|
|
|
|
University of San Francisco
|
| |
|
| |
The University of San Francisco (USF) is a private, Jesuit university in San Francisco, California. 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 and Golden Gate Park and is equidistant from the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay. USF's nickname is "The Hilltop," appropriately named since the campus is located at the peak of one of San Francisco's major hills.
Discussion
Ask a question about 'University of San Francisco' Start a new discussion about 'University of San Francisco' Answer questions from other users |
Encyclopedia
The University of San Francisco (USF) is a private, Jesuit university in San Francisco, California. 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 and Golden Gate Park and is equidistant from the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay. USF's nickname 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, 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 Academy by the Italian Jesuits Rev. Anthony Maraschi, Rev. Joseph Bixio, and Rev. Michael Accolti in 1855, USF began life in a wood frame building along Market Street in what later became downtown San Francisco. A charter from the state of California in 1859 changed the school's name to Saint Ignatius College and granted it the power to confer degrees. The original curriculum included Greek, Spanish, Latin, English, French, Italian, algebra, arithmetic, history, geography, elocution, and bookkeeping. 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.
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 volunteer-producing colleges.
The University of San Francisco is the tenth-oldest university of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.
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, displayed an electric arc 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 and the second oldest in the United States. The third Saint Ignatius College was destroyed in the earthquake and fire of 1906 and the campus moved further westward to the corner of Hayes and Shrader Streets, close to Golden Gate Park. The college moved to its present site on the south slope of Lone Mountain, in 1927.
To celebrate its diamond jubilee 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.
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. These campuses are Sacramento, San Ramon, Santa Rosa, and South Bay (Cupertino). USF is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and the School of Business and Management (SOBAM) is accredited by the AACSB.
The Jesuit university's academic freedom 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 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 protested the university's selection of Mayor Gavin Newsom 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
USF's main campus occupies three blocks north of the Golden Gate Park Panhandle, 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, 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. 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 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. 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, 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, 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 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 Jesuit martyr Saint Edmund Campion, 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.
- 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, 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, 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, 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(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 team.
- War Memorial Gymnasium(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
*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 (SI) - Often mistaken as San Francisco's Roman Catholic cathedral, 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 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 is now one of more than 500 universities in the country that have anti-smoking policies. USF 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, the University Provost and Vice-presidents, and the Deans. 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 (1954)
- School of Education (1972)
- USF College of Professional Studies (1981)
Academics
In 2008-09, U.S. News & World Report'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 in Dublin, Ireland and Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. 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 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 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 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 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 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 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, Best Buddies, School of the Americas Watch, Invisible Children, and Knitting for Neighbors
USF has student unions 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 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 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 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 service fraternity and the Delta Sigma Pi 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, 2.2% are Jewish, 2.1% are Buddhist, and 0.8% are Hindu and Muslim 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) was mostly a reflection of the diversity inherent in San Francisco. For example, when German and French 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. Filipinos started attending the university in the 1920s, after the United State's annexation of Philippines. In 1960s, Mexicans, African Americans, Chinese , Norwegians came to USF. The 1970s marked the start of students from Hong Kong, Japan and Indonesia, 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/Latinos. 5% African Americans, 0.34% Native Americans 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, 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 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, Xavier University of Louisiana, Tulane University, Dillard University, University of New Orleans, and University of Southern Mississippi who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina, 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 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.
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 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, 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, also located on the first floor of the University Center building, serves all natural, energizing smoothies.
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. 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 and USF's athletic teams compete in NCAA Division I with the West Coast Conference (WCC). USF is one of the charter members of the WCC, along with local rivals Santa Clara University and Saint Mary's College of California. USF's athletic teams were previously known as the Gray Fog. USF's colors are green and gold.USF offers both men's and women's basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, and track and field while also offering men's baseball and women's volleyball. USF has won 12 NCAA Championships, 1 NIT Championship, and 42 WCC Championships
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, Gino Marchetti, Bob St. Clair, Dick Stanfel,Ed Brown, Lou Stephens, Burl Toler, Joe Scudero, Roy Barni, Mike Mergen, Merrill Peacock, and Ralph Thomas) five became NFL Pro-Bowlers. Gino Marchetti, Ollie Matson, and Bob St. Clair, 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). Which resulted in the team being invited to the Orange Bowl, 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 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, 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, former coach of Florida Atlantic University for four years. Coach Walters is an NBA veteran, originally the 16th overall pick by the New Jersey Nets in the 1993 NBA Draft.
Notable alumni
External links
|
| |
|
|
