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Family & Friends Weekend

Registration is now closed. See you November 5-7!
We are proud to announce the return of Family & Friends Weekend, November 5 – 7, 2021! Our One-USF Team invites you to reconnect with your student while making new memories during USF Homecoming. In addition to receiving your exclusive Family & Friends Weekend bag and t-shirt, you’ll have the opportunity to explore planned and self-guided experiences and register for exclusive add-on experiences at discounted rates—including the USF Homecoming football game! 

Check out our schedule of events to get an idea of the 30+ events during the weekend!

Why Participate in Family & Friends Weekend?
Each year, we host Family & Friends Weekend midway through the fall semester. It is the time when families may want to connect with key campus departments to get the support their student needs. USF family members consistently share that Family & Friends Weekend is the perfect time to re-connect with their students and get a feel for how they are doing. We also know it's a time family members like to explore where your student calls home, meet other families, and get a feel for how other families are supporting their student. 

One USF
Family & Friends Weekend is open to families, friends, and USF students who attend any of our three campus locations. There will be events hosted on all three USF campuses, as well as opportunities to explore the surrounding Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota areas. However, please note that the vast majority of events will be hosted on the USF Tampa campus throughout the weekend, with the Marshall Student Center being our central location. A map and event locations will be provided for family members who register for the weekend.

Registration
All family members and friends of USF students are invited to participate in the weekend. Registration is required to receive Family Weekend items and participate in any official weekend activities, including your USF student. Online registration is now closed and no on-site registration is available. 

Cost to Attend
By registering, USF families, friends, and students are provided with the following:

• A Family & Friends Weekend tote bag for each family registration (a $12 value).
• A Family & Friends Weekend signature t-shirt (a $15 value)
• Access to discounted tickets to the USF Homecoming Football game vs. University of Houston on November 6 (time TBA), which includes a free ticket to the Men’s Soccer Game on November 5 ($57-107 value)
• Canoe and kayak rental at USF Riverfront Park ($10-45 value)
• Events for family, friends, and students throughout the weekend
• Family-focused sessions to connect with USF faculty, staff, resources and services your student can utilize for their success at USF
• Access and discounts to USF attractions, such as USF Homecoming
• Opportunities to explore the Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota areas

Adults (12 years and older) $40; USF Students $20; Youth (11 and under): Free of Charge
Please note that youth registration will not receive a family weekend swag bag, but add-on t-shirt options will be available for purchase.

Important Considerations for Family & Friends Weekend
We are thrilled that your family is excited about Family & Friends Weekend! The University of South Florida continues to closely monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. All of our latest return-to-campus guidance can be found here. Please note that as we plan to ensure a memorable weekend, final event details are subject to change. Registered participants will receive final schedule and details one week prior to Family & Friends Weekend.

Discuss Your Plans with Your Student
We are thrilled that you and your student are excited about Family & Friends Weekend. Please know that your student will likely still have class responsibilities, exams, and study groups during the weekend. Some students also have organization commitments based on it being Homecoming Weekend. We encourage you and your student to discuss their academic schedule according to their syllabi and any organization commitments prior to booking to ensure you have a positive experience during the weekend. Unfortunately, we do not offer refunds for these conflicts.

Arrival Information
We encourage guests to arrive on Thursday evening or Friday morning in order to take full advantage of the events being offered.  We typically host several events on Friday afternoon - Saturday evening with Sunday open for families to navigate quality time with their student and safe travels home.

Travel, Accommodations, and Meals
Guests participating in the weekend are responsible for coordinating and covering costs associated with their meals, travel, and accommodations. For a local hotel guides near all three campuses, please click here. 

Cheer on the Bulls at the USF Football Game!
A link will be provided to registered guest to purchase tickets at a discounted rate, which will also include a free ticket to the men's soccer game on November 5! Please note: students receive free admission to the student section. If you would like your student to be seated with you, a ticket will need to be purchased for your student.

Family of the Year
Each year we recognize an outstanding family during the weekend. Congratulations to the Gaddis-Golub family, our 2021 USF Family of the Year! Click here to learn more. 

Refund Policy
We aim to provide the best experience for our students and family members participating in our programs. Based on our event planning and purchasing timeline for Family & Friends Weekend, we are unable to provide refunds. All sales are final.

Homecoming Partnership
Family & Friends Weekend will take place during USF Homecoming Week! Learn more about Homecoming and all of the activities going on during the week.