USF World News

A Message to International Students

November 14, 2016

Dear International Students and Scholars,

On behalf of USF World, I would like to reiterate President Genshaft's message shared with the USF community last Thursday. USF is a caring and inclusive community. Whether you are a domestic student from Miami or Minneapolis, or an international student from Mumbai, Moscow or Medina each of you is integral to the USF community. Our cultural diversity is our strength.

I recognize that for many of you this has been a very uncertain past week. As you know, the mission and vision of the University of South Florida embraces global citizenship and globally informed research. In contrast, this Presidential election was divisive to the fabric of the United States, but here at USF we are committed to a climate of civility, unity and respect for all. Any bigoted actions of any individuals on this campus are a fundamental affront to our core university values.

To be very clear, the USF community fundamentally rejects intolerance and prejudice and will actively respond to those who seek to divide us. USF welcomes all our students from all 145 countries represented on this campus. You are our students – you are Bulls – regardless of age, disability, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sex, and sexual orientation. You deserve to feel safe, secure, welcomed and respected at USF and we are dedicated to that goal in USF World.

When you receive this message, if you are deeply worried then please contact the professional staff in the USF Counseling Center. They can provide comfort and assurance. Please know your conversations with these professionals will be absolutely confidential and they will welcome you stopping by with or without an appointment.

Then there are your advisors and advocates in USF World. If you find yourself concerned about your scholastic future at USF please come and talk to us. Administrators and staff in International Services in the Patel Building (CGS) and in the INTO USF Center (FAO) will welcome you, allow you to talk through any concerns, and will assure you of our continuing commitment to your success at USF. Please do not feel isolated or alone because you are not. We can assure you about your winter travel plans and your visa status. Please know that you are witnessing a peaceful transition in power of a large democracy, and while that can be a messy business your status is NOT about to suddenly change. Your academic dreams and goals remain our goals for you, too!

At USF, student and scholar success is our primary goal, and it is essential that whether a freshman from Sao Paulo or a doctoral candidate from Shanghai you know you are supported. We hope that many of you will stop by and say "hello," talk with us, and share your ideas of how we can best serve our student community. We stand ready to help.

My best wishes to you all,

Roger

Dr. Roger Brindley
USF System Vice President, USF World
University of South Florida