University Beat

An organizer for a group that's been fighting the University of South Florida administration over a proposal to develop a preserve in Tampa said he was “quite surprised” about the sudden retirement of USF’s president.

Timothy Boaz had issues with Currall's handling of possible development of the USF Forest Preserve and changes to the College of Education, but praised his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and willingness to work with faculty on budget issues.

Steven Currall said he is retiring as USF president to "preserve" his health and to spend more time with family.

Jason Salemi says the large number of unvaccinated Floridians are at higher risk for serious infection as more transmissible strains of the virus spread rapidly in the community.

The researchers are looking at how a variety of external risk factors, like diet, stress and exposure to pollution or viruses, can help cause Type 1 diabetes.

USF has created a program called BOOST, meant to help student-athletes better manage their “personal brand” now that they can profit from it.

Said one health official: “Now that it has a foothold in Florida, it's just a matter of time before it becomes dominant. So it’s very concerning.”

The scores measure each school's performance in 10 student success-based metrics, including four-year graduation rate, degrees awarded, and median wages of graduates.

The report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation looks at several factors such as income levels, education and access to health care.

In a statement, USF Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly said associate head coach Tom Herrion is no longer with the men's basketball program.

Health experts say vaccine engagement efforts are helping build trust in communities, but there is still a lot of work to do.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused nurses to leave the profession or retire and federal officials estimate there will be a need for 1.1 million new nurses by 2022.