USF Sarasota-Manatee at MCC Venice adds more office space, to accommodate growth of USF offerings in south county 

SARASOTA, FL (December 21, 2006) – The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee at MCC Venice has grown again, with the addition of a modular building to be used as office space for USF employees and faculty and a classroom serving south Sarasota County and the surrounding region.

The addition of the modular building for USF office space at MCC Venice helps to further solidify and expand the USF Sarasota-Manatee program at MCC Venice. USF Sarasota-Manatee at MCC Venice became a permanent, state-funded entity in May 2006.  Previously the program was privately funded as a two-year pilot project by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice.

“Getting more room is essential to the growth of the program,” said Susan Freeman, director of USF Sarasota-Manatee at MCC Venice.  “Since the program became permanent, we’ve added new employees and students, which increased our need for space.  This addition further solidifies the South Sarasota county program and also frees up space for MCC.  We are both growing.”

While most of the USF classes at MCC Venice are taught by USF professors, USF also features a teleconferencing system that allows students at the MCC Venice location to participate in courses that are taking place at USF Sarasota-Manatee’s main campus center near the Sarasota Manatee airport.  A screen projects live, real-time courses that are interactive -- so students in the classroom at MCC can ask questions and participate in the class occurring at the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus center. 

“This is just another step towards further expansion,” Freeman said.  “We hope to be able to have a grand opening event soon.”

Located in South Sarasota County at 8000 S. Tamiami Trail, USF Sarasota-Manatee at MCC Venice offers coursework to people in North Port, Port Charlotte, Venice, Englewood, Punta Gorda and the surrounding area. The program serves people of all ages who have at least an associate’s degree or 60 transferable credit hours and who want to pursue their bachelor’s degree.

For more information about USF Sarasota-Manatee at MCC Venice – including classes, admissions and financial aid -- contact the USF Sarasota-Manatee South County Student Affairs office at (941) 408-1577 or visit http://www.sarasota.usf.edu/south/.