Tagged: USF

University of South Florida president Judy Genshaft gave her fall address today, and she described a university that's bringing more money in through grants and research, but having to tighten its belt anyway.

UPDATE Sept. 19 11:30 a.m. -- USF will hold a 'tropical paradise' themed welcome event Thursday, September 20th, as TODAY Show correspondent Sara Haines reports live between 10 and 11 a.m. from the Marshall Student Center bull fountains. Students, faculty and staff are being encouraged to wear green and gold beach wear and show up starting at 8:30 a.m. to show off their school spirit.

ORIGINAL POST

The University of South Florida is battling Syracuse University, Ohio State University and three other colleges for the right to have NBC's TODAY Show broadcast live on campus.

According a release from USF News, the University is one of six finalists in TODAY's “Kathie Lee and Hoda Go Back to College” contest, which is trying to find the institution "with the greatest creativity, originality and most school spirit." The school that gets the most online votes will have the fourth hour of the show, featuring Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, broadcast live during the first week of October.

The Chick-fil-A/gay marriage debate has hit the Tampa campus of USF. Humanities professor Scott Ferguson has started a petition on change.org to remove the restaurant from the Marshall Student Center.

Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy made remarks against gay marriage in an interview earlier this year and the incident has solicited boycotts against and rallies in support of it.