Engage

Family & Friends Weekend

2021 Family & Friends Weekend

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED ON ALL CAMPUSES

USF is proud to announce that Family & Friends Weekend will take place, on all three campuses, on October 14-16, 2022. We invite you to reconnect with your student while making new memories during USF Homecoming. In addition to receiving your exclusive Family & Friends Weekend tote, t-shirt and swag, you will have the opportunity to partake in USF Homecoming events and self-guided experiences. Self-guided opportunities to explore the surrounding Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota areas will be provided.

Why Participate in Family & Friends Weekend?
Each year, we host Family & Friends Weekend midway through the fall semester. 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. It is also a time for family members to explore where your student calls home, meet other families, and get a feel for how other families are supporting their student. 

registration information

Family & Friends Weekend is open to families, friends, and USF students who attend any of our three campus locations. Registration is required to receive Family Weekend items and to participate in official weekend activities, including your USF student. There will be events hosted on all three USF campuses; however, the vast majority of events will be hosted on or near the USF Tampa campus. For specific weekend information, based on your preferred campus, please contact your support office listed below.

 
Registration, is managed separately by each campus and is required with the campus you intend to visit and participate in events. Online registration opens on August 29 and will remain open until the event sells out or 5pm EST on October 7. No on-site registration is available.  

Tampa campus | view planning guide 

UPDATE: This year we experienced an overwhelming response to our Family & Friends Weekend and have sold out of our official family registrations and additional add on activities.

For those who were able to register, you will receive follow up emails about the hospitality area and check in, a link to purchase discounted tickets to the USF Homecoming Football game vs. Tulane on October 15, and information about the Running of the Bulls Parade Watch Party.  

For those NOT able to register, we invite you to join your student to attend the Homecoming events planned, including the football game.  

St. Petersburg & Sarasota-Manatee campuses | view planning guide
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

As we plan to ensure a memorable weekend, final event details are subject to change. Registered participants will receive a final schedule with event locations and a map 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.

Cheer on the Bulls at the USF Football Game!
After you register for the weekend, a link will be provided in your confirmation email to purchase football game tickets at a discounted rate. 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.

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. 
 
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. 

TAMPA CAMPUS EVENT DETAILS 

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

  • A tote bag filled with USF goodies for each registration (a $30 value) 
  • A signature Family Weekend t-shirt (a $15 value) 
  • Access to discounted tickets to the USF Homecoming Football game vs. Tulane University on October 15, 2022 ($57-107 value) 
  • Access to USF Homecoming events hosted on the Tampa campus
  • Free canoe and kayak rentals at USF Riverfront Park ($10-45 value) 

Adult (12 years and older) $30 each; USF Student $20 each; Youth (11 and under): Free of Charge 
Please note that youth registration will not receive a family weekend swag bag.
 
Arrival Information 
Guests are encouraged to arrive on Friday morning in order to take full advantage of the events being offered. We typically begin experiences on Friday afternoon around 1pm, all-day on Saturday, and leave Sunday open for families to navigate quality time with their student and safe travels home. 
 
Travel, Accommodations, and Meals 
The University of South Florida does not guarantee, approve, or endorse any specific hotel, lodging, or transportation option. However, we encourage families while doing their research to ask about a discounted rate for USF students and families. Guests participating in the weekend are responsible for coordinating and covering costs associated with their meals, travel, and accommodations. For local hotel guides, near all three campuses, please click here.  
 
Thank you from Parent & Family Engagement! 
All of the financial support the Office of Parent & Family Engagement receives to support our staffing, 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 able to further 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.