Beyond the brochure: The reality of the USF experience

We all remember at one point or another pursuing the brochure for the University of St. Francis (USF), gazing at each picture and imagining ourselves there in the moment. However, as we all know, such picturesque fantasy is not complete fiction as each hallway, classroom, and dining location tells a unique story. These brochures are one dimensional; they don’t truly capture the actual rhythm of a Tuesday morning on campus.

To fully understand and appreciate the USF experience, you must look past the laminated pages and into the experiential moments that define our days here. It’s the sound of greetings and bustle in the corridors, the fresh smell of breakfast emanating from Terrace and the Bistro and the specific energy of a classroom where the professor not only knows your name but also your career goals.

This daily bustle may feel spontaneous, but the warmth of the USF community is deeply rooted in the centuries-old mission of respect, integrity, service, and compassion, as stated on the official USF website. Additionally, there is an emphasis on “reverence for creation, compassion, and peacekeeping.”

Applying that to everything from the curriculum to the types of events on campus, there is an aim to pass knowledge and better the lives of those who walk these halls. However these lofty goals manifest themselves in small ways, like a professor congratulating an athlete on a job well done or a pair of classmates getting lunch together.

While this blueprint of values is applied, a recent USF Encounter survey confirms that students are not just noticing these values but living them too. This survey was conducted via email, in which name, amount of time at USF, favorite aspect of USF and any additional commentary were collected.

Of this information, the most chosen answer for the favorite aspect was “friends.” Effectively this counteracts the push and pull of the digital age, as these survey results indicate that students here appreciate a physical community above all else. This was similarly exemplified through the additional commentary option, in which students elaborated further.

One student referenced their time within the Duns Scotus Honors Society, and how they were able to find a community of learners that warmly welcomed them; bringing them into the close-knit campus culture that we all know and love.This sincerity transitions over into the classroom as well. Another survey response indicated that the faculty and staff are also very warm and kind. With the smaller class sizes, they are often able to get to know students on a personal level, providing an additional layer of academia tailored to each student for their success. Therefore, creating a unique standard that encompasses all aspects of the collegiate experience, subsequently pursuing the betterment of each student’s life.

Yet, this survey also suggested that this sense of belonging and acceptance isn’t an overnight phenomenon but rather a garden that requires time and consistency to bloom. A notable commonality amongst a majority of survey respondents was that they were upper-year students, with three or more years present at USF.

This highlights a vital truth regarding the collegiate experience: community is not delivered upon arrival, but is built over time. For many, whether it be finding the right classroom or adjusting to the change, the first year at USF is defined by discovery. Each day, students are exposed to the nature of campus and become integrated into the community through the Franciscan values.

By the third year, the bustle in the corridors transforms from background noise to a symphony of familiar voices; suggesting that the depth of connection felt by students is directly proportional to the time they’ve invested in the halls of the Motherhouse or the tables of Terrace. Furthermore, demonstrating that USF provides the fertile soil, but students must take the time to allow the seed to be planted.

The picturesque fantasy of brochure prints only becomes a reality through engagement. Whether it's staying an extra couple of minutes after class to socialize with peers or joining a student organization, this survey demonstrates that the truest USF experience is one that is developed deeply and provides a level of interconnectedness that most campuses do not offer.

While the USF mission outlines a substantial framework for the success of students and community members, these values ultimately act as the bones, while those living it provide the heart. This independent survey proves this by providing direct evidence that the grassroot mission mentioned on the website and in promotional media is truly working.

As USF continues to evolve, these trends and patterns depict a roadmap for both the administration and the student body. In turn, they also act as a reminder to protect the small-scale intimacy that makes these deeper connections possible. While we may have all been drawn to USF for a multitude of reasons, we stay because of the people who walk alongside us. Demonstrating that the truest highlight is not found in architecture or accolades, but through the enduring spirit of a community that only grows stronger the more we invest in one another.