The leadership demonstrated throughout the by the OBÌåÓý¹ÙÍø has become a true testament to the spirit of faculty, staff and students – a spirit of perseverance, collaboration and community partnership, despite the emotional and often taxing circumstances that have become part of many daily lives. Over the last year, USF has creatively converted classes and services to quality online formats, established new safety protocols, conducted countless research projects and shared its expertise with the world. Amid the angst and uncertainty, USF has reaffirmed the value of a public research university and the significant role it plays as an urban-grant institution embedded in a vibrant city, serving the Tampa Bay region and state of Florida.
Classroom impact:
Florida had just started reporting its first cases of COVID-19 when USF transitioned to remote learning following spring break in March 2020. What many first believed to be a temporary precaution has turned into a year-long effort to prevent viral spread throughout the USF community and nation. Innovative Education and Information Technology mobilized to convert more than 5,000 classes on the Tampa, St. Peterburg and Sarasota-Manatee campuses to a virtual format within a week. Faculty members rose to the challenge, adjusting their teaching methods to help maintain academic continuity – even conducting laboratory research through smartphones. While a majority of courses continues to be offered virtually, unique hybrid model courses were introduced during the 2020-2021 academic year, providing some students the option of attending courses in person and faculty the flexibility to continue teaching in a safe environment.
In preparation, USF established safety measures across its campuses that have resulted in a relatively low positivity rate compared to many other universities and was even featured on NBC’S . USF students, faculty and staff are highly credited for continuing to fulfill the shared responsibility of keeping the university community safe through their own behaviors and by following the guidance of health experts. Those who needed to remain on campus are commended for continuing to maintain critical operations.
The coronavirus outbreak has led to an increased demand at the University of South Florida’s Feed-A-Bull Pantry, which remains open and committed to serving students who may be experiencing reduced income and fewer food options.
Additionally, USF has continued to honor graduates by holding virtual commencement ceremonies in the spring, summer and fall of 2020.
With many on-campus operations on hold and businesses shut down, USF addressed the financial impact of COVID-19 on the community. In late March 2020, it launched the , which has raised more than $400,000 in private donations to assist hundreds of students in need. It also invested $20 million to establish the We Got U-SF Scholarship and Waiver, providing financial assistance to nearly 22,000 students. Food pantries on the have remained open in order to assist those experiencing . The USF Counseling Center responded to increased demand, adjusting its services to telehealth and offering daily group sessions to assist students in managing the psychological and emotional effects of the coronavirus. Advising and have also remained available in a virtual format in support of student success and to help students graduate on time.
Rapid response:
The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly strained the healthcare system, draining supplies and staffing levels. In partnership with Hillsborough County, USF Health established a mass , deployed volunteers to additional locations and offered testing on the , as well as converting physician appointments to . A team of USF researchers swiftly designed 3D-printed nasal swabs that were manufactured and expedited for use around the world. The Department of Internal Medicine and Division of Infectious Disease launched the , which provided virtual follow-up visits to thousands of infected individuals discharged from the hospital, helping prevent readmission, and a place for students pursuing medical professions to complete their clinical rotations. The clinic transitioned management to Tampa General Hospital in November and is now the . USF Health and Tampa General Hospital also created the joint h, which is conducting the COVID-19 Phase 3 clinical trial.
Dozens of students in the College of Public Health immediately signed up as contact tracers to assist the Florida Department of Health in notifying individuals of their potential exposure to COVID-19 and identifying potential hot spots. Faculty and students across disciplines creatively addressed increased demand for personal protective equipment. The Mini-Circuits Design for X Laboratory in the College of Engineering converted its facility into an assembly line to mass produce face shields and ear savers. The School of Art & Art History provided medical personnel its 3D printer, face shields and respirators regularly utilized in its studios.
USF Health has teamed up with Hillsborough County to offer COVID-19 testing to residents in several neighborhood community centers in Hillsborough County.