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‘Ambition over tradition’ elicits differing opinions Despite mixed reviews from members of the USF community, the ‘ambition over tradition’ belief is here to stay.
By Jesse Stokes E D I T O R
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With the rebranding of USF’s image — including a new academic logo — also comes a number of core beliefs and slogans that work together to tell the story of the university. Though the official slogan is “United, we Shape the Future,” one of the core beliefs is “ambition over tradition,” which according to the university’s Chief Marketing Officer Joe Hice, is about keeping an eye to the future to continue the story of the university. However, this same belief has also brought mixed reactions from some of USF’s alumni. Gene Haines is an alumnus who graduated in 1997 with a degree in criminology and a former member of the USF Alumni Association Board of Directors. Haines said he thinks the “ambition over tradition” tagline is disrespectful toward those who have helped work to make USF into what it is in the past. “I don’t understand why any university would want to discard tradition,” Haines said. “I always thought that’s what a university was built on.” Hice said he recognizes some of the concerns with the “ambition over tradition” belief, but USF is a university who still has more of a story to tell as it progresses into the future. “With alumni, I understand their concern,” Hice said. “Some of them have taken it to mean that we don’t value the traditions that we have created over the 60 some-odd years
that we have been in existence, but that could not be further from the truth. Again, it just gets back to that overall story and that ideal that we are looking to the future. We are future focused, where some other universities rely more on their past.” Hice said that “ambition over tradition” is one of four “beliefs” that the university has, not the official slogan. The other beliefs include, “the collective power,” which Hice says is in reference to all three campuses — Tampa, St. Pete and SarasotaManatee — consolidating into a The new academic logo was met with mixed reactions, as was the single accredited university, “the set of beliefs and slogans that came along with it.. SPECIAL TO THE boundless community,” which is ORACLE/UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING meant to represent the university’s efforts toward diversity and inclusion accounting and finance in 2016, “(Ambition over tradition) is not and finally, “uncharted terrain,” she said her journey to those very going to be used in advertising, as we which includes taking chances and degrees have been everything but go forward because we are working trying new things from a research “traditional,” and it was her ambition on a more long-term campaign perspective. that got her to the point in her career theme, we still have not figured that Linda Herman, an alumna from that she has achieved. out yet,” Hice said. 1988 with a degree in education, said “Sometimes one’s ambition Hice said the addition of the new that when she thinks of tradition, doesn’t necessarily take you down a beliefs and the academic logo have she thinks of positivity and family, path of tradition,” Soler said. “Even generated more digital foot traffic which is not something to be put on though my journey hasn’t been than the university is accustomed to. the back burner. traditional, and it never will be, I “Typically over a two“I’m not thrilled with this belief would not have done it any other month period, we will do in the at all,” Herman said. “The word way.” neighborhood of 200 million tradition is stated like it is a negative The belief of “ambition over impressions — that is visitors to the thing. There is nothing negative tradition” is something that can be website, people who follow us on social media and blog posts — that 200 million has gotten close to one billion impressions in the 50 days since we have launched the new Linda Herman, alumna logo,” Hice said. However, for alumnus Alex about the word tradition … Try found on billboards throughout Cobbs, who got his degree in another word, USF.” the Tampa Bay area. Hice said, religious studies in 2012, the However, for Victoria Soler, however, the term will not be used n See AMBITION on PAGE 3 an alumna who got degrees in in advertising.
“ I’m not thrilled with this belief at all. ” NEWS 3
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LED lights nearly implemented in all parking garages
By Alyssa Stewart A S S I S T A N T
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With the potential to save USF about $591,695, the last two of four parking garages on campus will be upgraded to LED lighting The final touches on the Laurel Parking Garage will be completed this week and the Collins Boulevard Parking Facility, will start construction midNovember. The Student Green Energy Fund Council (SGEF) funded the LED projects in hopes to decrease the carbon footprint of the parking garage structures. This council works to conserve energy, reduce energy costs, lower greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable energy technologies, according to the SGEF website. The council and its various projects are funded through the semesterly $1 per credit hour student fee. The Laurel Parking Garage LED installations will cost about $372,771 from SGEF and $20,000 from the collaborating department, Parking and Transportation Services (PATS). However, it has the potential to save USF $540,477 over the course of 10 years. The annual energy savings would be 600,530 KWh per year, according to the proposal details form located on the SGEF website. According to these details, the existing lights and fixtures that are not damaged will be recycled by PATS. After the completion of the project, PATS will have the sole
n See LIGHTS on PAGE 3