25 replies to this topic

[charlie11]

I'm almost sold on attending USF but I would like some opinions please. I'm a non traditional student due to spending my 20's in the Army,  and my major concern is not being able to relate to too many of the younger students. Is there a lot of older students?

What about race relations? I've heard some bad things about USF and race. As I've said I come from a Army background [I believe the military is the most intergrated institution in America] and I would prefer to not have to deal with large populations of ignorance.

I thought I'd would go straight to the source for answers.

[nobull.Bulls]

Any rumors you heard about race relations are false. I have not seen any ignorance dealing with race or racism at USF.
I wouldn't worry about relating to younger students. People get along well in the classroom and relating to others will come naturally

[charlie11]

Thanks. I thought that would be the answer I got. Life is what you make of it. If you fail, whine on the internet. Why do i always fall for sour grapes internet reviews?

[cal]

Because those with something bad to say are the ones who yell it out the loudest. When you're content, you're not as likely to write a raving review.

Im 21 and friends with an army ranger who's 27 now and hes just a senior now (same as me).

I dont think youll have any bigger problem here than anywhere else

[Apis Bull]

I'm almost sold on attending USF but I would like some opinions please. I'm a non traditional student due to spending my 20's in the Army,  and my major concern is not being able to relate to too many of the younger students. Is there a lot of older students?

What about race relations? I've heard some bad things about USF and race. As I've said I come from a Army background [I believe the military is the most intergrated institution in America] and I would prefer to not have to deal with large populations of ignorance.

I thought I'd would go straight to the source for answers.

I, like you, went to school after spending time in the military (Navy).  Of course you'll see some students you don't relate to, but you'll see a lot in a very similar situation as you are in.  I went into engineering and while most of the students in my classes were young, a vast majority of them were very mature.

[AndytheBull]

Yes, there are alot of people in your situation at USF. That is actually sometime used as a knock against the university being "non-traditional". I have and now especially in junior/senior courses about 5-6 people in every class that are between 25 and 30 due to time in the military. Very common. I've never noticed any major racial issues on campus, possibly isolated with certian people at certain times, but not widespread. 

[Mag Pie]

There are a lot of non traditional students at USF.  I had several in all my classes.  I don't think you'll have any problems at all.  USF is a very friendly campus.
On the other issue...whoever said USF had race relations is stupid.  We're one of the most diversified universities out there.  No problems on that end.

I am thinking of just going back to USF to get my masters.  That's how much I love the school.

[Economics_Nerd82]

I have NEVER seen any race problems at USF. That doesn't' mean they are there, but I have never seen anything. I think USF (Tampa and Florida as well) that things like this tend to not be a problem.

Plenty of non-traditional students on campus. But, there will be a fair share of people you wont' relate to. My guess is, and that is all it is, there are plenty of soldier who are returning from Iraq or other areas in the world who are in your situation. So, I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't run into plenty of people much like yourself.

I think student and recent grads have plenty of stories about horrible professors (much like all schools). But, having been an undergrad for two years and a grad student for two years, this school is moving up in academics.

Any idea what you would like to study?

[BULLfreak]

This is my second time around at USF (BA in 05 and going back for another) and I have never seen anything that would make me think USF has bad race relations. The only bad relations USF students have is with the Tampa Sport Authority and their tazers

[charlie11]

I want to thank everyone for replying. I'm going for the journalism program [magazine].  I plan to get my AA at CC here in Jacksonville first so it will be another year or so until i go to USF.

I have NEVER seen any race problems at USF. That doesn't' mean they are there, but I have never seen anything. I think USF (Tampa and Florida as well) that things like this tend to not be a problem.

Plenty of non-traditional students on campus. But, there will be a fair share of people you wont' relate to. My guess is, and that is all it is, there are plenty of soldier who are returning from Iraq or other areas in the world who are in your situation. So, I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't run into plenty of people much like yourself.

I think student and recent grads have plenty of stories about horrible professors (much like all schools). But, having been an undergrad for two years and a grad student for two years, this school is moving up in academics.

Any idea what you would like to study?

[AndytheBull]

And this obviously was a long time ago, but goes with the discussion of USF's history with race, that we were the first integrated university in Florida. That was from the 50th anniversery DVD last year.

[GetAHobby]

I had some racial tension when I was at USF with the hippies and those of us that don't think its right to employ a terrorist!

Majority of my classes had former military people in them, but I was a Crim major.

[charlie11]

Im not sure hippies are a racial/ethnic group. I think thats just the everyday, normal political tension that exsist everywhere in the United Divided States of America.

I had some racial tension when I was at USF with the hippies and those of us that don't think its right to employ a terrorist!

Majority of my classes had former military people in them, but I was a Crim major.

[PitBull]

As people have said already, a lot of non-trads at USF.  That's one of the things i like about USF-- the diversity in ages.  Now that we are developing a campus, i think USF is good for the nontrad.  You get the best of both worlds.  You go to school and feel like you're on an actual college campus, but unlike many schools, there is ample parking (assuming you get there on time).  Like UF/FSU, the immediate area is 'collegiate' and feels like a pseudo-collegetown.  however, if you dont live in the immediate area, you can go back to your suburban lifestyle.. i like not living in the immediate USF area.  it's like a live 2 lives-- the suburban life and the collegetown life.

[usfbulls2004]

I recently graduated on August 11th. I loved my time at USF and whoever said race is a problem is simply a jackass! USF is great institution to accomplish your degree.

[ITBULL]

I'm almost sold on attending USF but I would like some opinions please. I'm a non traditional student due to spending my 20's in the Army,  and my major concern is not being able to relate to too many of the younger students. Is there a lot of older students?

What about race relations? I've heard some bad things about USF and race. As I've said I come from a Army background [I believe the military is the most intergrated institution in America] and I would prefer to not have to deal with large populations of ignorance.

I thought I'd would go straight to the source for answers.

I am an Afican American male, who received my Bachelor's (2001) and Master's Degree (2006) from USF.  I also work at USF and have worked here for 7 years.  There were a fair number of older students in most of my classes, but I wouldn't worry about relating to the younger students.  For the most part you are going to run into a lot of people who are in your same situation you are especially with MacDill Air Force Base being here in town.  You are going to have your share of people you will and won't get along with, but I can say my experiences were mostly positive in that regard.

When it comes to race relations, I never really had any big problems dealing with race during my time at USF.  Of course I ran into some ignorant people (they are allowed to attend school as well) from time to time who may have come from an area that didn't have many people of other cultures, so they had their opinions formed by TV or public stereotypes.  You can't really do much with those people, but they are not the majority here at all.  You are probably referring to the situation with the woman's basketball coach several years ago, that got a lot of attention, but I wouldn't say that was the overall feeling of the USF community.  Racism exists and schools and organizations don't want to deal with it if they can help it, and I think where people were outraged was due to the fact that an investigation was conducted before this incident became public to gauge race relations at the university and the investigator allegedly found a problem with the women's basketball team and the administration allegedly didn't want to read it.  I don't know how true it is, but the situation was resolved with the coach being dismissed.

I lived in Tallahassee before I came to USF, and this area is light years ahead of Tallahassee when it comes to race relations.  You will enjoy your time here if you come. 

[charlie11]

I'm pretty set on attending. Thanks to everyone who replied.

[JerseyBull06]

As has been said you shouldn't have any problems with your age and I haven't seen any racial issues. USF is much like any other major university, you get out of it what you put into it. You can be as involved or uninvolved on campus as you choose to be.

I was a business major so I can't talk about the college you'd be in but I would say unless things have changed recently expect some headaches when it comes to the general administration and the registration process. USF is still in my opinion not up to par in those areas (I attended another university for 2 years prior to USF so have something to compare it to).

Still overall USF is a good university and is progressing academically every year. Tampa is also a great setting for the school. Good luck and we look forward to having you in Bulls Country soon!