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University of San Francisco



 
 
The University of San Francisco (USF) is a private, Jesuit
Society of Jesus

The Society of Jesus is a Roman Catholic religious order of clerks regular whose members are called Jesuits, Soldiers of Jesus Christ, and Foot soldiers of the Pope, because the founder, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, was a knight before becoming a Holy Orders....
 university
University

A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education....
 in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California

The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city in California and the List of United States cities by population in the United States, with a 2007 estimated population of 799,183....
. Founded in 1855, USF is the oldest institution for higher learning in San Francisco and the second oldest institution for higher learning in California.

USF's main campus is located on a hilltop in a setting between the Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay onto the Pacific Ocean. As part of both U.S....
 and Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park, located in San Francisco, California, is a large urban park consisting of 1017 acres of public grounds. Configured as a rectangle, it is similar in shape but 174 acres larger than Central Park in New York, to which it is often compared....
 and is equidistant from the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. Its name is derived from the Latin name Mare Pacificum, "peaceful sea", bestowed upon it by the Portugal explorer Ferdinand Magellan....
 and the San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay

San Francisco Bay is a shallow, productive estuary through which water draining from approximately forty percent of California, flowing in the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River rivers from the Sierra Nevada mountains, enters the Pacific Ocean....
. USF's nickname
Nickname

A nickname is a descriptive name given in place of or in addition to the official name of a person, place or thing. Another class of nickname is the familiar or truncated form of the proper name, such as Bob, Bobby, Rob, Robbie, and Bert for Robert, more properly called a short name....
 is "The Hilltop," appropriately named since the campus is located at the peak of one of San Francisco's major hills.






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The University of San Francisco (USF) is a private, Jesuit
Society of Jesus

The Society of Jesus is a Roman Catholic religious order of clerks regular whose members are called Jesuits, Soldiers of Jesus Christ, and Foot soldiers of the Pope, because the founder, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, was a knight before becoming a Holy Orders....
 university
University

A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education....
 in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California

The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city in California and the List of United States cities by population in the United States, with a 2007 estimated population of 799,183....
. Founded in 1855, USF is the oldest institution for higher learning in San Francisco and the second oldest institution for higher learning in California.

USF's main campus is located on a hilltop in a setting between the Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay onto the Pacific Ocean. As part of both U.S....
 and Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park, located in San Francisco, California, is a large urban park consisting of 1017 acres of public grounds. Configured as a rectangle, it is similar in shape but 174 acres larger than Central Park in New York, to which it is often compared....
 and is equidistant from the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. Its name is derived from the Latin name Mare Pacificum, "peaceful sea", bestowed upon it by the Portugal explorer Ferdinand Magellan....
 and the San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay

San Francisco Bay is a shallow, productive estuary through which water draining from approximately forty percent of California, flowing in the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River rivers from the Sierra Nevada mountains, enters the Pacific Ocean....
. USF's nickname
Nickname

A nickname is a descriptive name given in place of or in addition to the official name of a person, place or thing. Another class of nickname is the familiar or truncated form of the proper name, such as Bob, Bobby, Rob, Robbie, and Bert for Robert, more properly called a short name....
 is "The Hilltop," appropriately named since the campus is located at the peak of one of San Francisco's major hills. USF's close historical ties with the City of San Francisco are reflected in the University's motto
Motto

A motto is a phrase meant to formally describe the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used....
, Pro Urbe et Universitate (For the City and University).

USF's 8,500-member student body is composed of students from seventy-five countries, and is ranked in the top 15 national universities for student diversity and international student enrollment. The University is known for its public service efforts (McCarthy Center), its world-renowned Center for the Pacific Rim (Asian and American Studies), and its nationally recognized graduate programs in the fields of law, business, nursing, and environmental management.

History

Founded as Saint Ignatius
Ignatius of Loyola

Saint Ignatius of Loyola was the principal founder and first Superior General of the Society of Jesus.The compiler of the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola, Ignatius was described by Pope Benedict XVI as being above all a man of God, who gave the first place of his life to God, and a man of profound prayer....
 Academy by the Italian
Italy

Italy , officially the Italian Republic , is a country located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe and on the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily and Sardinia....
 Jesuits Rev. Anthony Maraschi
Anthony Maraschi

The Reverend Anthony Maraschi, S.J. was an Italy-born priest of the Society of Jesus. He was a founder of the University of San Francisco and Saint Ignatius College Preparatory as well as the first pastor of Saint Ignatius Church in San Francisco, California....
, Rev. Joseph Bixio, and Rev. Michael Accolti in 1855, USF began life in a wood frame building along Market Street
Market Street (San Francisco)

Market Street is a major street and important thoroughfare in San Francisco, California. It begins at Embarcadero, San Francisco, California in front of the Ferry Building at the northeastern edge of the city and runs southwest through downtown, passing the Civic Center, San Francisco and the The Castro, to the intersection with Corbett...
 in what later became downtown San Francisco. A charter from the state of California
California

California is a U.S. state on the West Coast of the United States of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. It is bordered by Oregon to the north, Nevada to the east, Arizona to the southeast, and to the south the Mexico state of Baja California....
 in 1859 changed the school's name to Saint Ignatius College and granted it the power to confer degrees
Bachelor's degree

A bachelor's degree is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course or major that generally lasts for three, four, or in some cases and countries, five or six years....
. The original curriculum included Greek
Greek language

Greek is an Indo-European languages native to the southern Balkan peninsula, the language of the Greek people. It forms an independent branch within Indo-European....
, Spanish
Spanish language

Spanish or Castilian is a Romance languages that originated in northern Spain, and gradually spread in the Kingdom of Castile and evolved into the principal language of government and trade....
, Latin
Latin

Latin is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Through the Military history of the Roman Empire, Latin spread throughout the Mediterranean and a large part of Europe....
, English
English studies

English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language , English linguistics , and English sociolinguistics ....
, French
French language

French is a Romance language spoken around the world by around 80 million people as first language, by 190 million as second language, and by about another 200 million people as an acquired tongue, with significant speakers in 54 countries....
, Italian
Italian language

Italian is a Romance languages spoken by about 63 million people as a first language, primarily in Italy. In Switzerland, Italian is one of four Linguistic geography of Switzerlands....
, algebra
Algebra

Algebra is a branch of mathematics concerning the study of structure , relation , and quantity. Together with geometry, mathematical analysis, combinatorics, and number theory, algebra is one of the main branches of mathematics....
, arithmetic
Arithmetic

Arithmetic or arithmetics is the oldest and most elementary branch of mathematics, used by almost everyone, for tasks ranging from simple day-to-day counting to advanced science and business calculations....
, history
HIStory

HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I is a double album by Michael Jackson, released on June 20, 1995, and is Jackson's ninth. The first disc, named "HIStory Begins" consists of a selection of Jackson's greatest hits from the singer's past fifteen years, while the second, named "HIStory Continues" features new songs, with the...
, geography
Geography

Geography is the study of the Earth and its lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth"....
, elocution
Elocution

Elocution is the study of formal speaking in pronunciation, grammar, style, and tone ....
, and bookkeeping
Bookkeeping

Bookkeeping is the recording of the value of assets, liabilities, income, and expenses in the daybooks, journals, and ledgers, in which debit and credit entries are chronologically posted to record changes in value....
. Father Maraschi, apart from being the college's first president, was also a professor and the college's treasurer; and served as Saint Ignatius Church's first pastor
Pastor

The term pastor usually refers to an ordained person within a Christian church. In some countries the term is more usually used in traditional Protestant churches but is also used in reference to priests and bishops within the Anglican, Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christianity churches....
.

USF's Jesuit-Catholic identity is rooted in the symbolic vision of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order. Jesuits are characterized by a dedication to both "the life of the mind and the encounter with the world," a mission distinguished by their intellectual and humanitarian activities — notably in the fields of higher education, human rights, and social justice.

USF's inclusive founding mission attracts students and faculty from diverse religious traditions and a broad range of convictions. However, the Jesuit call to justice is evident in work across religious boundaries in community service, reflection retreats, and immersion programs both on campus and abroad. Alumni also reflect this commitment to humanitarian work: USF ranks highly among Peace Corps
Peace Corps

The Peace Corps was established by Executive order 10924 on March 1, 1961, and authorized by United States Congress on September 22, 1961, with passage of the Peace Corps Act ....
 volunteer-producing colleges.

The University of San Francisco is the tenth-oldest university of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities
Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities

The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities is a consortium of the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities and two theological centers in the United States committed to advancing academic excellence by promoting and coordinating collaborative activities, sharing resources, advocating and representing the work of Jesuit higher education...
.

A new building was constructed in 1862 to replace the first frame building and the first degree was awarded a year later. In 1871, Joseph Neri S. J., professor of natural philosophy
Natural philosophy

Natural philosophy or the philosophy of nature , is a term applied to the Objectivity study of nature and the physical universe that was dominant before the development of modern science....
, displayed an electric arc
Electric arc

An electric arc is an electrical breakdown of a gas which produces an ongoing Plasma Electrostatic discharge, resulting from a current flowing through normally Electrical conductance media such as air....
 light from the Market Street church. Five years later, Neri would illuminate Market Street with electric lamps for the centennial of American independence.

In 1880, the college moved from Market Street to a new site on the corner of Hayes Street and Van Ness Avenue (currently occupied by the Davies Symphony Hall). 1863 saw the founding of the College Players, USF's student theater group, the oldest continuous theater group operating west of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River

The Mississippi River is the longest river in the United States, with a length of from its source in Lake Itasca in Minnesota to its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico....
 and the second oldest in the United States. The third Saint Ignatius College was destroyed in the earthquake and fire of 1906
1906 San Francisco earthquake

The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 was a major earthquake that struck San Francisco, California, California and the coast of Northern California at 5:12 A.M....
 and the campus moved further westward to the corner of Hayes and Shrader Streets, close to Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park, located in San Francisco, California, is a large urban park consisting of 1017 acres of public grounds. Configured as a rectangle, it is similar in shape but 174 acres larger than Central Park in New York, to which it is often compared....
. The college moved to its present site on the south slope of Lone Mountain, in 1927.

To celebrate its diamond jubilee
Diamond Jubilee

A Diamond Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 60th anniversary in the case of a person or a 75th anniversary in the case of an event , such as in the case of the University of Nottingham's Jubilee Campus....
 in 1930, Saint Ignatius College changed its name to the University of San Francisco. A male-only school for most of its history, USF became fully coeducational in 1964. In 1969, the high school division became wholly separate from the university and became St. Ignatius College Preparatory
St. Ignatius College Preparatory

St. Ignatius College Preparatory, is a University-preparatory school in the Society of Jesus tradition serving the San Francisco Bay Area since 1855....
.

Today USF is organized into six academic divisions, with 7,487 students and 506 faculty members. The university also operates four regional campuses around northern California
Northern California

Northern California or Nor Cal is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The region contains the San Francisco Bay Area, the state capital, Sacramento, California; as well as the substantial natural beauty of the Sequoia forests, the North Coast, California, the Big Sur coastline area, the Sierra Nevada including Yosem...
. These campuses are Sacramento
Sacramento, California

Sacramento is the Capital of the United States U.S. state of California, and the county seat of Sacramento County, California. Located along the Sacramento River and just south of the American River's confluence in California's expansive California Central Valley, it is the seventh-largest city in California.....
, San Ramon
San Ramon, California

San Ramon is a city in Contra Costa County, California, California, United States. It is a part of the San Francisco Bay Area. The population was 44,722 at the 2000 United States Census....
, Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa, California

Santa Rosa is the county seat of Sonoma County, California, United States. As of January 1, 2007, the population of Santa Rosa was approximately 157,985 residents....
, and South Bay (Cupertino
Cupertino, California

Cupertino is a suburban city in Santa Clara County, California, California, United States, directly west of San Jose on the western edge of the Santa Clara Valley with portions extending into the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains....
). USF is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Western Association of Schools and Colleges

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of six official academic bodies responsible for the School accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools in the United States and foreign institutions of American origin....
, and the School of Business and Management (SOBAM) is accredited by the AACSB.

The Jesuit university's academic freedom
Academic freedom

Academic freedom is the belief that the freedom of inquiry by students and faculty members is essential to the mission of the academy. They argue that academic communities are repeatedly targeted for repression due to their ability to shape and control the flow of information....
 has encountered criticism from conservative elements in the Catholic Church opposed to speaking invitations to people who espouse views divergent from Catholic doctrine. In 2004, Bishop Allen Henry Vigneron
Allen Henry Vigneron

Allen Henry Vigneron, Ph.D., S.T.L. is an United States prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the current Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit, having previously served as Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland from 2003 to 2009....
 of the Diocese of Oakland forbid the Catholic Voice newspaper from printing an advertisement for a seminar called "Imaging the Future Church," sponsored by a group of Catholic lay people who have called for church reforms. Also in 2004, the Cardinal Newman Society
Cardinal Newman Society

The Cardinal Newman Society is an organization founded in 1993 and dedicated to the renewal of Catholic identity on the campuses of colleges and university in the United States of America....
 protested the university's selection of Mayor Gavin Newsom
Gavin Newsom

Gavin Christopher Newsom is the current mayor of San Francisco. A Democratic Party , Newsom was elected mayor in 2003, succeeding Willie Lewis Brown, Jr....
 as speaker for the business school's annual commencement ceremony, for his views on abortion and gay-rights.

October 2005 marked the 150th anniversary of the university's founding.

Campus

Usfsatellitephoto
USF's main campus occupies three blocks north of the Golden Gate Park Panhandle
Panhandle (San Francisco)

The Panhandle is a park in San Francisco, California, California that forms a panhandle with Golden Gate Park. It is long and narrow, being three-quarters of a mile long and one block wide....
, on the southern slope and peak of Lone Mountain. It lies on the boundaries of four San Francisco neighborhoods: Haight-Ashbury, the Western Addition, the Richmond District and the area north of the Panhandle
Panhandle

A panhandle or salient is an informal Political geography term for an elongated tail-like protrusion of a geo-political entity, such as an administrative division or a Sovereignty state that extends into another such entity as a peninsula extends into the water body....
, commonly referred to as NoPa.

Location

USF is prime real estate. It is located in the center of San Francisco and is set upon a hill looking out onto the rest of the city. With help from the MUNI transit system downtown San Francisco, Ocean Beach, and Fisherman’s Wharf, as well as many other local districts, are a 15-30 minute bus ride away. USF is also located 6 blocks away from historic Haight Ashbury and is a 10-minute walk to Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park, located in San Francisco, California, is a large urban park consisting of 1017 acres of public grounds. Configured as a rectangle, it is similar in shape but 174 acres larger than Central Park in New York, to which it is often compared....
. Haight Ashbury offers great local places to eat as well as good shopping all surrounded by San Francisco culture.

The Richmond District is a residential area split up into two sections: Inner Richmond and Outer Richmond. The Richmond is well known for its very large selection of restaurants, ranging from Mexican, Russian, French, Italian and an array of Asian cuisines. This area is commonly referred to as the "New Chinatown." The Inner Richmond is within walking distance from Stow Lake, the Japanese Tea Garden and many museums within the Golden Gate Park. The Outer Richmond is mainly a residential area with some shopping areas. Geary Boulevard runs along the Richmond and leads all the way to downtown.

Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park, located in San Francisco, California, is a large urban park consisting of 1017 acres of public grounds. Configured as a rectangle, it is similar in shape but 174 acres larger than Central Park in New York, to which it is often compared....
 is the backyard of University of San Francisco. Walking/biking one block gets you into one of the many entrances of Golden Park. Amongst this gigantic playground, are many hidden treasures. Golden Gate Park features museums like the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum and the new California Academy of Sciences
California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is one of the ten largest museums of natural history in the World . Remodeled in 2008, it is also one of the newest in the United States....
. USF students, especially art students, are able to take advantage of these brilliant museums with passes and memberships . Golden Gate Park also offers to USF students many natural wonders infused with culture like the Japanese Tea Garden
Japanese Tea Garden

Japanese Tea Garden may refer to:*Fort Worth Japanese Garden*Portland Japanese Garden*San Antonio Japanese Tea Gardens*Japanese Tea Garden ...
, a music auditorium, sports field, and other tucked away botanical gardens, lakes, and walk paths. Golden Gate Park is also one giant venue for music festivals.

The San Francisco Municipal Railway
San Francisco Municipal Railway

The San Francisco Municipal Railway, commonly known as Muni, is the public transit system for the consolidated city-county of San Francisco, California....
, or Muni as locals like to call it, makes travel easy throughout the city. Bus line numbers 5, 21, 31, and 43 serve the entire USF community. At the commencement of each term, students are provided with a Muni-pass, which is included in the tuition.

Academic buildings

  • College of Professional Studies (PS) - Formerly Lincoln University, the University acquired the building in 1999 and made it the new home of the College of Professional Studies.
  • Cowell Hall (CO) - Named after San Francisco philanthropist
    Philanthropist

    A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable organization....
     Samuel Cowell, Cowell Hall houses offices and classrooms for the School of Nursing and other departments, such as the school's Learning and Writing Center.
  • Harney Science Center (HR) - Houses classrooms, the offices of the College of Arts and Sciences and the departmental and faculty offices of the Sciences departments. Plans are in place for a new Integrated Science Center and a design firm has been selected for the construction of a new wing to Harney Science Center that will increase by 50 percent the space devoted to science education at USF and provide students and faculty with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. The building will benefit not only science, math, and nursing majors, but all 4,200 undergraduates who take science as part of their core curriculum. The Integrated Science Center drive is among several continuing project that will carry on beyond the conclusion of The Campaign for USF.
  • Kalmanovitz Hall (KA) - This building houses the humanities department and social sciences department. Once named Campion Hall after the English
    England

    native_name =|conventional_long_name = England|common_name = England|image_flag = Flag of England.svg|image_coat = England COA.svg|symbol_type = Royal Coat of Arms...
     Jesuit martyr
    Martyr

    The term martyr is most commonly used today to describe an individual who sacrifices his or her life in order to further a cause or belief for many....
     Saint Edmund Campion
    Edmund Campion

    Saint Edmund Campion, S.J. was an England Jesuit priest and martyr....
    , the building undertook extensive renovation in the Summer of 2008. The renovation is now complete and the building is renamed Kalmanovitz Hall, named after brewing magnate Paul Kalmanovitz
    Paul Kalmanovitz

    Paul Kalmanovitz was a millionaire brewing and real estate magnate best known for owning all or part of several national breweries and their products, including Falstaff Beer and Pabst Brewing Company....
    .
  • Koret Law Center - Home of USF's School of Law, containing both the Dorainne Zief Law Library (ZL) and Kendrick Hall (KN), the original law school building.
  • Lone Mountain (LM) - Formerly Lone Mountain College
    Lone Mountain College

    Formerly the San Francisco College for Women, Lone Mountain College was officially established in 1968. The college operated for 10 years before being acquired by the University of San Francisco in 1978....
    , the Lone Mountain campus now houses faculty offices, classrooms, and housing for 180 students. It also houses the offices of the University President and Vice-Presidents.
  • McLaren Conference Center (MC) – Part of Phelan Hall's west wing, McLaren houses offices and classrooms for the School of Business and Management (SOBAM). McLaren Center includes Malloy Hall (MH), USF's newest addition.
  • School of Education (ED) - Houses the administrative offices of the School of Education as well as classrooms and Presentation Theater (PT). Formerly Presentation High School until it was purchased by USF.
  • University Center (UC) - Houses departmental and faculty offices, as well as ASUSF offices and facilities and the main student cafeteria.


Gleeson Library and the Geschke Learning Resource Center

Libraries are recognized as essential to the academic enterprise, and, as an academic library
Academic library

An academic library is a library which serves an institution of higher learning, such as a college or a university ? libraries in secondary and primary schools are called school library....
, The Gleeson Library acts to maintain the function of the modern school library media center. This includes a central collection of diverse learning resources to support a school’s curriculum, meet individual students’ needs and interests, and ensure that young people develop information literacy skills within the school’s curriculum. This concept of a learning resource center is both a social development of the twentieth century and an evolution of information exchange. The Gleeson Library, located in the center of the lower campus of University of San Francisco, succeeds in employing the serviceability of an academic library and the value of information literacy with prestige and innovation. The Gleeson Library is committed to bridging the gap between traditional academic conservatism and modern technological resources.

As of 2005, the library held more than 680,000 books, 130,000 journals, 2,200 periodical subscriptions and 900,000 other materials including microforms, government documents, CD-ROMS, videos and audios. The building includes the Geschke Learning Resource Center, the library, The Thacher Gallery, The Donihue Rare Book Room and the William Monihan, S.J. Atrium.

Ground was broken on May 15, 1949 for the construction of the Gleeson library building, and completed on December 3, 1950. At the dedication of the building, USF President William Dunne, S.J., delivered an address commemorating the building as the "first unit in the overall plan for a Greater University of San Francisco." The Geschke Learning Resource Center addition was constructed in 1997. Named for USF Board of Trustees chairmen Charles and his wife, Nancy Geschke, it was the first new building constructed on the campus since 1973.

Included in the addition was the construction of the William Monihan, S.J. Atrium, a open-space study area open to students twenty four hours a day. This architecturally dramatic space was designed for use by students and faculty alike, as well as a venue for functions for the University. An inscription explains the dedication of the space to Fr. Monihan; “Reverend William J. Monihan, S.J. 1914-1996. Jesuit, University Librarian, Bibliophile, San Franciscan, Caring Friend to Many.” Fr. Monihan also was key in the development of the Donohue Rare Book Room, which contains the university’s extraordinarily special collections, including rare books, prints, and literary and historical manuscripts.

The building also features the Thacher Gallery, a gift of Mary and Carter Thacher, which is “committed to presenting a range of artistic media and expression, from regional to international, experimental to traditional. Each year the gallery presents exhibitions diverse in subject and material, including an annual student showcase.” The first exhibit was mounted in the winter of 1998, and continues to feature up to five exhibits a year with art from students as well as local and international artists. The gallery is free and open to the entire USF community as well as the public during regular library hours.

Among these features of the Gleeson Library building, the library offers an exceedingly wide range of services. Multiple computer workstations are available for printing, research and personal use as well as the USF wireless network through the entire building. The library also houses several private study rooms as well as public and cubicle work areas. An interlibrary loan feature is available, as well as a book club and a service to “chat” with librarians on instant messenger to receive help. Another unique feature of the library is its blog, titled Gleeson Gleanings, which features news and updates from the library and resource center.

Athletic facilities

Koret Health and Recreation Center (KO) - The Koret Health and Recreation Center (called "the Koret Center" by students and staff) is a full-service, state of the art athletic facility serving USF students, staff, and residents of the surrounding community. Construction on the Koret Center began in 1987 on the former site of Saint Ignatius High School. The Koret Center opened in 1989, with final construction costs totalling 22 million dollars. Many colleges and universities across the nation have recently followed suit by building expensive, brand new athletic facilities to keep up with increasing demand for such facilities from incoming students and student-athletes.

The Koret Center is named after Joseph and Susan Koret of the Koret Foundation
Koret Foundation

The Koret Foundation, along with the Koret Fund, is a private foundation based in San Francisco, California. The foundation was organized in 1978 by Joseph and Stephanie Koret, along with Tad Taube, their family friend and Chief Executive Officer of their women's sportswear company, Korett of California, Inc. The fou...
, a San Francisco philanthropic group that was the primary donor to the construction of the center. The Koret Center sports an Olympic-sized swimming pool, four basketball courts, seven volleyball courts, one racquetball courts, numerous cardiovascular machines, a weight room with an array of high-performance resistance-training machines and free weights, dance studio, aerobics studio, combatives room, student lounge with a flatscreen plasma television and ping pong and billiards tables, equipment rental desk, and fully equipped men's and women's locker rooms. There are many free weekly classes, such as spinning, yoga, pilates, "abs & glutes," and self-defense, and for extra fees, the Koret Center offers personal training, massages, CPR classes, and swimming lessons. The Koret Center also plays home to the USF intramural sports department, and hosts games for intramural basketball, volleyball, and indoor soccer. The building has photovoltaic panels that, along with the panels on other buildings around campus, contribute 16 percent of the lower campus' peak electricity needs.

The Koret Center is known as one of the best gyms in San Francisco, and in 2001 it won the "Best Gym and Pool" award from SF Weekly magazine. Besides serving the USF student and faculty communities, the Koret Center sells memberships to residents in surrounding neighborhoods. It also rents gym space to local youth and high school basketball and volleyball teams, and is willing to volunteer its space and services to some outside groups. For example, it hosted the swimming, basketball, and volleyball competitions for the 2008 International Children's Games that were held in San Francisco.

  • Negoesco Stadium
    Negoesco Stadium

    Negoesco Stadium is a 3,000 seat soccer stadium located in San Francisco, California, on the campus of University of San Francisco. It is the home field for the men's and women's soccer teams....
    (NS)
    - Named after alumnus Steve Negoesco, who coached four championship men's soccer teams. It is USF's soccer stadium.
  • Ulrich Field (UL) - This athletic field was named in honor of Max Ulrich who left his estate to the school. It contains Benedetti Diamond, home field for USF's baseball
    Baseball

    Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport of nine players each. The goal of baseball is to score run by hitting a thrown Baseball with a baseball bat and touching a series of four markers called base arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot square, or diamond. Players on one team take turns hitting against...
     team.
  • War Memorial Gymnasium
    War Memorial Gymnasium

    The War Memorial Gymnasium in San Francisco, California is an athletic venue on the University of San Francisco campus. It currently serves as home for the USF men's and women's college basketball teams as well as the women's volleyball team....
    (MG)
    - Home court for the volleyball and men and women's basketball teams. Also houses the athletic department offices and training facilities. Dedicated to USF students and faculty killed in action in various wars.


Religious buildings

Si Tower
*Loyola House (LH) - Residence for the 24 members of the USF Jesuit Community. It was completed in 1999 and is located on Lone Mountain. The house was named after Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits (the Society of Jesus).
  • Saint Ignatius Church
    Saint Ignatius Church (San Francisco)

    Saint Ignatius Church is a church on the campus of the University of San Francisco in San Francisco, California. The church serves a parish of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco and is the university's chapel....
     (SI)
    - Often mistaken as San Francisco's Roman Catholic cathedral
    Cathedral

    A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop. It is a Religion building for worship, specifically of a denomination with an episcopal hierarchy, such as the Roman Catholic Church, Anglicanism, Orthodox Christian and some Lutheranism churches, which serves as a bishop's seat, and thus as the central church of a dioc...
    , Saint Ignatius was completed in 1914 and is the University's spiritual home as well as a parish church for the surrounding community.


Residence life


The University of San Francisco provides on-campus housing for freshmen and sophomores, with independent living options for upper-division students. Housing underclassmen, Hayes-Healy, Gillson, Phelan, and Fromm Hall are all located on main campus, while Lone Mountain hall is located on the northern Lone Mountain campus. Pedro Arrupe hall, located 12 blocks off the main campus, houses upperclassmen and graduate students. Both Loyola Village and Fulton House, located on the outskirts of campus, house upper-division students.

Sustainability

Fueled by memories of the 1970s Energy Crisis, the University of San Francisco has made an effort to encourage an environmentally conscious student body as well as making changes towards a more sustainable campus. Throughout the university’s campus, students and faculty are involved in multiple clubs and organizations that are dedicated to minimizing the campus’s environmental impact. Faculty participation includes The Green Team, a committee dedicated to bringing environmental awareness to USF. Student run groups, such as Back to da Roots, Envision, The Garden Project, and Trust the Tap have brought several changes to the campus including the consumption of fair trade coffee, the creation of organic gardens, composting, and the encouragement of re-usable containers for tap water.

In the Fall of 2007, the Garden Project (a Living Learning Community) was formed based around the creating and maintaining of the Campus’ first Organic Garden. Initially headed by Media Studies Professor, Filmmaker, and Organic Gardner Melinda Stone and Architecture Professor Seth Watchel, the Garden houses fruits, vegetables, and herbs with the help and continuous care provided by students and community members, alike.

Last year, USF installed approximately of solar panels to the top of Gleeson Library. In addition to energy-saving windows, high-efficiency lighting, energy efficient skylights, and insulated outer walls, the University has spent $375,000 on solar panels for the recently renovated Kalmanovitz Hall. Combined with Cowell Hall, Gleeson Library, Koret Health and Recreation Center, and the University Center, the added solar panels to Kalmanovitz Hall has boosted USF’s energy production from 71 kilowatt hours to nearly 420 kilowatt hours. USF’s carbon footprint has subsequently been reduced by 330 tons a year, says Everette Ersery, the assistant director of facilities. Ersery was quoted in the USF Magazine saying “it has significantly reduced our carbon footprint and electrical bill, while reducing the amount of energy we and PG&E use.” The solar panels produce 16 percent of the lower campus’s energy needs. The assistant vice president of facilities management said that solar heated rooftop water pipes heat 50 percent of the water used in residence halls.

For the first time the University of San Francisco participated in a recycling competition, which included a total of 200 nationwide colleges and universities. The “Recyclemania” competition encourages campuses to reduce, reuse, and recycle. University of San Francisco ranked fifth out of 200 schools in the category of targeted material- Service Organics. Aside from participating in “recyclemania,” the University of San Francisco has established a composting program that began in September of 2008. The new program strives to compost all food waste from the kitchen and cafeteria. Through the composting program the University of San Francisco has managed to prevent about 36 tons of material per month from being thrown out. Composting containers are available in the cafeteria.

The President's Cabinet, in the summer of 2008, voted unanimously to approve a new campus smoking policy which would ban smoking on-campus completely except for two designated smoking areas, one at Lone Mountain and one at lower campus in the garden between the Gillson and Phelan residence halls. This action by USF
USF

USF can stand for:*University of South Florida, a public university with its main campus in Tampa, Florida, USA.** University of South Florida Lakeland, branch center in Lakeland, Florida, USA....
 is a trend in a new initiative in colleges across the country to take action in making campuses smoke free. In August 2000 the American College Health Association (ACHA) issued a statement to all connected institutions to support their Tobacco Policy which would call for campus wide smoke free atmospheres. USF
USF

USF can stand for:*University of South Florida, a public university with its main campus in Tampa, Florida, USA.** University of South Florida Lakeland, branch center in Lakeland, Florida, USA....
 is now one of more than 500 universities in the country that have anti-smoking policies. USF
USF

USF can stand for:*University of South Florida, a public university with its main campus in Tampa, Florida, USA.** University of South Florida Lakeland, branch center in Lakeland, Florida, USA....
 is currently offering cessation programs and other awareness and educational opportunities to help students quit. Since the ban is in the early transitional stage there are currently no fines or citations being issued to those who are in violation.

Organization and administration

USF is governed by a Board of Trustees along with the University President, the University Chancellor
Chancellor (education)

A Chancellor is the head of a university. Other titles are sometimes used, such as President or Rector.In most Commonwealth of Nations nations, the Chancellor is usually a Titular ruler non-resident head, often with a Pro-Chancellor as practical Chairman of the governing body ; the actual chief executive of a university is the V...
, the University Provost
Provost (education)

Provost is the title of a senior academic administrator at many institutions of higher education in the United States and Canada. It is the equivalent of Deputy Vice Chancellor or Pro-Vice-Chancellor at certain institutions in United Kingdom and Ireland such as Trinity College Dublin, and the head of certain ancient colleges ....
 and Vice-presidents, and the Dean
Dean (education)

In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific Academia unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both....
s. The current president (since 2000) is Rev. Stephen A. Privett, S. J. The university is organized into six schools:

  • School of Law (1912)
  • College of Arts and Sciences (Originally the whole university; became a distinct entity in 1926, reorganized 1982)
  • School of Business and Management (1947, reorganized 1999)
  • School of Nursing
    University of San Francisco School of Nursing

    The University of San Francisco School of Nursing is a private nursing school located in San Francisco, California, California. First established in 1954, the school has approximately 800 students....
     (1954)
  • School of Education (1972)
  • USF College of Professional Studies (1981)


Academics

In 2008-09, U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is an influential United States newsmagazine published in Washington, D.C. Along with Time and Newsweek, it was for many years a leading news weekly, although it focused more than its counterparts on political, economic, health and education stories....
's College and University rankings scored USF as a top tier (Tier I), National University. USF is known for its service learning and public service efforts through its McCarthy Center and other programs. An example is the student-developed campaign funding site, whosfundingwhom.org. USF's Performing Arts and Social Justice major is the only undergraduate program of its kind in the nation.

The University requirements for the baccalaureate degree include completion of the Core Curriculum.

Rankings


In 2008, USF was prominently featured on Princeton Review's Best 370 Colleges Rankings .

The USF MBA Entrepreneurship Program is ranked 25th in the nation.

The USF MBA program is consistently ranked in the top ten in the nation for business schools with the greatest opportunities for minority students, and is now currently ranked 6th .

The USF MBA program is ranked among the best 150 business schools in the world.

USF is ranked 18th among national universities for student ethnic diversity and international student enrollment

USF is ranked 15th in the Nation for Diverse Student Population and 11th in the nation for Best College Town

USF is also ranked among the top 100 national universities by their benefit to society

USF is deemed one of only 60 universities with the status of an “Engaged University”

USF’s McLaren College of Business in the School of Business and Management is ranked in the top 50 business school

USF also received recognition for its community involvement when it was awarded the Fr. Alfred Boeddeker Award by the in 2007. The award was given in recognition of "the strong relationship" between USF and as well as the active involvement of the USF Faculty and Students with several projects

USF MBA program is ranked among the best 143 business schools in the world. USF School of Business and Management is ranked as one of the Best Graduate Schools in the Nation for Entrepreneurs by Entrepreneur Magazine and Princeton Review.

Student exchange programs

Through the Office of Global Education, USF students have the opportunity to continue their college education abroad in one of many different countries. "Evaluating overseas programs can be difficult. The study abroad business has traditionally been a cottage industry with a confusing hodgepodge of domestic and foreign universities, and independent organizations--some of them for profit--providing thousands of programs in more 100 countries." (Chronicle of Higher Education Issue Sept. 7, 2007)To help students through this difficulty USF has an office full of people ready and willing to help students choose the best program for their interests or major. Shelves of pamphlets fill the office with important information on the schools, programs, and cities each program is in.

The School of Law maintains its own exchange programs with Trinity College
Trinity College, Dublin

Trinity College, Dublin , corporately designated as the Provost, Fellows and Scholars of the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I of England as the "mother of a university", and is the only constituent residential college of the University of Dublin....
 in Dublin
Dublin

Dublin is both the largest city and capital of Republic of Ireland. It is located near the midpoint of Ireland's east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey and at the centre of the Dublin Region....
, Ireland
Ireland

Ireland is the List of islands by area in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world. It lies to the north-west of continental Europe and is surrounded by hundreds of islands and islet....
 and Charles University in Prague
Prague

Prague is the Capital and World's largest cities of the Czech Republic. Its official name is Hlavn? mesto Praha, meaning Prague, the Capital City....
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic

The Czech Republic , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country borders Poland to the northeast, Germany to the west, Austria to the south and Slovakia to the east....
. Relevant international coursework includes the study of European Community Law, International Business Transactions, and European Constitutionalism. The latter has been taught by Vojtech Cepl, the principal drafter of the post-communist Constitution of the Czech Republic. Following his role in the Velvet Revolution
Velvet Revolution

The "Velvet Revolution" or "Gentle Revolution" refers to a nonviolence revolution in Czechoslovakia that saw the overthrow of the Communist government....
 of 1989, Mr. Cepl currently is a justice of the Czech Constitutional Court.

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)

ROTC is an elective curriculum you take along with your required college classes. The curriculum prepares cadets to become an Officer in the United States Army upon graduation from college. ROTC can also pay for a cadet's college tuition. USF hosts an Army ROTC program and an Air Force ROTC program. Requirements for entering the program include: A minimum high school GPA of 2.5, an SAT score of at least 920 or an ACT score of at least 19, cadets must accept a commission in the U.S. Army, and cadets must meet Army physical fitness and height/weight standards.

Army
This branch of ROTC offers a nursing program and a commissioning program. ROTC also offers four, three, and two year scholarships.

Nursing Program: ROTC cadets in the nursing program must maintain a certain GPA to keep their scholarships. Cadets are expected to complete the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in four years. Clinical training in local hospitals for cadets begins sophomore year.

Commissioning Program: The standard commissioning program consists of an eight semester course of study. This includes 4 semesters of lower division courses totalling 12 units, and 4 semesters of upper division courses totalling 12 units as well. Upon completion, cadets will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant

Second Lieutenant is the lowest Officer military rank in many armed forces.In British English the rank is pronounced second /l?f't?n?nt/ , while in American English it is pronounced second /lu't?n?nt/ ....
 in the Army.

Air Force
The Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFROTC) curriculum includes 12-16 course hours of instruction by active duty Air Force officers over a two-to-four year period. AFROTC offers four, three, and two year scholarships. Upon completion of the AFROTC program, cadets will receive an Air Force commission as a Second Lieutenant and are guaranteed a position in the active duty Air Force.

At the start of World War I, USF (then the University of St. Ignatius) saw great declines in enrollment as students elected to join the war effort. In August 1918, the president of the University (Patrick Foote, S.J.) announced that the United States Commissioner of Education had requested that as many young people as possible stay in college to receive government supervised military training and qualify as officers. On September 6, 1918, students were informed that the university had been accepted as a unit in the national Students Army Training Corps, the predecessor of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). Lieutenant Arthur Mohr of the U.S. Army reported to the University of St. Ignatius as the first commanding officer of the Students Army Training Corps on September 16, 1918. The program was officially announced on October 1st, and the unit was in full operation by the end of October 1918. After the Armistice was signed ending WWI on November 11, 1918, the Student Army Training Corps began to disband and was completely demobilized by the end of 1918.

Again, during World War II, enrollment at USF declined with the departure of many students for military and naval service. The number of students at the university dropped from 1,337 before the attack on Pearl Harbor, to 321 by the spring of 1945. This dramatic enrollment decline came along with a budget shortfall at USF. The president of the university at this time (President William Dunne, S.J.) traveled to Washington to seek retention of the ROTC program and the addition of other military training programs for the University. It was his hope that this might save the University from the financial difficulties which were increasing as the student body became smaller. These efforsts paid off in July 1943 when the U.S. government established an Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP) at USF. This program was for the training of engineers, and it brought 300 students from all over the country to the University. The ASTP program helped stabilize USF's financial situation. Then, in March 1944, the government announced the discontinuation of the ASTP nationwide due to the extreme need for overseas manpower. The program was officially closed at USF on March 29, 1944, and the students were ordered to active military service. .

ROTC currently operates on campus under the command of the Military Science Department. Located between Lone Mountain and the School of Education, the Underhill Building houses offices and training facilities for USF's Army
United States Army

The United States Army is the branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for Army operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S....
 ROTC unit. This department was established at the University in 1936 for patriotic motives and to cooperate with the Federal Government for national defense. ROTC was greatly expanded in 1946 when President Johnson signed into law a new legislation that established four year scholarships, monthly retainer pay, and increased summer camp pay.

Student clubs and organizations

The University of San Francisco is home to over 75 clubs and organizations. The wide variety of clubs includes academic, cultural, service, social, and special interest, allowing students to share their interests and meet new people. The mission and goals of USF's student clubs and organizations is to provide programs and services that support students' leadership development and promote student engagement in co-curricular activities.

Up 'til Dawn
Up 'til Dawn

Up 'til Dawn is a nationwide student-led, student-run program in which college students raise funds for and awareness of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital....
 is a student-led organization, hosted not only by USF, but also by a number of colleges throughout the country. Leaders and members of the club facilitate fundraising efforts for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Students write thousands of letters soliciting donations for the hospital. Through these letter-writing campaigns and a variety of events, the club seeks to raise money to aid in finding a cure for childhood cancer. Up 'til Dawn is one of the many student-run organizations at USF that speak to the University’s mission of “Educating Hearts and Minds to Change the World”, allowing students to become actively involved in creating change.

Back to da roots is one of many USF social justice clubs. This group is committed to promoting sustainable living on campus whether through working in the school garden, planning fair trade
Fair trade

Fair trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach to empowering developing country producers and promoting sustainability. The movement advocates the payment of a fair price as well as social and environmental standards in areas related to the production of a wide variety of goods....
 events or petitioning for the campus dining to carry environmentally friendly products. Bon Appetit, USF’s dining service has made many recent changes that involve providing environmentally safe products, such as fair trade
Fair trade

Fair trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach to empowering developing country producers and promoting sustainability. The movement advocates the payment of a fair price as well as social and environmental standards in areas related to the production of a wide variety of goods....
 coffee and silverware that is biodegradable. Many of these changes have been initiated by Back to da Roots. Back to da Roots has reserved a plot in one of the school’s gardens that is used for composting and organic gardening on campus. In addition to this, the Back to da Roots club also works off campus in a garden called Quesada in San Francisco’s underrepresented neighborhood, Bayview-Hunters Point. Jeffery Betcher and James Ross, the co-founders of this project say, “[t]he idea of the Learning Garden is to educate locals in organic gardening skills, beautify the neighborhood, and build social cohesion”. Back to da Roots started working in this garden along with residence, community design and architecture students at USF, as well as a Stanford fraternity.

Other social justice clubs includes chapters of Amnesty International
Amnesty International

Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organization which defines its mission as "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated." Founded in London, England in 1961, AI draws its attention to human rights abuses and...
, Best Buddies, School of the Americas Watch
School of the Americas Watch

School of the Americas Watch is an advocacy organization founded by Maryknoll Father Roy Bourgeois and a small group of supporters in 1990 to protest the training of mainly Latin American military officers, by the United States Army, at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation ....
, Invisible Children
Invisible Children

Invisible Children: The Rough Cut is a film about the plight of child soldiers and night commuters in northern Uganda. The documentary was filmed in 2003 when three young men from Southern California?Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey and Laren Poole ?traveled to Sudan "to find a story"....
, and Knitting for Neighbors

USF has student union
Student union

Student union may refer to:* Students' union, or student government in the U.S., a student organization at many colleges and universities dedicated to student governance...
s for Arab, Black, Indian, Latin American, and Muslim students.

In addition to social justice clubs, USF has a USF Surf and Skate Club that has become a popular choice for student involvement. The Skate and Surf Club has acquired numerous sponsors around the Bay Area and sometimes travels with Back To Da Roots to social events, as well as traveling to skate and surf spots all over California.

Student-produced media

The San Francisco Foghorn
San Francisco Foghorn

The San Francisco Foghorn is the official student newspaper at the University of San Francisco.Originally founded in 1903 as The Saint Ignatius, the newspaper changed its name to the San Francisco Foghorn in August 1928, making it one of the oldest collegiate newspapers on the West Coast of the United States....
 is USF's student-operated weekly newspaper. It concentrates on articles that are of general interest to the campus population, and aims to provide the University of San Francisco community with free and fair news on a weekly basis. Its current Editor-in-Chief is Hunter Patterson.

USF has two radio stations, KUSF
KUSF

KUSF 90.3 FM is a free-form college radio station that broadcasts online and over the airwaves from the University of San Francisco, USA. The station is located in the basement of Phelan Hall on the University of San Francisco campus....
 and . KUSF broadcasts both online and on radio on FM frequency 90.3. The station has been broadcasting on this frequency since 1977, and has garnered international attention for its diverse musical programming, which varies from rock to hip hop to world music. KUSF is the recipient of numerous awards, including many public service awards for the station's long-running weekly community service series. USF's other radio station, KDNZ, is student-run and -programmed, providing free DJ lessons to students. KDNZ is broadcast online, and has expanded to provide live DJ entertainment for events.

The University of San Francisco has one TV station, USFtv, which can be seen on Channel 35 on campus television screens. Flat screen TVs have been installed on campus in common areas such as the Market Cafe and Outtakes, making viewing of the station easier. The station is entirely student-run. Programming is screened for advisors beforehand, but not controlled by it. Student producers work largely on their own with guidance from board members to produce content. This content includes a variety of programming,including news, USF Talks, sports, cultural programming, music, student films, and also recently narrative shows such as the "Sunshine Scandals." All of these can be seen on the station's . USF has had a television station, on and off, for a long time, but it was unsuccessful and mostly dormant until 2006, when three students (Dave Binegar, James Kilton, and Robert Lee) founded the station that still exists today.

In 2008 USF student and filmmaker Alex Platt and members of USFtv collaborated with Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean

Wyclef Jean born Wyclef Neluset Jean on October 17, 1972) is a multi-platinum Haitian-United States of America musician, actor, record producer and former-member of the hip hop music trio Fugees....
 to create a music video for his song "If I Was President." A clip of the final result was shown on CNN and the is now on Youtube.

The Ignatian is USF's annual magazine dedicated to the publication of undergraduate student submissions of poetry, prose, art, and photography.

Performing arts groups

USF has numerous student clubs for performing arts, including a theater group (College Players), an improv team (Awkward Silence), a choir (ASUSF voices), and a dance program that entails social justice. The dance program has auditions each semester for a end of the semester showing, where guest choreographers choose students to work with. Past Choreographers include Sharonjean Leeds, Kim Epifano, Cecilia Bowman, Tandy Beal, Katie Faulkner, Amy Dowling, Randee Paufve, and many more.

Greek Life

There are currently seven Greek organizations that receive official recognition by USF’s Greek Council: Chi Upsilon Zeta, Delta Sigma Theta, Delta Zeta, Tri Gamma, Lambda Theta Nu, Lambda Theta Phi, Omicron Theta Chi. 1% of men belong to 3 total fraternities, 2 of which are local and 1 national. 2% of women belong to 6 total sororities, 4 of which are local and 2 national. All of the sororities and fraternities that wish to be recognized by the University must participate in Greek Council. The purpose of Greek Council is to aid in the development of the university’s recognized Greek organizations and their individual members. USF also has chapters of the Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Phi Omega

Alpha Phi Omega is the largest collegiate fraternity in the United States, with chapters at over 350 campuses, an active membership of approximately 17,000 students, and over 350,000 alumni members....
 service fraternity and the Delta Sigma Pi
Delta Sigma Pi

?S? is a co-ed Professional fraternity business Fraternities and sororities in the United States of America. It was founded on November 7, 1907 at the School of Commerce, Accounts and Finance, New York University, New York City, New York and is currently headquartered in Oxford, Ohio, Ohio....
 business faternity.

Student body



The University of San Francisco enrolled 5,278 undergraduates, 2,518 graduate students, and 738 law students in Fall 2007. Women made up 61.9% of the student body and students originated from 49 states and 69 foreign countries. 43.5% of students are Roman Catholic, 6.8% are Protestant, 6.3% are irreligious
Irreligion

File:Irreligion map.pngFile:Religion in the world.PNGFile:Believers - Religion map 2005.svgFile:Religious importance.pngIrreligion is an absence of religion, indifference to religion, or hostility to religion....
, 2.2% are Jewish
Judaism

Judaism is a set of beliefs and practices originating in the Hebrew Bible , as later further explored and explained in the Talmud and other texts....
, 2.1% are Buddhist, and 0.8% are Hindu
Hinduism

'Hinduism' is the predominant religion of the Indian subcontinent. Hinduism is often referred to as , a Sanskrit phrase meaning "the eternal dharma", by its practitioners....
 and Muslim
Islam

Islam is a Monotheism, Abrahamic religion originating with the teachings of the Prophets of Islam Muhammad, a 7th century Arab religious and political figure....
 respectively. 82.4% of students matriculated after their first year, the 4-year graduation rate is 49%, and the 6-year graduation rate is 65%.

In the 1800s, USF's diversity (then Saint Ignatius College
Saint Ignatius College

Saint Ignatius College may refer to:*Saint Ignatius College, Geelong, Victoria, Australia*Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview, New South Wales, Australia...
) was mostly a reflection of the diversity inherent in San Francisco. For example, when German and French
French people

French people can refer to:* The legal residents and citizens of France, regardless of ancestry. For a legal discussion, see French nationality law....
 migrants came to San Francisco, the population of European students in USF increased as well. USF's student population diversity has increased throughout the last century. Filipino
Filipino

Filipino may refer to:* From or related to the Philippines .** Culture of the Philippines, cultural description in article format** Filipino cuisine, snack of the culture...
s started attending the university in the 1920s, after the United State's annexation of Philippines
Philippines

The Philippines, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines, is a country in Southeast Asia with Manila as its capital city. It comprises 7,107 islands in the western Pacific Ocean....
. In 1960s, Mexicans, African Americans, Chinese
Chinese people

The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People who reside in and hold citizenship of the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China or the Republic of China ....
 , Norwegians came to USF. The 1970s marked the start of students from Hong Kong
Hong Kong

Hong Kong , officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is a territory located in Southern China in East Asia, bordering the province of Guangdong to the north and facing the South China Sea to the east, west and south....
, Japan
Japan

Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, People's Republic of China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south....
 and Indonesia
Indonesia

The Republic of Indonesia , is a transcontinental country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Comprising Islands of Indonesia, it is the world's largest Archipelago state....
, coming to USF. In 1964, 473 women enrolled as full-time undergraduates marking the first time women attended USF.

A school census of Fall 1993 undergraduate freshmen indicated 42.66% Whites, 23% Asian Americans, 11% International students, 10% Hispanic
Hispanic

Hispanic is a term that historically denoted relation to the ancient Hispania . During the Modern Era, it took on a more limited meaning relating to the contemporary nation of Spain....
/Latinos. 5% African Americans, 0.34% Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States

Native Americans in the United States are the Indigenous peoples of the Americas from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States United States, including parts of Alaska and the island state of Hawaii....
 and 8% of students in the census chose not to specify. Enrollment in Fall 1993 was a total of 7,662 students, 62.5% of whom were undergraduates. In 2002, a plan was developed by the university to increase the diversity of the USF student population. This plan was enacted by university officials, who also enlisted the help of USF alumni to "assemble a mix of students that will help USF achieve its vision: to educate leaders who will fashion a more humane and just world." In 2002, 64.4% of undergraduates were female and 35.6% were male. This makes intercourse easier for males at USF than at other universities. The plan sought to address concerns of the gender ratio and increase the percentage of international students at USF from 9.4% to around 15%. A statement made by USF President, Stephen A. Privett
Stephen Privett

The Reverend Stephen Privett, S.J. is a Roman Catholic priest and member of the Society of Jesus. Father Privett is the 27th and current president of the University of San Francisco....
, S.J (2000 to present) in an interview by USF Magazine highlighted the importance the university placed on the diversity of its student population. The USF President also clarified the scope of diversity to include "ethnicity, gender and life experiences." In December 2006, USF was awarded a $500,000 grant by the Lumina Foundation for Education to examine "how best to recruit and retain low-income, first-generation, and ethnic minority students at Jesuit universities."

Surveys show that USF students consistently value diversity at USF. A survey conducted for graduating students on 24th May 2007 by USF's Office of Student Enrichment Programs indicated that 86% felt that individual ethnicity, religion, race and other differences were valued at USF. The same survey records that 70% of the graduating students agreed that their appreciation of those differences increased while they were at USF. The result was consistent with past surveys conducted on graduating students, where over the period from May 1997 to December 1999, the result ranged from 78% to 84% for students valued the mentioned differences and 63% to 72% for those who "felt their appreciation of differences increased while at USF." In 2004, a survey by UCLA's Higher Education Research Institute
Higher Education Research Institute

The Higher Education Research Institute serves as an interdisciplinary center for research, evaluation, information, policy studies, and research training in postsecondary education....
 indicated that 80% of USF students "considered it essential or very important that their undergraduate experience" developed their personal values. This statistic was higher than the national average sampling of 67% .

The University of San Francisco actively recruits and enrolls over 700 international students from over 70 countries, including: Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, China, Indonesia, Taiwan, India, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Canada, Mexico, Russia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, France, Norway, Austria, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Israel, Australia, and New Zealand, among others. For a complete, detailed list, visit the database. USF also hosts J-1 exchange and Intensive English Program student participants.

The University of San Francisco attracted 783 international students (9.0% of the student body) in 2007. International students have a dedicated orientation period and a variety of internationally-oriented student groups like the International Student Association, Global Living Community, an International Advisory Council, and an International Network Program. USF sponsors an annual International Education Week with an international fair featuring consulates in the San Francisco area, storytelling opportunities, educational speakers, and a performance event called Culturescape.

Admissions

As of 2006, nine admissions counselors were in charge of selecting students for entry. In an article published in a Fall 2006 issue of the , Sandoval, an admissions counselor revealed certain factors that the university used to filter its applicants. The factors mentioned were: high school GPAs, involvement in extra curricular activities, languages spoken, "first in family to go to college", letters of recommendation, test scores and in particular, the students' essays. Sandoval also mentioned in the article that the best essays were "specific, genuine, honest, and personal. "

In Fall 2008, 67% of freshman undergraduates who applied were admitted. USF enrolled 4,869 undergraduate students. The admitted freshman class had an average combined SAT score of 1270, an average composite ACT score of 25, and an average high school GPA of 3.5.

  • Of the freshmen admitted in 2007, 47% came from public high schools, 34% came from Catholic/parochial high schools, 9% came from non-parochial private high schools, and 10% were not identified with any of the above categories. 29% of the freshman class are from out-of-state and 6% are international students.


  • The average age of freshman undergraduate is 18 years old and the average age of all undergraduates is 21 years old.


  • The most popular majors and the percentage of undergrads in each major are: business/marketing 29%, communication/journalism 7%, computer/info sciences 6%, health sciences 8%, psychology 8%, social sciences 14%, visual/performing arts 6% .


  • To apply students must take either the SAT or the ACT, have a minimum of 20 units based on high school courses, write and admissions essay, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0.


  • USF has about 8,700 undergraduate and graduate students, representing nearly every state and over 80 countries.


  • Other schools with the greatest overlap of applicants are San Francisco State University, Santa Clara University, Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and UC Santa Cruz.


  • In an average class 1% graduate in three years or less, 45% graduate in four years or less, 62% graduate in five years or less, 65% graduate in 6 years or less.


  • In September 2005 USF admitted 161 students from Loyola University New Orleans
    Loyola University New Orleans

    Loyola University New Orleans is a Private university, co-educational and Jesuit university located in New Orleans, Louisiana. Originally established as Loyola College in 1904, the institution was later chartered as a university in 1912....
    , Xavier University of Louisiana
    Xavier University of Louisiana

    Xavier University of Louisiana is a private, coed, liberal arts Historically black colleges and universities Roman Catholic university located in New Orleans, Louisiana....
    , Tulane University
    Tulane University

    Tulane University is a private university, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Founded as a public medical college in 1834, the school grew into a comprehensive university and was eventually privatized under the endowments of Paul Tulane and Josephine Louise Newcomb in the late 19th century....
    , Dillard University
    Dillard University

    Dillard University is a private, Historically black colleges and universities liberal arts college in New Orleans, Louisiana. Founded in 1869, it is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church....
    , University of New Orleans
    University of New Orleans

    The University of New Orleans, often locally called UNO, is a medium sized public urban university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States....
    , and University of Southern Mississippi who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina
    Hurricane Katrina

    Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the costliest Atlantic hurricane, as well as one of the five deadliest, in the history of the United States....
    , housing "approximately 90 on campus." The students came from universities that were closed as a result of the massive city flooding after Hurricane Katrina. In an email addressed to the USF community, USF President Stephen A. Privett, S.J
    Stephen Privett

    The Reverend Stephen Privett, S.J. is a Roman Catholic priest and member of the Society of Jesus. Father Privett is the 27th and current president of the University of San Francisco....
     wrote, "Our policy is to accept as many qualified students as we can accommodate and work out the details later when we and they have more information. " Some of the Hurricane Katrina victims also received scholarships. One such recipient was Stace McRaney, whose home and workplace was destroyed by the hurricane. Stace McRaney was the first recipient of the Lone Mountain Legacy Scholarship, funded by alumnae of the San Francisco College for Women
    Lone Mountain College

    Formerly the San Francisco College for Women, Lone Mountain College was officially established in 1968. The college operated for 10 years before being acquired by the University of San Francisco in 1978....
    .


Financial aid

For the 2006-2007 academic year, 66.0% of USF's undergraduates received some form of financial aid, 52.6% received institutional aid/grants, and 21.0% received federal Pell Grant
Pell Grant

The Pell Grant program is a type of post-secondary, educational federal grant program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. It is named after U.S....
 support. For the same year, 64.2% of graduate students received some for of financial aid.

The increase of financial aid given by the university to students have generally exceed the rate of growth of USF's tuition fees. Over 10 years from 1993 to 2003, annual tuition fees grew by 65% but financial aid experienced 160% growth. Annual tuition in '93/94 was $13,200 and total financial aid was $12.9 million. By '02/03, annual tuition had increased to $21,700 but financial aid experienced a larger increase to $33.6 million. However, in a USF student guide published by in 2006 , USF students rated high tuition fees as one of "the ten worst things about USF."

Campus dining

The University of San Francisco is catered by Bon Appétit Management Company
Bon Appétit Management Company

The Bon App?tit Management Company is an onsite custom restaurant company, owned by Compass Group, that provides caf? and catering services to corporations, colleges and universities, and specialty venues....
, a catering company that serves over 400 businesses and universities spanning over 28 states, and that specializes in socially and environmentally responsible catering.

The Market Cafe (The Cafeteria) is located on the second floor of the University Center. There are different sections of the Market Cafe, each offering various types of food, such as "Classics," "The Grill," "Global," "Salsa," "Roma," and others.

Crossroads Café is a student-run dining facility, located on the first floor of the University Center building. The café originally started as a commuter students' lounge in the basement of the former Campion Hall, now Kalmanovitz Hall, in 1931. The lounge was moved to the University Center Building when it was constructed in the Fall of 1966. At the time, it was called the Green and Gold Room. Today, Crossroads is a popular spot for coffee and pastries, as well as freshly baked pizzas. It also hosts live entertainment events, such as open mike nights, games, performances, and crafts. In October of 2008, Crossroads Café hosted USFtv's season premiere party. Office hours are often held in Crossroads, where students can consult and get advice from their teachers.

Jamba Juice
Jamba Juice

Jamba Juice is a Business chain of smoothie restaurants headquartered in Emeryville, California with over 700 locations operating in 30 states, the District of Columbia and the Bahamas....
, also located on the first floor of the University Center building, serves all natural, energizing smoothie
Smoothie

A smoothie is a blended, chilled, sweet beverage made from fresh fruit. In addition to fruit, many smoothies include crushed ice, frozen fruit, honey or frozen yogurt, although some smoothies are 100% fruit....
s.

The Outtakes Cafe is located on the Lone Mountain campus of USF. It is also known as the Wolf and Kettle. With services provided by Bon Appétit, students have the opportunity and convenience to grocery shop, eat on the go, and grab a prepared meal (if desired) at the same time. Outtakes has two sections, a dining center, similar to a smaller cafeteria structure of tables, booths and chairs, and a “small retail convenience store, offering a wide variety of grocery items, fresh food and produce, and all the essentials,” (Over 4,000 items)

The Kendrick Cafe is located on the School of Law Campus. Beverages offered are Peet’s coffee, soda, and juices provided by Odwalla
Odwalla

Odwalla Inc. is an United States health food company that sells fruit juice, smoothies and food bars. It was founded in Santa Cruz, California, California in 1980 and is headquartered in Half Moon Bay, California....
. Food selections are limited to those on the go. One can snack on cereal, specialty chips, fruit, and pastries, to name a few options. Also provided are freshly made sandwiches, pizza, hot dogs, and salads.

Club Ed Cafe is located in the School of Education building along Turk Boulevard. From hot soups and oatmeal, to Grab and Go sandwiches and meals, coffee, and pastries, one can find something to fulfill his or her appetite. Club Ed also offers a toaster and microwave for your convenience.

Athletics

The university mascot is the Don
Don (honorific)

Don, from Latin Dominus , is a Spanish language , Portuguese language , and Italian language honorific. The female version is Do?a , Dona ...
 and USF's athletic teams compete in NCAA Division I with the West Coast Conference
West Coast Conference

The West Coast Conference is an National Collegiate Athletic Association list of college athletic conferences consisting of eight member schools across the states of California, Oregon, and Washington....
 (WCC). USF is one of the charter members of the WCC, along with local rivals Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University is a private, co-educational Jesuit-affiliated university located in Santa Clara, California, California. Chartered by the state of California and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, it operates in collaboration with the Society of Jesus , whose members founded the school in 1851....
 and Saint Mary's College of California
Saint Mary's College of California

Saint Mary's College of California is a private, coeducational college located in Moraga, California, United States. It is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church and administered by the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools....
. USF's athletic teams were previously known as the Gray Fog. USF's colors are green
Green

Green is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a wavelength of roughly 520?570-Nanometre....
 and gold
Gold (color)

Gold, also called golden, is an orange -yellow color which is a representation of the color of the chemical element gold. Metallic gold, such as in paint, is often called goldtone or gold-tone....
.USF offers both men's and women's basketball
Basketball

Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five active players each try to score points against one another by propelling a basketball through a 10 feet  high hoop under organized rules....
, cross country
Cross country

Cross country can refer to:Sports* Cross country running, a sport in which teams of runners compete to complete a course over open or rough terrain...
, golf
Golf

Golf is a sport in which players using many types of Golf club including wood , iron , and putter , attempt to hit golf ball into each hole on a golf course in the lowest possible number of strokes....
, soccer, tennis
Tennis

Tennis is a sport played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a strung racquet to strike a hollow rubber Tennis ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's tennis court....
, and track and field while also offering men's baseball
Baseball

Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport of nine players each. The goal of baseball is to score run by hitting a thrown Baseball with a baseball bat and touching a series of four markers called base arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot square, or diamond. Players on one team take turns hitting against...
 and women's volleyball
Volleyball

Volleyball is an Olympic Games team sport in which two teams of 6 active players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules....
. USF has won 12 NCAA Championships, 1 NIT Championship, and 42 WCC Championships
Usf Wmg
The 1951 University of San Francisco Dons football team is widely regarded by many to be one of the greatest teams in college football history. The 1951 squad went undefeated, with a record of 9-0, and the team produced ten future NFL players (Ollie Matson
Ollie Matson

Ollie Genoa Matson II is a former professional American football running back who played in the National Football League, in 1952 and from 1954 to 1966....
, Gino Marchetti, Bob St. Clair
Bob St. Clair

Robert Bruce St. Clair, nicknamed "The Geek" is a former San Francisco American football player known for fine play and eating raw beef. Because of his eccentricities, his teammates nicknamed him "The Geek"....
, Dick Stanfel
Dick Stanfel

Richard Anthony Stanfel is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions and the Washington Redskins....
,Ed Brown, Lou Stephens, Burl Toler
Burl Toler

Burl Toler, Sr. is a former American football official in the National Football League for 24 seasons from 1965 NFL season to 1989 NFL season. He served as a field judge and head linesman throughout his career and is most notable for being the first African-American official in the NFL....
, Joe Scudero
Joe Scudero

Joseph Andrew Scudero is a former American football Safety in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football at the University of San Francisco....
, Roy Barni
Roy Barni

Roy Bruno Barni was an American football defensive back in the National Football League for the Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Washington Redskins....
, Mike Mergen, Merrill Peacock, and Ralph Thomas
Ralph Thomas

Ralph Thomas was an England film director, born in Kingston upon Hull. He is perhaps best known for directing the Doctor Series of films.His brother, Gerald Thomas, was also a film director....
) five became NFL Pro-Bowlers. Gino Marchetti, Ollie Matson
Ollie Matson

Ollie Genoa Matson II is a former professional American football running back who played in the National Football League, in 1952 and from 1954 to 1966....
, and Bob St. Clair
Bob St. Clair

Robert Bruce St. Clair, nicknamed "The Geek" is a former San Francisco American football player known for fine play and eating raw beef. Because of his eccentricities, his teammates nicknamed him "The Geek"....
, later made the NFL Hall of Fame. The team also had another first; Burl Toler became the first African American official in the NFL—a record for one college team. Even the future NFL Commissioner, Pete Rozelle, played a role as the Dons' Athletic Publicist. At the height of their success, the team experienced one of the greatest snubs in college football history. Due to the team having two African-American star players, Ollie Matson and Burl Toler, they were not invited, in 1951, to play in any of the college football bowl games by the SEC (Southern Conference
Southern Conference

The Southern Conference is a list of college athletic conferences affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I. Southern Conference American football teams compete in the Division I#Football Championship Subdivision ....
). Which resulted in the team being invited to the Orange Bowl
Orange Bowl (game)

The Orange Bowl is an annual United States of America college football bowl game played in Dolphin Stadium just outside Miami, Florida, Florida....
, without Toler and Matson. Outraged, the team refused the invitation saying, “ ‘No, we’re not going to leave ‘em at home,’ said guard Dick Columbini. ‘We’re going to play with ‘em or we’re not going to play’”. As result of the team refusing to play in the Orange Bowl, the University of San Francisco Athletic Department was forced to drop its football program in 1952, due to a deficit in department funds.

USF won the 1955 & 1956 Men's Basketball NCAA National Championships, going undefeated in the 1956 season. By winning the 1956 NCAA Championship the Dons became the first undefeated team to win a national championship. The Dons won a record 60 games in a row from 1954-1956 before losing an exhibition game to the USA Men's Olympic Basketball team. NBA Hall of Famer Bill Russell
Bill Russell

William Felton Russell is a retired American professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association ....
 and K.C. Jones starred on those teams. Also of note, the 1954-1955 USF basketball team became the first major college or university basketball team to win a national title with three African American players (Bill Russell
Bill Russell

William Felton Russell is a retired American professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association ....
, K.C. Jones and Hal Perry) among its five starters.

On December 26, 2007, the university hired 798-win coach Eddie Sutton to replace Jessie Evans. Sutton got his 800th career win as a college basketball head coach when the Dons beat Pepperdine, 85-82.

On April 18, 2008, University of San Francisco announced the current mens basketball head coach Rex Walters
Rex Walters

Rex Andrew Walters is a retired United States professional basketball player and current men's basketball coach at the University of San Francisco....
, former coach of Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University

Florida Atlantic University, also referred to as FAU or Florida Atlantic, is a public university, coeducational, research university located in Boca Raton, Florida, United States....
 for four years. Coach Walters is an NBA veteran, originally the 16th overall pick by the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets

The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team in the National Basketball Association that plays in the Eastern Conference 's Atlantic Division ....
 in the 1993 NBA Draft
1993 NBA Draft

The 1993-94 NBA season NBA Draft took place on June 30, 1993 in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Michigan. The draft had some talented players at the top, but injuries and personal problems hurt many of them....
.

Rosenthal J

Notable alumni


External links