Global Engagement on Campus

Resources for Students Who Need Help

Going to college is a great time to gain more independence – but it doesn’t mean you have to do it all alone.  

Whether you need assistance with your four-year course plan, navigating Canvas, an unexpected tragedy, or just finding available campus resources, remember that you have a community at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, Tampa, and St. Petersburg campuses dedicated to your academic, personal, and professional wellbeing.

Below you will find many resources that USF has to offer if you need help, including academic services, mental health counseling, food assistance, natural disaster planning, and more.

You can also navigate directly to a particular area by clicking on the subject heading below.

Academic Resources
Emergencies and Natural Disasters
Personal Wellness and Safety
Resources for International Students

Academic Resources

• Sign-in to Canvas and check your course syllabi for any updates: MyUSF and Canvas Log-In.
• Prepare for upcoming exams with 24/7 online tutoring support available via TutorMe.
• Learning support in writing and other subject areas is also available both remote and in-person at all USF campuses.
  • St. Petersburg campus: Student Success Center
  • Sarasota-Manatee campus: Academic Success Center
  • Tampa campus: Academic Success Center
• Undergraduate students with academic concerns should reach out to your academic advisor to schedule an appointment or access the virtual drop-in portal Archivum appointment scheduling.
  • Graduate students should contact their major professor or the graduate program director. Department-specific graduate program directors are listed here. 
• Academic advocates are ready to help students in academic distress. Email academicadvocacy@usf.edu. Reach out to make an appointment with an academic advocate.
  • St. Petersburg campus: COMPASS Student Experience
  • Sarasota-Manatee campus: Student Support
  • Tampa campus: Office of Academic Advocacy 

emergencies & Natural Disasters

• 24/7 emergency assistance on campus is provided by the University Police Department by calling 911. For non-emergency situations and other information, visit the sites below.
  • Tampa campus 
  • Sarasota-Manatee campus 
  • St. Petersburg campus  
• Visit USF Emergency Management to learn more about university emergency preparedness and response. In the event of a university emergency, visit USF's main website or call the Information hotline (recorded message) at (800) 992-4231.
  • Emergency Management on the St. Petersburg campus
  • Register for AlertUSF to receive immediate notifications during emergency situations on any of the campuses.
  • USF Hurricane Guide
• Below are university and community resources available to assist students in times of crisis or personal trial. Also see the Personal Wellness and Safety section.
  
  • Psychological Emergencies - contacts for all campuses are listed here
  • Crisis Center of Tampa Bay (211) (211 also works in Pinellas County)
  • Pinellas Mobile Crises Response Team
  • NAMI in Sarasota and Manatee counties
• The USF Office of International Services is always available for international students affected by personal emergencies and crises.
• Download and reference the Student Affairs Emergency Reference Guide, which offers information and instructions on handling student emergencies at USF.

Personal Wellness and Safety

• USF has professional counselors available to speak with students for any reason. Counselors are available 24/7 through the Tampa campus Counseling Center at 813-974-2831 (select option #3 after business hours). You can also conveniently access 24/7 free mental health services with professionals through TimelyCare's TalkNow service.
  • Tampa Counseling Center
  • St. Petersburg Wellness Center
  • Sarasota-Manatee Counsling and Wellness Center
• Student Outreach & Support coordinates with the Students of Concern Assistance Team (SOCAT) as a ready resource for students, faculty, and staff if concerns are raised about a student's behavior.
  • Tampa campus
  • Sarasota-Manatee campus
  • St. Petersburg campus
• The USF Safe App is available as a free download through the Apple or Google Play stores to help improve your personal safety and security. USF Safe can trigger emergency phone calls and Mobile BlueLight to alert University Police, offers an interactive map to help you navigate, plus a toolkit with a flashlight, alarm, and more.
• The University of South Florida does not tolerate sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual violence of any kind. Any student, faculty, or staff member with questions or concerns about the applicable University policies or who believes that they have been the victim of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual violence is encouraged to contact the Title IX Coordinator.
  • Get help
  • Title IX at USF
• The Center for Victim Advocacy and Violence Prevention has a dedicated team of advocates to assist any victim with on-campus as well as offer community support services and resources. If you have been a victim of a crime or violence, please reach out to your local campus office below.
  
  • Tampa campus
  • Sarasota-Manatee campus
  • St. Petersburg campus
• USF World has a webpage dedicated to staying healthy while remote. These resources are useful whether you're taking remote classes or are traveling abroad.
• The USF Student Ombuds Office can help you when you have any concern about USF (policies, processes, personnel, etc.). We do all of this while maintaining our ethics of informality, impartiality, independence and confidentiality. The ombuds will listen to your concerns and provide guidance on a continuum of resolution processes available to you.
  • Schedule an appointment at ombuds@usf.edu or 813-974-0835.
• Feed-A-Bull is the confidential Tampa campus food pantry available to enrolled students to address food insecurity by providing supplemental food to students in need, as well as education and resources to students related to purchasing and preparing balanced food on a budget.
  • Food pantries are operated on all University of South Florida campuses; students may utilize the campus pantry most convenient for them.

resources for International Students

Aside from all of the resources that USF has for its students, there are some specific offices and programs that international students should be aware of.

• The Office of International Services will always have the latest immigration information available and has staff available for helping you navigate any difficulties that should arise while you are on campus.
  • Special Student Relief information
  • Temporary Protected Status information
  • Maintaining your status information
• USF World sponsors and co-sponsors many activities and events to help support our international students. Check the website or BullsConnect for the latest activity, or visit our Global Student Hub in FAO 011.