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Dear ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵCommunity,

The past few weeks have presented challenges unlike anything we have experienced since our university’s founding in 1956. Back-to-back major hurricanes have severely impacted the Tampa Bay region, creating a difficult, and in some cases devastating, situation for our students, faculty and staff. We recognize that the recovery process will be lengthy and complex, and our hearts go out to everyone affected by these catastrophic events.
 
As we begin to reopen this week, I extend my deepest gratitude to our ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵteam members — including the ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵPolice Department, our first responders and emergency management personnel, our health care workers, and our team members in facilities, housing, student success and ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵDining — whose efforts have been crucial in keeping our students safe and our facilities secure. Many of them have experienced power outages, property damage and other obstacles of their own, but they have continued to support our university community in a time of great need. I am also appreciative of our faculty and staff for everything you have done and continue to do for our students, and of our students for the perseverance and determination you have repeatedly demonstrated these past few weeks.
 
While we gradually ramp up classes and business operations this week, we are urging patience, understanding and flexibility during these unique circumstances. This is a time to show compassion and help one another. We have been reaching out to students and employees in many ways to share resources and address each individual’s circumstances to allow them to continue their academic and professional journeys, even as they need time to focus on their safety and recovery. For those seeking additional information, we continue to update USF's list of resources for members of our community here.
 
For those who wish to support students, faculty and staff who are in need, the USF Foundation offers two funds: the and the . In addition, the Feed-A-Bull Food Pantry is accepting donations of non-perishable food items. More information about the food pantry and accepted items is available here.
 
These last few weeks have been particularly stressful. For those in search of further support, I encourage you to access the services available to all ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵstudents, such as professional mental health care and virtual support through TimelyCare and . Faculty and staff may access free counseling services through the Employee Assistance Program.
 
The road ahead may be difficult, but our ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵBulls community is incredibly resilient, and we will persevere. Thank you for doing your part and supporting each other as we overcome these challenging times together, as One USF.

Sincerely,
 
Rhea F. Law
President