Q. How long has USF offered classes in Sarasota-Manatee?

A. The regional campus started classes during the 1974-75 school year, or 30 years ago.

Q. Why do you need the Crosley Campus Center?

A. We are out of room on the current shared campus with New College of Florida. Our growth in students and programs compels us to build a new campus center. USF serves the South Tampa Bay region and supports economic development in the area by providing nurses, teachers, business people, social workers, accountants and civic leaders through its upper division and graduate level degree programs. USF has not received any funding for buildings since the Cook Library was built in 1986.

Q. Why not just continue to share the campus with New College?

A. The Florida Legislature has decided to separate the two universities. They have completely different missions and serve different students. The Crosley Campus Center not only provides needed space for USF students, but also a distinguished and state-of-the-art facility to attract and retain the finest students and workers in the area. This avoids “brain drain” and provides a continuing education opportunity for students who already work and live here.

Q. Will all USF facilities be moved to the new Crosley Campus?

A. No. While all offices and most classrooms will be located on the Crosley Campus Center, New College and USF will continue to share the Cook Library, Sudakoff Conference Center and the Fitness Center and pool on the current campus. USF’s campus will also include all the property north of College Drive bordering Tamiami Trail and the Bayfront preserve along Uplands Boulevard. USF will continue to host classes on the MCC Venice campus and at various workplaces within the community.

Q. When do you expect the new facility to be ready for occupancy?

Q. How big is the Crosley Campus Center?

A. The building is approximately 100,000 square feet.

Q. What does that include?

A. It includes classrooms, seminar and video conferencing rooms, computer lab and a 190-seat lecture hall. It also will house administration, student services, faculty, food court and many support functions, including a day care center for students with families.

Q. How many students will it accommodate?

A. Due to the increase in daytime students, the campus center will be used both day and night and be able to accommodate 5,000 students annually. If growth exceeds capacity, USF currently owns property along U.S. 41 for potential expansion and may hold classes in other facilities in the community and at MCC Venice.

Q. How does this impact New College of Florida?

A. New College will get much-needed additional space for office and classrooms. The school will take over all the space in Cook Hall, College Hall, the Palmer Center and Hamilton Center, along with its existing space on the historic campus.

Q. What has been done to alleviate environmental, architectural and neighborhood concerns?

Q. The university has hired expert consultants to advise on the best methods to protect the environment and design a campus compatible with the Crosley Mansion. In response to a shared concern with the community, great care has been taken to determine how to provide for gopher tortoises to remain on the property. As a result, 6 1/2 acres have been preserved in its natural state to provide a habitat for the tortoises and underground “eco-tunnels” will be dug under the road. Negotiations with neighbors have resulted in a wall to be erected between the campus and their properties to insulate them from noise and vehicle lights.

Q. Does this facility have a broad base of support?

A. Yes. Local governments, Chambers of Commerce from Sarasota and Manatee counties, the Tampa Bay Partnership, the entire legislative delegation, New College of Florida and a diverse group of students, faculty, civic leaders, property owners and business people have endorsed the Crosley Campus Center and worked on its behalf.

Q. Why does the university need additional private dollars?

A. The building was appropriated by the Legislature through the Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) fund. This fund provides the basic building and infrastructure. Gifts are needed to enhance finishes, equipment and public spaces, provide state-of-the-art technology, and allow for the development of a signature campus for the community. These improvements will benefit our students, employers and the community as a destination for gatherings and important discussions.