Student Life < University of Florida

Student Services

Division of Student Life

The University of Florida Division of Student Life cultivates a comprehensively excellent student experience that prepares Gators to engage, transform, and thrive in an evolving global community.

The Office of the Vice President for Student Life, located in 135 Tigert Hall, has administrative responsibility for:

Career Resource Center
Center for Inclusion & Multicultural Engagement
Center for New Student & Family Programs
Counseling and Wellness Center
David and Wanda Brown Center for Leadership & Service
Dean of Students Office
Disability Resource Center
GatorWell Health Promotion Services
Housing and Residence Life
J. Wayne Reitz Union
Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars Program
Off Campus Life
Recreational Sports
Student Activities & Involvement
Student Government Advising & Operations
Sorority & Fraternity Life
Student Legal Services

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Campus Facilities

Newell Hall

Originally built in 1909, Newell Hall is the 3rd oldest building on campus. The facility was renovated to create a state-of-the-art 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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Reitz Student Union

The Reitz Union is the University of Florida’s student union. The Reitz Union offers programs and services that create a unique Gator student experience. The facility is home to the Arts & Crafts Center, Game Room, hotel, art gallery, Office of Event Services. It is also home to the Brown Center for Leadership & Service, the Career Connections Center, the Center for Inclusion & Multicultural Engagement, GatorWell Health Promotion Services, Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars, Student Activities and Involvement, Sorority & Fraternity Life, Student Government, Student Legal Services, UF Bookstore, Reitz Union Barbershop, Wells Fargo, SG Bike Repair, study spaces, meeting rooms, dance studios, lounge spaces and more.  
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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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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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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 (C3) is the University of Florida’s comprehensive career services operation responsible for providing world class career and professional development for all students. As the # 2 Career Center in the country according to Best Colleges, the C3 prepares students for contributions in work, citizenship, and life. The center supports the overall student experience starting during student orientation and moving beyond graduation.

The C3’s mission is to educate and create connections for the University of Florida community to facilitate the holistic career development of students. The center provides a variety of services, tools, networks, and events for UF students and alumni. Whether exploring career options, developing professional skills, finding meaningful experience, or preparing for life after graduation, the C3 is there to help students on their unique journey. Through the university’s Career Pathways initiative, students can access customized information, connections, and programs to personalize their professional development experience and community.

The Career Connections Center is a UF tradition. We recommend that UF students engage early and often with the Career Connections Center to enhance their University of Florida experience and post-graduation success.
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Visit the Career Connections Center to:

Assess skills and interests to help select a major
Explore various career options
Secure internships and other work experience before graduating
Conduct mock interviews
Prepare for graduate school
Start a full-time job search
Create a Gator CareerLink to find internships and full-time positions
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Counseling and Wellness Center

As the primary provider of mental health services on campus, the Counseling and Wellness Center (CWC) offers high quality counseling care, including brief consultation assessments, commonly referred as triage, and on-call counseling services by CWC’s Consultation and Referral Team (CART). The CWC’s CART team is located on the 4^th floor of Peabody Hall, right in the heart of campus.

At CWC’s second location at 3190 Radio Road, the clinical team provides group counseling, limited individual counseling, workshops, training, case management, and outreach and consultation services. CWC’s Outreach and Consultation program offers a wide range of developmental, supportive, and preventative services to UF students that include the Gator-2-Gator the AWARE Ambassadors and the peer support Gator-2-Gator programs.

CWC services are available to all currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students and their spouses/partners who have paid the health fee. All 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 the armed forces.

Disability Resource Center

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;
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 or call to schedule an appointment.

Contact: Email | 352.392.8565
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Florida Fresh Dining

Florida Fresh Dining at the University of Florida is the official food service provider for the university and offers several meal plans.
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GatorLink | Gator One Card | 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 One 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. Like 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 Aid and Scholarships

The Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships (SFA) in S107 Criser Hall administers financial aid programs. SFA awards aid according to financial need.
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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 based on financial need. The largest grant program at UF is the Federal Pell Grant. Other grants include Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant, Florida Student Assistance Grants, UF Excellence Grant, UF Undergraduate Grant and UF Graduate Grants.
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Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded based on academic performance and /or financial need. Most scholarships are awarded through the SFA 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 include Federal Direct loans, Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans, Federal Direct PLUS 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.
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When to Apply

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) is available October 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 on or after October 1.

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, recreation 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, and more.

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

Bookstore

The University of Florida Bookstores are 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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Welcome Center

The 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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