We are preparing for the new semester with your health and well-being as our highest priority. The University of South Florida intends to use a multiphase approach to gradually resume in-person activities on our campuses with measures in place to promote a safe environment. Each phase limits the number of individuals on campus and includes precautions to reduce community transmission of coronavirus and mitigate the possible exposure of returning students, faculty and staff. Review the full "Return to Regular University Operations In COVID-19 Environment" USF policy.
Additionally, a Returning to Campus Training module was created for USF students and employees to complete prior to the beginning of each semester to make sure everyone is fully informed of the university’s guidelines and policies.
For the latest updates from the university pertaining to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, please see our Coronavirus Updates.
USF is currently in Phase II
Face coverings are required on all campuses.
Phase II allows for up to 50% of staff returning to the campuses, based on space configuration. It allows for courses to be delivered through a combination of face-to-face, hybrid and online instruction, and some points of service will open on campus. Residence halls will open with new health and safety policies in place. Travel restrictions remain in place, and all individuals who can work remotely should continue to do so. Meetings and events should continue to be held virtually.
Guidance for Returning to Campus
Departments across the university are creating and implementing plans to put in place during each phase of the university's reopening. Information on these pages are highlights of these plans but are subject to change based on epidemiological data trends and further guidance from the university’s Executive Policy Group (EPG) and external sources, such as the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Any deans, department chairs and other unit leaders who feel it’s necessary for some of their faculty or staff to return to campus in phase I or phase II can make a request using the form available here.
We are working hard to provide a safe campus environment for all students, faculty and staff. Our teams are following enhanced disinfection protocols, and we are distributing supplies and equipment across all campus locations to make sure everyone in our community is empowered to stay healthy.
We want everyone to feel confident about the health of our campus community. For that reason, all students, faculty and staff returning to campus are required to complete a COVID-19 Assessment Survey, and a random sampling of our returning community members will be tested for COVID-19.
As vaccine eligibility continues to expand in Florida, USF strongly encourages anyone who is eligible to sign up as soon as possible to receive the vaccine. Each of the available vaccines is extremely effective in preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death. By getting vaccinated, you are doing your part.
There's no one-size-fits all solution for returning to campus this fall, so we've designed and adopted a flexible hybrid academic model for both undergraduate and graduate classes. This approach will maximize flexibility, while supporting a mix of academic delivery formats to meet diverse student needs.
Prioritizing community safety while still providing critical on-campus services is a key objective as we reopen. To that end, we've implemented numerous protective measures and social distancing protocols for Residence Halls, dining services and parking and transportation.
As a multi-campus institution, USF has a footprint in four counties and draws its workforce from at least a six-county area. Our efforts to mitigate transmission of COVID-19 must necessarily be coordinated with those of these surrounding communities.
Travel during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic can pose a high-risk for acquiring the infection and spreading it to others. Our university leaders are monitoring the situation across the United States and worldwide, paying attention to areas with higher rates of transmission.
We know that athletic and engagement activities are at the heart of a student's on-campus experience. Our regulations for these activities allow for safe social interaction by emphasizing phsyical distancing, rather than social distancing.
We have not lost sight of our research mission during these unprecedented times. Our critical research efforts have continued with modified operations for physical distancing and enhanced cleaning and sanitization protocols.
We are committed to promoting the comprehensive health and well-being of our students. In our phased-approach to resuming operations, multiple health and wellness services are readily available and modified to meet safety protocols.
Our employees will be returning to on-campus work in a phased approach. When planning for the return of employees to campus, units must continue to meet both business requirements and health and safety standards. We are committed to flexibility in meeting both obligations.
Find links to frequently asked questions about coronavirus relevant to students, international students, new students and parents, faculty and staff of the University of South Florida. For additional questions about USF and COVID-19, visit usf.edu/covidquestions.