Family & Friends Weekend is a USF Tradition!
We are thrilled to announce the return of an in-person Family & Friends Weekend from November 5 – 7, 2021! Our One-USF team invites you to reconnect with your student, meet other Bull families & friends, and interact with University faculty and staff while making new memories during USF Homecoming! In addition to attending engaging programs and activities just for USF families, you’ll have the opportunity to explore popular attractions throughout Tampa Bay and Sarasota and register for exclusive add-on experiences at discounted rates—including the USF Homecoming football game!
Why Participate in Family & Friends Weekend?
Each year, we host Family & Friends Weekend midway through the fall semester. It is the time when families may want to connect with key campus departments to get the support their student needs. USF family members consistently share that Family & Friends Weekend is the perfect time to re-connect with their students and get a feel for how they are doing. We also know it's a time family members like to explore where your student calls home, meet other families, and get a feel for how other families are supporting their student.
Let us know you're planning to attend!
We'd love to know if you're planning to join us so we can create the most incrediBULL weekend for our guests. Complete this interest form to receive an early-Bull email with more details leading up to registration opening.
Registration Information
All family members and friends of USF students are invited to participate in the weekend. Registration is required to participate in the official weekend activities, including your USF student. Online registration will open September 7 at 10:00am EST. Once online registration has closed, family members may be able to register on-site if space and merchandise is available.
Cost to Attend
By registering, USF families, friends, and students are provided with the following:
- A robust schedule of events for family, friends, and students throughout the weekend.
- Family-focused educational sessions to form connections with USF faculty, staff, resources and services your student can utilize for their success at USF.
- Access to discounted tickets to the USF Homecoming Football game vs. University of Houston on November 6 (time TBA), which includes a free ticket to the Men’s Soccer Game on November 5 (time TBA) (over $80 value)
- A game-day approved tote bag for each family registration (a $12 value).
- A Family & Friends Weekend signature t-shirt (a $15 value)
- Canoe and kayak rental at USF Riverfront Park (a $10-45 value)
- Discounts to USF and local attractions
- Opportunities to explore the Tampa Bay and Sarasota areas
Adults (12 years and older) $40; USF Students $20; Youth (11 and under): Free of Charge
Please note that youth registration will not receive a family weekend swag bag, but add-on t-shirt options will be available for purchase.
Additional Events and Items for Purchase
We do have a small number of events that are add-on experiences to the base registration. Add-on experiences for purchase will be available to add during your registration. If your family has their heart set on these events, be sure to register and purchase these early to ensure your participation! These add-on experiences will be revealed when registration opens, but in the past have included: Ropes Course/Zip Lining Adventures, an exclusive Painting with a Twist event, and more!
Family of the Year
Each year we recognize an outstanding family during the weekend. USF Family of the Year Nominations are now open and are due September 17! Click here to learn more.
Discuss Your Plans with Your Student
Please know that your student will likely still have class responsibilities, exams, and study groups during the weekend. Some students also have organization commitments based on it being Homecoming Weekend. We have plenty of events taking place for families during those times! We encourage you and your student to discuss their academic schedule according to their syllabi and any organization commitments prior to booking to ensure you have a positive experience during the weekend. Unfortunately, we do not offer refunds for these conflicts.
One USF
Family & Friends Weekend is open to families, friends, and USF students who attend any of our three campus locations. There will be events hosted on all three USF campuses, as well as opportunities to explore the surrounding Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota areas. However, please note that the vast majority of events will be hosted on the USF Tampa campus throughout the weekend, with the Marshall Student Center being a central location. A map and event locations will be provided for family members who register for the weekend.
Arrival Information
We encourage guests to arrive on Thursday evening or Friday morning in order to take full advantage of the events being offered. We have several events on Friday afternoon - Saturday evening with Sunday open for families to navigate quality time with their student and safe travels home.
Travel, Accommodations, and Meals
Guests participating in the weekend are responsible for coordinating their meals, travel, and accommodations. For a local hotel guides near all three campuses, please click here.
Important Considerations for Family & Friends Weekend
We are thrilled that your family is excited about Family & Friends Weekend! The University of South Florida continues to closely monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. All of our latest return-to-campus guidance can be found here. Please note that as we plan to ensure a memorable weekend, final event details are subject to change. Registered participants will receive final schedule and details one week prior to Family & Friends Weekend.
Have Questions?
We are happy to assist you navigating your questions. Please fill out this form so a member of our team can connect with you.
