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U N I V E R S I T Y O F S O U T H F LO R I DA
Behind the series USF World The collaborative process of selecting ULS speakers
By Abby Rinaldi C O - N E W S
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backgrounds in order to get a broader scope of who and what students want to hear about, according to Bressack. These efforts are expected to begin in the next academic year. Currently, ULS surveys students of their own and adds questions to some Student Government (SG) surveys. Currently, a committee
Students at USF are familiar with big names like Jessica Williams, Killer Mike and others coming to campus as part of the University Lecture Series (ULS). However, students often know little about the selection process for ULS speakers or how ULS operates. When it comes to choosing speakers, Center for Student Involvement (CSI) Campus Traditions Board Coordinator Athena Bressack said the process focuses on a couple main outlets of input. One method is student surveys — both formal and informal — that ask for names and topics. Another is close communication with those who work at agencies from which ULS hires speakers, agents who are hired to focus on USF. “They do a very good job of knowing our campus culture, knowing what types of speakers would be successful, and so we rely on their experience to help recommend ideas for us and then we’ll typically ask students how they feel about that, whether that’s through informal asking at Bull Market or via surveys,” Bressack said. ULS is currently trying to expand its opportunities for student input, mainRJ Mitte was one of the first speakers for ly through focus ULS last fall and focused on overcoming groups that consist of students from varied physical disabilities. ORACLE PHOTO/ADAM MATHIEU
employed by CSI, an advisor and a graduate advisor vote on speakers. Applications for new committee members will open in January. “We’ll ask for input from the whole office when we’re doing speaker selection, not just the five that formally vote,” Bressack said. Input is also gathered from those working within CSI and those involved in events. Student suggestions for speakers and topics are always welcome, either by email or in person, as emphasized by Bressack. However, they might not always be available. “Sometimes, students will want someone but they don’t know that that person doesn’t do speaking engagements, so every celebrity doesn’t always do them or sometimes it’s a one-time gig,” she said. “So we will also asks what topics (students are) interested in … so that even if we’re unable to bring this specific speaker who may have topped our survey, maybe they don’t speak or they’re unavailable or they’re out of our budget, then we can say ‘Well, who’s comparable that the students would find interesting?’” ULS is a product of CSI and exists in partnership with SG. It dates back to 1989, when it featured speakers such as Frances Moore Lappe and Edwin Newman. ULS funding comes from SG, with certain amounts set aside per speaker. The administrative budget, which covers costs like renting space in the Marshall Student
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announces new vice president By Miki Shine C O - N E W S
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Patel Center ORACLE FILE PHOTO/ADAM MATHIEU
Vice Provost and former Associate Vice President for USF World Roger Bridley will be stepping into the new position of Vice President for USF World beginning in July. USF World is known for promoting interaction between students from across the globe. The organization also works on study abroad opportunities and international curriculum designed to encourage students toward a more global way of thinking. Bridley has served as a professor at USF for 19 years, receiving several awards including Honored Professor from the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. He has also written and edited for international journals, as well as spoken at conferences around the world. Part of USF World’s mission is to help guide the USF system into engaging more internationally, which includes working with international students, providing study abroad opportunities to students and helping organize campus events that focus on the global society. According to a press release, Brindley plans to continue with USF World’s goals of global curriculum, student success, campus global awareness, global mobility and international research.