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Normal business hours of the Program are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Check course schedule for individual class/clinic times and locations.
Class Cancellation and Emergency Closings
It is rarely necessary to cancel class; however, if warranted by unexpected events, an event of severe weather or manmade emergency, the department follows USF guidelines as announcement of class cancellation would be made through the Program Director’s office. More information about these policies is available at the following website. In the event that it becomes necessary for USF to suspend normal operations, USF may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include but are not limited to: Canvas, Elluminate, Skype, email messaging and/or an alternate schedule. It is the responsibility of the student to monitor the Canvas site for each class for course specific communication, and the main USF, College, and program websites, emails and MoBull messages for important general information.
Building Security
The safety of students and employees is a primary concern of USF Health.
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Sexual assault is a criminal violation subject to prosecution by the State Attorney's Office. All sexual assault allegations reported to the USF police are referred to the State Attorney's Office, which then makes decides whether or not to prosecute.
Educational Resources
The USF Shimberg Health Sciences Library, as well as the USF Main Campus library is open to faculty, students and staff.
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Veteran's Administration Hospital Medical Library
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Photocopy Machines
Students have access to copy machines located in Nickels Student Computer Lounge and the USF Shimberg Health Sciences Library. Students must provide their own paper when using Nickels Lounge. There is a ten-cent per page charge when using the library. If you have a great deal of material to copy, you may want to use Pro-Copy located at 5219 E. Fowler Avenue, which generally discounts PA student copying with a USF ID Card.
Bookstore
The USF Health Bookstore (813-974-4984), operated by Barnes and Noble, is located adjacent to the south courtyard. The store carries all required and recommended books for the PA Program. In addition, numerous reference books, medical instruments, dissecting supplies and lab coats are available.
USF Main Campus bookstore
USF Health Building Codes
CMS – Children’s Medical Services (USF Health Administration), 13101 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
MDF – Faculty Office Building, 13220 USF Laurel Drive
HMT – Harbourside Medical Tower, 5 Tampa General Circle
MDA – Medical Center Ambulatory Clinic, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
MDC – Medical Center
MDH – Morsani Center for Advanced Health Care, 13330 USF Laurel Drive
MDL – Medical Center Laboratories
MDT – School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, 3515 E. Fletcher Avenue
MCC – Moffitt Cancer Center, USF Magnolia Drive
STC – USF Health South Tampa Center for Advanced Healthcare, 2 Tampa General Circle
TGH – Tampa General Hospital, 1 Tampa General Circle
UPC – USF Health University Psychiatry Center, 3515 E. Fletcher Avenue
Classroom Area
Definition of a classroom area: lecture halls and laboratory.
Study Rooms and Student Lounges
Study space is available for students in the USF Shimberg Health Sciences Library, in the WELL, in assigned small group spaces, and in the student lounges. Students have access to the Group Learning space on a 24-hour basis, but must vacate on demand for any scheduled class activities. Space in the Shimberg Library and the WELL are available during normal library hours.
Student lounges are located in the Fitness Center (MDC 1030), Nickels Student Computer Lounge (MDC 1050A, located adjacent to the bookstore), USF Shimberg Health Sciences Library, and the student kitchen (MDL 1001 – in the south courtyard on the opposite side from the USF Health Bookstore). MDC 1030, 1050A, and MDL 1001 are open 24/7, and are accessible with a USF ID card. Food should not be left in the Student Lounge. Students are expected to keep the lounge and appliances clean.
Food Service
Snack bar services are available in the USF Health Bookstore. The hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
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Soda and snack bar and vending machines are available in/near the Bookstore and WELL.
Fitness Center
The Fitness Center and adjoining lounge (MDC 1028 and 1029) are for the exclusive use of all students, faculty and staff in the MCOM. No guests are permitted to use these rooms.
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All other rules are posted within the Fitness Center.
Building and Room problems
Please report any problems (e.g. broken desks, malfunctioning equipment, etc.) to the PA Program, MDC 0900 (813-974-8926).
Visitors
Guests are not normally permitted in the classroom or labs except with the advance approval of the Academic or Clinical Directors. Guests are not permitted in the Fitness Center (MDC 1030).
Parking on Campus
Parking information will be provided for and during the Admissions and matriculation process. Parking permits are required for all vehicles at USF 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. After 5:30 p.m. (or posted time), staff, commuter students, and resident students may park in any lot. Individuals may purchase only one vehicle permit; they are available for purchase during the first week of classes and must be renewed annually. Parking lots are crowded, so allow sufficient time to ensure that you arrive at your classes prior to the scheduled start time.
Permits must be displayed at all times when on campus, including during periods of clinical practice when students are seldom actually on the campus. To avoid citations if you forget your hangtag, stop by the Campus Information Center drive through (Fowler entrance to campus) or Parking and Transportation Services (PSB 101) to pick up a free courtesy permit for the day. There are pay to park locations throughout the university. To purchase a parking permit or view other parking regulations, visit usfweb2.usf.edu/parking_services/.
Computer Use and Requirements
The computing facilities in the various colleges are a vital component of the academic environment. Each person using these computers must be considerate of other users. The purpose of these facilities is the support of teaching and research by its authorized users.
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University policies are explicit (Student Code of Conduct) and any violation of these policies, including sending hate mail, is totally unacceptable and will be dealt with accordingly.
PACKRAT Exam
Physician Assistant Clinical Knowledge Rating and Assessment Tool (PACKRAT) will be taken during each year of the two year program. Students may be required to pay for the cost of the test at some future date without formal announcement. However, at the present time, the School covers the expense of the examination. The School of has received authorization to make an individual copy of each student's performance on the PACKRAT examination as a measure their clinical knowledge base during his/her training. This information may be used to make decisions affecting promotion, clinical rotations, graduation or remediation. The School will maintain the scores in the same confidential manner as with other academic performance information.
Computer Requirements
Every student will be required to have a laptop computer that meets the specifications outlined by the PA program. In order to take advantage of educational opportunities as they present themselves throughout the course of your education, there may be additional experiences required of all students such as extra classroom sessions, on-line course modules, etc.
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The PA Program requires students to have laptops for classroom use and recommends a computer no older than 2-3 years. The program does not endorse a specific operating system or computer brand. This requirement focuses on function and current open standards. Students should have a current, fully-patched operating system. The following list of capabilities is recommended at a minimum:
Hardware
Intel Core 2 Duo, or 1 series processor
Windows 7 or higher operating system is currently recommended*
4 GB of RAM or more
256 GB Hard Drive or higher
DVD-R/RW Drive
USB Ports ( at least 2)
Wi-Fi wireless networking on laptops
Display resolution at least 1024×768 pixels
Sound card, and speakers or headphones
100mbit or 1 Gbit Ethernet adaptor for Broadband
Broadband connection to the internet and related equipment (generally supplied by the service provider). Cable or DSL highly recommended.
Printer
Long life battery (* see below)
Software*
Malware protection
Current, fully-patched operating system
Anti-viral software installed and up to date
Anti-spyware software installed and up to date
Modern, standards-compliant Web browser
Firefox, Mozilla, Netscape, Opera, and Safari are good choices.
Standards-based email client
Some students may wish to use the campus Webmail exclusively.
Standard “run time” environment for Java and Flash programs
A media player
Software to read/write Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint formats (MS Office is available at the USF computer store for a reduced price)
Ability to read PDF files
*Updates to this list will be provided upon matriculation
Email Policy
Student communication with the PA program is routinely accomplished via email communications Students will be expected to check their USF Health email accounts daily for essential communications. Email responses when necessary are expected in a timely manner. In order to avoid problems with receiving important messages from the program due to exceeding your email quota, delete old messages and clear your browser cache on a regular basis. Each student will be responsible for any consequences resulting from the program’s inability to deliver important email due to mismanagement of the email account. Failure to comply with the email policy will reflect poorly on the student’s professional development.
When communicating with the PA program, it is USF policy that only University of South Florida email accounts will be recognized for student communication. This is important because e-mails originating from third-party accounts/services, such as Yahoo, Gmail, and others are frequently routed to quarantine folders. In these cases, the recipient may not be notified of the email until a later date when the quarantine folder contents are reviewed. the sender’s identification does not reflect the student’s GatorLink account, it may be sent to a quarantine folder and not responded to within an appropriate timeframe. University of South Florida policies pertaining to email forwarding and computing resources, including security and privacy issues, can be found at:
Social Networking Policy
The PA program subscribes to the policy pertaining to the use of social networking sites as adopted by the university and USF Health. Official USF Health Social Media sites are maintained through the USF Health Office of Communications and Marketing department.
The administration of the university recognizes that social networking websites and applications, including but not limited to Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, are an important and timely means of communication. However, students and residents who use these websites and other applications must be aware of the critical importance of privatizing their web sites so that only trustworthy “friends” have access to the websites/applications. They must also be aware that posting certain information may be illegal. Violation of existing statutes and administrative regulations may expose the offender to criminal and civil liability, and the punishment for violations may include fines and imprisonment. Offenders also may be subject to adverse academic actions that range from a letter of reprimand to probation to dismissal from school or resident training.
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Finally, although once-posted information can be removed from the original social networking site, exported information cannot be recovered. Any digital exposure can “live on” beyond its removal from the original website and continue to circulate in other venues. Therefore, think carefully before you post any information on a website or application. Always be modest, respectful, and professional in your actions.
Employment
The PA program curriculum is extremely rigorous and considered a 24 month, full time commitment. The PA program strongly discourages students to continue employment during the program. Students who chose to work during the program put themselves at risk for poor academic performance.
Any employment during the term of the program must be approved, in advance of matriculation, or at the time of employment by the Program Director. A student who chooses to work may not miss, be tardy or reschedule classes, labs, exams, special assignments, community service work or clinical rotations because of their work schedule. A student who chooses to work may not switch classes, labs, special assignments, community service work or clinical rotations because of their work schedule. Academic standards must be upheld and make-up classes, labs or exams are not offered. If a student who chooses to work is identified as experiencing academic or professional difficulties, they will be required to appear before the APPC and a recommendation to discontinue working while in the program may be made
Enrollment in Other Programs
The Program Director will notify the Office of the Registrar for the MCOM of any approval for a student enrolled in any other school of the University or in any other institution of learning.
Bicycles
USF has instituted a new program for bicycle use across campus. Please learn more about this program by clicking here: Share A Bull Bikes
Bicycle racks have been provided for your convenience in several locations around USF Health. Bikes must be parked in these racks and may not be chained to trees, pillars, etc. Bikes are not to be brought into any campus or hospital building.
Post Office
A branch office of the Unites States Postal Service is located in room MDC 1415. Stamped mail may be dropped off between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:00 pm. Stamps are not available at this location. A full-service Post Office is located on USF Holly Drive.
USF Student ID and Activities
Prior to orientation, students will obtain a USF Student ID card from the USF ID Card Center (Marshall Student Center, Room 1505). The cost for a new card is $10 and the cost for a replacement card is $15.
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You will need your USF ID card to take advantage of many University services and facilities. Pick up a Student Activities Calendar at the University Center Information Desk to see the schedule of University events for the current term. University activities include low-priced weekend movies, art films, jam sessions, concerts, plays, lectures and sports events. Use the campus newspaper, The Oracle, to keep up with current events.
Student Council
Students of the USF PA Program will be encouraged and assisted in developing a student society to allow further interaction with other PA programs, PA students and the FAPA and AAPA.
The AAPA Student Society Handbook (PDF) is a guide for PA students, faculty advisors and program directors for establishing a student society, organizing and maintaining the society and making it successful. Program faculty will assist students in establishing and developing a unique society at the USF MCOM PA Program to the betterment of the students.
Campus Ministry
Currently some of the religious groups are members of the Campus Ministry Association. The members of CMA include Baptist Campus Ministry, Crosswinds-The USF Wesley Foundation, Episcopal Student Center, and Hillel Foundation Navigators. In addition to the Campus Ministries, there are diverse student religious organizations on campus. The religious organizations are Baha’i Club, Baptist Collegiate Ministries, Campus Advent, Campus Ministry of Bible-Based (CMOBB), Catholic Student Union, Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship, Christian Medical Association, Christians in Action (CIA), Christians on Campus, Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Impact Christian Fellowship, International Fellowship, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Koinonia Covenant Campus Ministry, Latter-day Saint Student Association, Lotus Buddhist Society, Lutheran Student Fellowship, Muslim Students Association (MSA), Navigators, Organization of Hindu Minds, Students for Krishna Consciousness, Unfolding Students Faith, United Pagan Allied Network, Warriors for Christ, Young Israel Jewish Student Center, Young Life College Leadership.
Childcare
Class members with children will find many nearby daycare centers. Checkout Childcare at USF.
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