SARASOTA, Fla. — More than 200 students at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee will soon have access to the campus' first-ever residence hall.
On Monday, officials cut the ribbon on a new campus student center and "Atala Residence Hall."
"USF Sarasota-Manatee, which opened in 1975 and moved to its current location on U.S. 41 across from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in 2006, is no longer just a 'commuter school' that serves students who live elsewhere in the community," university officials said in a news release.
This now turns the university into a full-service campus, being the only member of the Association of American Universities in the region to have a student center comprised of a dining hall, book store, study lounges, game room and other amenities.
The new, 100,000-square-foot building also includes offices and meeting rooms for student government and other student organizations.
Former students and members of USF World were involved in the planning for the new building. They say they are excited to see their work and vision for the campus come to fruition.
"Student government leaders met with administrators for several years to plan and design the building and intentionally held onto massive funds in order to earmark them for the student center,” Evan Fruehauf, the student body vice president in 2018-19, said in a statement.
The name "Atala Hall" was chosen after a campus-wide survey showed support for the name.
“They symbolize transformation, resilience and the importance of harmony with the natural world,” Campus Regional Chancellor Karen Holbrook said in a statement. “Inspired by these rare butterflies who live in the USF Sarasota-Manatee courtyard, our unique students come here for a short while, to live, learn and grow. They then fly away to their next adventure and fly back as alumni to enjoy the campus year after year. Now they have a dedicated place to call home."
Students living in the new campus suites and apartments will be located on the top four floors of the building, with views of Sarasota Bay, the airport and the surrounding area.
USF Sarasota-Manatee students move into "Atala Hall" on Friday.