela to Miami as a child, found it hard to find familiar food as often as she did in Miami, where the Hispanic community is bigger. USF’s on-campus Pollo Tropical, located just a brief walk […]
New USF residential hall at the Sarasota-Manatee campus to open in August
USF Sarasota-Manatee will open its first residential hall in late August, joining Tampa and St. Pete as a residential campus. With a $43.95 million price tag, the new building will serve as both a student center and residential hall. It will open on Aug. 23, the Friday before fall classes begin. The dorm will allow […]
USF professors discuss 2024 primary: ‘Do not skip this election’
The clock is ticking with less than a month left to register by July 22 for this year’s primary election. With critical races like local school boards and Senate on the line, USF professors are urging students to make their voices heard this election season. Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan is a political science professor and the […]
Former USF football player killed in car crash
Former USF tight end Teigan Martin was killed in a single-car crash in Minnesota on Monday morning, according to the Carver County Sheriff’s office. First responders responded to a report of a crash on County Road 122 near Hollywood Township, MN, just after 5 a.m., according to a sheriff’s press release. Deputies discovered a vehicle […]