Bulls Notebook: USFSM to welcome students with breakfast

USF Sarasota-Manatee students will find a proverbial red (or maybe green and gold) carpet rolled out next week as Student Engagement, faculty and staff welcome students for the start of the academic year – starting, of course, with a pancake breakfast.

A hit the past two years, the carb-fueled starter is scheduled Monday, from 9 to 11 a.m., in the rotunda to kick off USFSM’s Week of Welcome for new and returning students. Expect plenty of coffee to accompany the eats as faculty and staff play host for the morning.

The spirited week continues with a country fair and petting zoo in the courtyard (noon to 2 p.m. Monday); a paintball tourney (6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, courtyard); a house party (7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Student Commons), Bingo Night (6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Selby Auditorium), and a movie night (6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Selby Auditorium).

Returning students may notice several changes on campus thanks to efforts of the Facilities Planning & Management Department.

Notably, the expansion of the energy plant at the north end is nearing completion. The five-month project includes 6,700-square feet of space to house the Emergency Operations Center, Facilities Planning & Management and a general storage area. Work is expected to wrap up in September.

Additionally, a collaborative space for E-Leaning has been added to the third-floor “mini-rotunda,” along with an instructional lab equipped with Z-space 3D technology (Room A214) in the College of Science & Mathematics.

Perhaps the most anticipated change involves a space that hasn’t yet been named: the new café to replace Jonathan’s.

Previously operated by an outside company, the new eatery will be run by faculty and students from the College of Hospitality & Tourism Leadership.

Rov Avila, the chef manager who will oversee the café, is looking to cook up a healthy mix of fresh sandwiches, soups made from scratch, salads, fresh burgers cooked over an open flame and a daily hot entrée, including stir-fry dishes, tacos and other cuisine.

At the outset, expect salads, sandwiches, fruit and grab-and-go snacks until kitchen renovations are complete in September. Mama G’s and Sugar Cubed, both based locally, will supply fresh pastries each morning, and Student Government is planning free coffee to students with valid student ID.

Still unknown is the café’s name. Student Government President Barry Callahan said students will select a name from among four or five options during the next week or two.

Amber Lee continues to amaze

Kudos to Amber Lee, office manager for the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences.

Not only has Lee earned a master’s degree in education (Class of ’17), but she has completed requirements for both basic and advanced certifications in research administration.

On Aug. 3, during a ceremony at USF in Tampa, she was inducted into The Research Administration Improvement Network (TRAIN). USF System President Dr. Judy Genshaft addressed Lee and other inductees, noting that they’re helping the university to achieve pre-eminent status.

“To be recognized by the president, I was very touched by that,” Lee said. “It made me feel so proud of the work I’ve been doing.”

Lee said she was impressed, as well, by the rigorous certification process. The intensive training occurred over two sessions in October and February.

“It was kind of eye-opening,” she said. “It’s an extremely complicated process with multiple steps.”

Research administrators oversee the entire research grant process, from budgeting and writing research grant requests to decisions on hiring and equipment purchases. After the research, they close-out the requests with additional paperwork.

Now that she’s earned her certifications, she’ll assist Sandra Justice, administrator of USFSM’s Office of Research, as well as help faculty in the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences.

One other change: Her name now comes with several letters attached. Say hello to Amber C. Lee, M.Ed., CRA-USF/Advanced.

Cross College Alliance digs in for Marauders game 

The Cross College Alliance, formerly known as the C4, is inviting faculty, staff and students from USFSM, New College of Florida, Ringling College of Art and Design, Eckerd College and State College of Florida to a night at the Marauders game Saturday, Sept. 2.

The game starts 6:30 p.m. at LECOM Park, 1611 9th St. W. in Bradenton.

For $10, guests will receive an Infield Box/Reserve ticket, a Marauders hat and a 32-oz. souvenir cup with one fountain drink fill up. Attendees also will receive five raffle tickets for fun prizes. A representative of the campus with the most attendees at the game will throw the first pitch.

The deadline to purchase tickets is midnight Sunday, Aug. 27. Tickets may be purchased at groupmatics.events/event/CrossCollegeNight.

###