But what if you didn’t have the same opportunity others had?

Life would be different right? Imagine a day when you could not get up and just walk to class. Take a second to consider what it might be like to rely on others for your every move. Consider what it would be like to be ostracized based on uncontrollable factors. Many people around you deal with these issues.

Take a step outside your comfort zone with me.

Welcome to the world of Disability Services at USFSP.

Did you know that many prominent faces in American History dealt with disabilities for most of their lives? Thomas Edison was a brilliant inventor that dealt with a learning disability and was nearly deaf his entire adult life. Harriet Tubman, celebrated abolitionist and icon, was struck by a two pound weight after refusing to hold down a slave and dealt with narcolepsy the rest of her life. Take some time to research  the less known lives of people you may have already heard of.

 In January, Student Disability Services moved into the newly renovated Student Life Center (SLC) on the corner of 6th Avenue South and 2nd Street. I work in this department and I have learned from many of the people who come through our doors. These people inspire me time after time. As do friends who have siblings with different needs.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.(check out this quick video of Dr. King making a joke) spoke often about equal opportunities and in the wonderful country we live in there are many opportunities. He once said,

“You may be 38 years old, as I happen to be. And one day, some great opportunity stands before you and calls you to stand up for some great principle, some great issue, some great cause. And you refuse to do it because you are afraid…You refuse to do it because you want to live longer…You’re afraid that you will lose your job, or you are afraid that you will be criticized or that you will lose your popularity, or you’re afraid that somebody will stab you, or shoot at you or bomb your house; so you refuse to take the stand.”

He finished by saying that you could live to be 90 and that you could have been considered dead at 38 because you refused to take a stand. He died for taking a stand just a year after making that statement.

You and I can also make statements and a stand here at USFSP

• Lend an hour of your week with Project 10 Stingray (learn more about what they do here).
• Stop by for a tour of Student Disability Services.
• Advocate for those who may not have a voice as strong as yours.

Take a stand.

As we journey into the 12 days of Christmas, prepare for inevitable failure in upholding our New Year’s resolutions and watch endless amounts of television I encourage you to take a look into the gem of St. Petersburg. Don’t you mind ancient misinterpretations of a terrible December 21, 2012, the government has your back! Check out their response to the drama here. Instead of thinking about that consider what USFSP can mean for you during the break.

Take a seat.  There’s much to learn! 

No matter where you stand, sit or exist the truth about the University of South Florida St. Petersburg has not been fully revealed to you. Until now.  Gems are meant to be discovered. Discovery leads to appreciation and appreciation comes with joy and a desire to share that joy with others. Where would crazy YouTube videos (example) be without people sharing them?

USFSP nears its 50th anniversary and things have changed. Even in the short time I have been here, since fall of 2009 a significant physical change has occurred. Parking lots became buildings, Dali’s mustache moved down the street and a basketball court turned into dirt and back into a basketball court!

Don’t run away just yet! You’ll miss out.

Tis’ the season to be jolly(I had to sneak it in)! If close–knit friendships, long lasting memories, quality education and prime waterfront location don’t excite you I’m a little concerned! In small settings people grow. The more you are stretched out the harder it is to come back. Think about this: Stretch a rubber band a little and nothing happens. Stretch that same band too much and it breaks. Keep a solid tension and it gets stronger.  Our college careers tend to be very similar. USFSP has done a wonderful job this year letting students know they care.  Interim Regional Chancellor Bill Hogarth(check out his blog! ) has really took the students words and made them into something tangible. USFSP resembles a winter wonderland on an island. Traditions are being started by the “little guys”. Giants don’t rule this university. The longboarders, gangnam style dancers , flashmobbers, club members, student workers, basketball players, educators-to-be, entrepreneurs in training and freshmen, yes…freshman, sway this university. The “little kayak that could” is a formidable ally to have and I’m proud to call USFSP home.

But before you hear the news I think it’s important you understand why I think the administration even considered a change.

It may sound like 14 and a half hours is a long time for something to be open but we all know that college doesn’t operate on those terms. The USC opened with very conservative hours. The opening time was great. However, closing at 9pm just didn’t cut it. I’m a commuter and although I only live five driving minutes away I can only imagine people who live 15 minutes away or more from campus.

There was a sense that everything was changing but nothing really was changing.  Imagine getting out of your night class and not being able to eat on your own campus because it’s closed? In the past few weeks, this has happened to many people. Here’s an example: My friends and I always end up going to Applebee’s nearby although we all agree that it’s not our favorite restaurant. They are open past midnight every day. Chili’s on the other hand closes at 10 and 11pm so we never get a chance to go there even though it costs more money and we like it more. The Reef’s situation is similar. People who aren’t on meal plans don’t end up eating there often because even if they wanted to they couldn’t; it was closed.

BUT FEAR NOT!

In steps a new challenger! Late Night Bites!

‘Late Night Bites’ can be likened to Taco Bell’s “Fourth Meal”. That is, the meal after dinner. Monday September 17 starts the new hours for the USC. It will be open until 11pm seven days a week. Late Night Bites is not the same as dinner, it is a  slightly smaller menu and starts at 8:30 pm. This comes as a relief to student organizations, commuters, residents and more. The issue with the previous time was not exclusive to whether or not someone wanted to eat. It also dealt with events held in the center. The new time gives students a chance to have some fun while preserving the sanity of administration. The extended hours are on a tentative trial basis roughly slated for 30 days according to Matt Morrin, director of student life. I really appreciate the administration for listening to the concerns of the students on this issue and moving swiftly.

This is Anthony,

Signing off…