Student Life

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Division of Student Affairs

The University of Florida Division of Student Affairs creates a signature student experience, developing bold and highly effective graduates. We take pride in guiding the university’s efforts for students centered on: Health and Wellness, Leadership, Success Services, and Career Readiness.

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, located in 135 Tigert Hall, has administrative responsibility for the Career Resource Center, Counseling and Wellness Center, Dean of Students Office, First Generation Student Success, GatorWell Health Promotion Services, Housing and Residence Education, J. Wayne Reitz Union, Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars Program, Multicultural and Diversity Affairs, Recreational Sports, Student Activities and Involvement, and Student Legal Services.
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Campus Facilities

On 2,000 acres, most of it within the limits of a 125,000-population urban area, the university operates out of close to 1,000 buildings, almost 200 of them equipped with classrooms and laboratories. Facilities are valued at more than $1.5 billion. Notable among these are the Brain Institute, the physics building, University Art Gallery, a microkelvin laboratory capable of producing some of the coldest temperatures in the universe, a 100-kilowatt training and research nuclear reactor, the second largest academic computing center in the South, and a self-contained intensive-care hyperbaric chamber for treating near-drowning victims.

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, or The Swamp, is widely recognized as one of the toughest environments for a visiting team in all of college football. Several facelifts after the stadium's original construction in 1930 have made Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium a state-of-the-art facility. The Swamp is the largest stadium in the state of Florida.
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Florida Museum of Natural History

The Florida Museum of Natural History is the largest natural history/anthropology museum in the Southeast and one of the top 10 in the nation. Its research collections contain nearly 6.5 million specimens.
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Harn Museum of Art

The Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, with 18,000 square feet of exhibit space, is one of the largest museums in the Southeast. The Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts attracts world-class symphony orchestras, Broadway plays, operas, and large-scale ballet productions to Gainesville.
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Newell Hall

Originally built in 1909, Newell Hall is the 3rd oldest building on campus. The facility was completely repurposed to create an active learning environment for both undergraduate and graduate students. It provides a high-tech, collaborative environment with open plan study rooms to foster a creative environment focused on innovation, flexibility, and accessibility.
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O’Connell Center

The Stephen C. O'Connell Center covers three acres and is used by the university for classes, intercollegiate sports, general recreation, and a variety of other entertainment events. An Olympic-sized swimming pool, dance studio, gymnastics studio, martial arts room, free style weight room, Nautilus center, track, badminton, volleyball courts, and practice basketball court are located in and around the perimeter of the 12,000 seat main arena. The versatility of this facility permits as many as eight recreational activities to be conducted simultaneously. All recreational, educational and entertainment facilities within the O'Connell Center have been designed to accommodate persons with disabilities.
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Reitz Student Union

The newly expanded J. Wayne Reitz Student Union provides space for a myriad of student and faculty activities. More than 20,000 people use the Reitz Union daily for various activities, including shopping, dining, student organizations and hotel services.
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Campus Safety and Security

Contact: Email | 352.273.3309

The University of Florida is one of the largest institutions of higher education in the nation. The university community is not unlike many other municipalities, and as such, has the same safety and security concerns as Anytown, USA.

The University of Florida Police Department (UFPD) recognizes that it must maintain the safest and most secure environment possible for all students, faculty and staff, and campus visitors. The UFPD has the utmost concern for personal and property safety, but with an open campus environment, safety becomes a shared responsibility.

The UFPD is a state of Florida and nationally accredited law enforcement agency. There are more than 90 fully certified and sworn officers who patrol the UF campus and its surrounding properties 24 hours per day, every day. The department has its own Criminal Investigations Division employing highly trained detectives to investigate any reported crime on campus. The officers of the Uniformed Patrol Division are highly trained campus law enforcement professionals who are equipped with the most contemporary crime-fighting techniques and tools. The Community Services Division is proactive in providing everyone in the campus community with the very latest information regarding personal and property protection through classes, programs and documents.
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Career Connections Center

The Career Connections Center (Career Center) provides events and services to help students develop and implement their Career Action Plan to realize their next steps. Students can work with Career Center staff to select a major, clarify their interests and abilities, develop professionally, build experience, and prepare for future internship, graduate school, or employment searches.

Students should activate their Gator CareerLink account to learn about the range of in-person and online career planning services available to them and see which employers are actively recruiting University of Florida candidates.

The Career Connections Center hosts hundreds of employers annually as they attend a variety of career events, hold on-campus interviews, and present information sessions and informal interactions with students.
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Visit the Career Connections Center to:

Counseling and Wellness Center

As the primary provider of mental health services on campus, the Counseling and Wellness Center offers high quality counseling and psychiatric case as well as developmental and preventative services to UF students.

The Counseling and Wellness Center at 3190 Radio Road provides counseling, consultation and crisis intervention services to currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students and their spouses/partners. These services include individual, couples and group counseling; outreach programs and consultations; classes/guest lectures and research; and an extensive professional training program for mental health professionals. All of the Center’s programs and services are designed to help students develop the personal awareness and skills necessary to take advantage of the educational opportunities at the university.
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Dean of Students

The Dean of Students Office in 202 Peabody Hall provides programs and services to support students' academic success and personal development.
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U Matter, We Care

At UF, every Gator counts. U Matter, We Care serves as UF's umbrella program for UF's caring culture and provides students in distress with support and coordination of the wide variety of appropriate resources. Families, faculty and students can contact U Matter, We Care seven days a week for assistance for students in distress.
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Emergency Response

Coordinates the university’s response to student emergencies and crises. Assistance for students in distress is available 7 days a week.

New Student and Family Programs

Organizes first-year experience and new student programs including new student orientation.

Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution

Administers the university's student conduct code and academic honesty guidelines.

Medical Withdrawals

Conducts the petitions process for students who withdraw from the university for medical reasons.

Collegiate Veterans Success Center

As a Veteran Friendly Campus, it is important to provide a place for student veterans where veterans can meet, study, and spend time in a safe and relaxing environment. Ranked among the top centers for veterans in the country, the veteran's success center looks to provide ongoing support for those who have served in our armed forces.

Disability Resource Center

Contact: Email | 352.392.8565

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) in the Dean of Students Office utilizes knowledge and expertise in the fields of disability and higher education to create an inclusive environment by: 

  • Acting as a resource for students with physical, learning, sensory, or psychological disabilities;
  • Facilitating and providing support for reasonable accommodations for students in order to afford equal access to academic courses, programs, and activities;
  • Providing services to address the impact of disabilities on student performance and success in and out of the classroom;
  • Empowering students to articulate their strengths and advocate for their accommodations; and
  • Creating opportunities to educate the campus community on disability laws, trends, universal design, programs, and services.

The DRC serves more than 2,300 registered students through classroom accommodations, support groups, a testing center that proctors 10,000 tests annually, and one-to-one skills coaching.  DRC staff are available to provide individual strategy sessions and consultation with students, faculty, and families. Email accessuf@dso.ufl.edu or call to schedule an appointment.
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Gator Dining Services

Gator Dining is the official food service provider for the university. There are more than 45 dining locations on campus, including many national franchises like Subway, Chick-fil-A, and Starbucks. There are also nutritious and vegetarian options as well as special treats like yogurt smoothies, gourmet coffees, and chocolate chip cookies.

Gator Dining Services offers two types of meal plans: the all campus meal plan and the regular declining balance account.
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GatorLink, Gator 1 Card, and UFID

GatorLink

GatorLink establishes a unique computer identity for every student. The GatorLink account provides access to all online services and creates the UF "username@ufl.edu" email address.
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All students must maintain and regularly check their GatorLink email as this is where all official university communications are sent.

Gator 1 Card

The Gator 1 card is the official university photo ID. The ID Card Services office is located on the ground floor of the UF Bookstore and Welcome Center complex on Museum Road.
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All enrolled students, faculty and staff must have this card to:

  • Enter CIRCA computer labs, university libraries, the infirmary, recreation centers.
  • Sign up for intramural sports activities.
  • Participate in the textbook deferment program at the UF Bookstore.
  • Purchase tickets to university events.
  • Vote in student government elections.
  • Purchase food on campus with a Gator Dining or prepaid vending account.
  • Use laundry facilities in some residence halls.
  • Use as an ATM/debit card when activated through Wells Fargo Bank.
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UFID

UFID is an eight-digit number that serves as the primary identifier for all university records and transactions. Similar to a social security number, no two people will have the same number, and each person has only one. The UFID is assigned by the university, not chosen like a PIN. All students, faculty and staff have UFIDs, and the number is printed on the Gator 1 card.
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Housing and Residence Education

Welcome to #WhereGatorsLive at the University of Florida. On-campus living means students are in on all the action and seconds away from everything as they get involved, build the path to their successful future, and make connections that will last a lifetime.  UF Housing offers 26 different residence halls for undergraduate students and 6 different villages for graduate students and their families. Explore the options.
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Beginning Freshmen

Freshmen entering the university will be offered a housing agreement based on the term they were admitted. Residence hall contracts are available for the academic year (summer B/fall/spring, fall/spring, spring/summer, and the summer terms).

Applying for campus housing does not guarantee an offer of residence hall space. If space is available, admitted students will receive an email link to the online residence hall contract process. To secure campus housing, the student must complete a contract, sign it and submit the advance rent payment by the deadline.

Student Financial Affairs

The Office for Student Financial Affairs (SFA) in 107 Criser Hall administers financial aid programs and provides financial assistance and counseling. SFA awards aid according to financial need (the difference between current educational costs and what the individual student can pay toward these costs).
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Financial Aid

Financial aid is money provided to students and their families as gift aid (scholarships, grants) or self-help programs (loans and/or work) to help pay college costs. Financial aid can be awarded singly (one type of aid) or as a package.
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Grants

Grants are awarded for financial need. The largest grant program at UF is the Federal Pell Grant. Other grants include Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Federal Academic Competitiveness Grants, National SMART Grants, the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant, Florida Student Assistance Grants, Turner Grants and UF Graduate Grants.
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Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded based on academic performance and financial need. Most academic scholarships are awarded through the UF Office of Admissions and individual UF colleges. SFA administers a limited number of scholarships from private donors.
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Student Employment

Federal Work-Study jobs may be awarded by SFA to students with demonstrated financial need as part of an aid package. Other job programs, such as OPS employment, do not require financial need and are open to any student with the desire to work who meets the basic criteria of half-time enrollment and a 2.0 GPA. Student jobs usually are 15-20 hours a week and pay at least minimum wage.
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Loans

Loan programs for undergraduates include: Federal Direct Stafford loans, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford loans, Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loans, Federal Perkins Loans and UF institutional loans. These programs offer long-term, low-interest loans that must be repaid when the borrower graduates, withdraws or drops to less than half-time enrollment. Parents of dependent undergraduate students can take out educational loans through the Federal Direct PLUS loan program. Graduate students can take out educational loans through the Federal Grad PLUS loan program.
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When to Apply

Applications are available January 1 each year. Although SFA cannot award financial aid until students have been admitted to UF, they should apply for aid as soon as possible after January 1. Students are considered for aid according to the date their aid file is complete. Federal Pell Grants, Federal Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG), Federal SMART Grants, Federal Direct Stafford Loans and OPS employment are open throughout.

March 15 is UF's on-time deadline for financial aid application. SFA must receive students' application information from the federal need analysis processor by March 15 in order to be considered for Federal Work Study, Federal Perkins loans, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Turner Grants and institutional (UF) loans. Financial aid at UF is awarded first-come, first-served. Students missing the deadline will only be considered for aid remaining after on-time students have received their awards.

Financial Aid Academic Progress Requirements

UF students receiving financial aid are required to be in good standing and to maintain satisfactory academic progress.
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Recreational Sports

With an active student body and an abundance of Florida sunshine, recreations is a big part of life on campus. The university offers more than 60 intramural and club sports, personal training, a midnight fun run, a lake and one of the best fitness facilities in the country. So no matter a student's interest or skill level, there's always a great way to get involved with other Gators.

RecSports offers experiences that enrich the lives of University of Florida students through excellence in facilities, fitness, sport, adventure and play. RecSports is committed to fostering leaders, encouraging lifelong healthy lifestyles and maintaining welcoming and safe environments, including student activities and programs, campus recreation facilities, aquatics, Lake Wauburg and more.
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Student Health Care Center

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General Information and Helpful Links

Appointments, Hours and Locations, Excuse Notes, Fees for Services, etc.

The Student Health Care Center (SHCC), established in 1906, is an accredited outpatient clinic staffed by licensed, board-certified medical providers who pride themselves on keeping UF’s students, faculty and staff healthy through a variety of primary and specialty care services, including general medical care, immunizations, dermatology, massage therapy, nutrition, occupational medicine, physical therapy, sports medicine, travel, women’s health and workers compensation. The SHCC also conducts the annual campus flu shot campaign.
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All registered UF students paying the tuition-included health fee may access SHCC services. If a student takes time off (for example, no summer classes), they must pay the per-semester optional health fee to receive care, which covers the costs associated with most SHCC office visits, but is not considered health insurance. Items not covered by the health fee that patients are financially responsible for include, but are not limited to health insurance, hospital visits, external community providers/facilities, physicals, procedures, X-rays, lab tests, medical equipment, prescriptions, non-prescription medications, vaccinations, massage and physical therapy.

In addition to university-sponsored insurance plans, the SHCC can direct-bill many private insurance companies for covered medical charges. Visit the SHCC’s Health Insurance Options for more information on private insurance usage and verification, as well as current university-sponsored insurance details.
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UF Bookstore and Welcome Center

The University of Florida Bookstores are located in the UF Welcome Center on Museum Road just next to the student union, in the Health Science Center and in the College of Veterinary Medicine. UF Bookstores offer new and used textbooks, school supplies, gifts and clothing. Bookstore programs include textbook reservations and a 50% guaranteed book buyback.
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UF Welcome Center is within the main UF Bookstore next to the Reitz Union. The Welcome Center is maintained by the Office of Admissions and is the university's front door to visitors, providing weekday and Saturday information sessions and walking tours of campus.
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