Classes and activities on the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus have been canceled for the rest of Tuesday. Students have been advised to work with their professors to make up final exams as soon as possible. Classes, activities and exams will continue as scheduled on the Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses for the rest of the day.
Earlier Tuesday, USF activated its emergency alert notification system to inform the community about a report of shots fired on the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus. Emergency personnel immediately responded to the main building on campus, the Crosley Campus Center. After completing a thorough sweep of the entire facility and the surrounding area, officers have determined there was no active threat and no shots were fired. The situation remains under investigation and anyone with information should contact the USF Police Department at (813) 974-2628.
Today police at several other colleges and universities across the state of Florida responded to false reports of active shooters on campus. USF is investigating that possibility for the incident on the Sarasota-Manatee campus.
Counseling services and other support resources have been made available to any students, faculty and staff who were on campus today or may be impacted in any way.
Information on counseling services for students on the Sarasota-Manatee campus is available here. Students needing immediate support may contact (941) 359-4366 to speak with a crisis counselor, or log onto www.timelycare.com/usf and select TalkNow services. For faculty and staff, the Employee Assistance Program is available.