Engage
Family & Friends Weekend
Registration is now open!
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!
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 open through
October 1 or until our event sells out! *Note: Internet Explorer is not compatible with our registration system. We encourage
you to use Chrome or Firefox to complete your order.
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.
Additional Events and Items for Purchase
We do have a small number of events that are add-on experiences to the base registration. Add-on
experiences for purchase will be available for purchase and reservation to registered
participants in a separate email as we get closer to our event. If your family has
their heart set on these events, be sure to register early to ensure your participation!
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. USF Family of the
Year Nominations open now until September 17! 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.
Thank you from Parent & Family Engagement!
Nearly all of the financial support the Office of Parent & Family Engagement receives
to support our programs and operations comes from the revenue generated by Family
& Friends Weekend. Your registration enables us to support families as they support
their student, to keep families informed of university happenings, and to provide
opportunities for families to connect with each other. Your contribution ensures that
we can maintain our programs and services while paving the way for new initiatives
that will benefit USF families for years to come.
If you are unable to participate but want to support the efforts of the Office of
Parent & Family Engagement, please consider making a gift that directly supports services and
experiences for you!
Have Questions or Need Further Assistance?
We encourage all family members, friends, and students to review our Frequently Asked Questions to answers to some common questions. Still have questions? We are happy to assist
you! Please fill out this form to reach a Parent & Family Engagement team member.