<p>Being that I am African-American (Black) I want to know what the black life is like at USF. When I visited I felt like there was a good amount, definitely more than UCF, but what is it like on an everyday basis; seeing as I only saw about 2 hours worth of it. Thanks!</p>
<p>I’m a senior at USF, I started at USF as a freshman, I’m white. I’ve heard from non-USF people numbers of times over the years: “USF has a lot of blacks.” In actuality, blacks percentage-wise are enrolled at USF about the same as any of Florida’s state universities. UCF has about 50,000 undergraduates with about 5000 blacks enrolled–10%. USF has about 30,000 undergraduates in Tampa with around 3500 black students–12%. I think folks think there are more blacks on USF’s campus simply because black USF students are so active participating in so many activities at USF. Blacks are out and about on campus doing the things college students should be doing at college!</p>
<p>I think black life at USF is solid. Black students at USF are actively involved and participate in all phases of activities at USF. I’ve got lots of good friends at USF who are black and we do many things together, yet the same friends hang out and mix it up with just their black friends too. Nothing wrong with that. USF is diverse and probably reflects the general population mixup of Florida in general. There are way more Hispanics at USF than blacks for example.</p>
<p>I’ve always thought many people get the perception that there are more blacks at USF because black students at USF are indeed active on campus and do participate and take advantage fully of everything offered at USF. If you walk through the Marshall Student Center on a Sunday afternoon for example, you’ll see many blacks there to attend black organization meetings, including black social organizations, black sorority or fraternity meetings, etc. What I’m saying is, blacks are maybe perceived as being more numerous at USF simply because they are active on campus and are easily seen any day of the week enjoying themselves with fellow blacks and also with other races fully at USF.</p>
<p>As I see it, black life is great at USF!</p>
<p>Thank you for that. I like diversity since I’ve been at mostly white schools for my life. But i’s nice to know that I will have organizations to join with people like me.</p>
<p>black life is very active at USF!! the Black Student Union is absolutely huge, and a lot of students are involved… not to mention the frats/sororities, and also spiritual organizations like Black Student Movement… also things like Club Creole, which is for Haitian students, etc. </p>
<p>it’s a really welcoming campus to all backgrounds and ethnicities in my opinion. there’s lots of multicultural events, along with ethnic and culture-specific events and groups… I really like the feel of it. one of the many reasons why I’m going there instead of UF!!</p>
<p>Me too, when I visited I felt like everything was great about the university, everyone seemed welcoming. There was a good representation of blacks, which was important becasue I wanted to be around more, compared to my high school, but didn’t want to go to an HBCU. I’m so excited to be there in the fall!</p>
<p>I live right near Tampa, so let me tell you that while there may be an equal representation of blacks and whites at USF, if you go off campus there are mainly blacks living there. 
So if you decide to go clubbing in Ybor or whatnot, you’ll find an active black culture. Have fun at USF by the way, it’s a great school! :)</p>
<p>About 12% of USF undergraduates are black, 18% Hispanic, 58% white, 6% Asian, 6% other. I didn’t knock on every front door in neighborhoods near USF, but the residents off campus near USF aren’t mainly black. Immediately west of campus the neighborhood is mainly black with a lot of latinos too. Immediately north of campus is mostly white/mixed in student apartments. Immediately east of USF is apartments/homes mostly white/mixed neighborhood continuing toward Temple Terrace. Immediately south of USF campus is mostly industrial park and also Busch Gardens amusement park. </p>
<p>Ybor City is maybe about 7 miles from campus; Ybor is ok to visit once in a while, but when you go there, go in a group and bring a couple of big guys with you.</p>
<p>heyy glad you decided to attend USF
Now let me give you the real story
There’s plenty of black people here at USF…about as much as any other school though. You’ll defanately see black people around but I mean we’re still a minority around here of course.
if you want to meet more black people, there are a ton of organizations where mostly black people are members. For example, I’m in the Black Student Union and they do a lot around campus. Soon they’ll be throwing a ‘black love’ ball and of course most of us will be there
One of my roommates is also in the Caribbean Cultural Exchange (CCE) and they throw some good parties and events too.</p>
<p>Now, I’m not going to say that USF is not diverse…because it is. But honestly, most people just stick with ‘their own’ if you know what I mean. In the Marshal Center, for example, there’s a little area on the first floor that we like to call the Black Carpet. You can pretty much guess why we call it that…
There’s a ton of different ethnicities here at USF but most just stick with each other. asians especially from what I’ve seen because they’re always speaking in the native language of wherever they’re from.</p>
<p>Overall, you’ll meet black people here. There’s organizations and events where you can pretty much guarantee black people will be at.
If you’re in to joining any black sororities/fraternities, they don’t live in greek village. They either live in their separate apartments off/on campus or some choose to live together off campus. But it’s not like the sors/frats that live in greek village.</p>
<p>hope I helped :)</p>
<p>p.s. ummm guys…can we refrain from using ‘black’ as a noun when talking about black people. idk it just rubs me the wrong way and I don’t know too many black people who like being called ‘a black’ or ‘blacks’</p>
<p>no worries, just sayin :)</p>
<p>well on the other hand i have friends who hate the term “african-american” because they have other roots, like Haitian or Jamaican… and they specifically told me they prefer “black” because they don’t consider themselves “african-american.”</p>
<p>so, you can’t make everyone happy. if someone is trying to be friendly, and non-malicious, I think the intentions mean more than what comes out, personally.</p>
<p>and there are plenty of multiethnic groups, btw. many of the religious groups are multiethnic for instance, like IVCF and some other ones. also, lots of the volunteer events (SOS, etc) have black/white/asian/latino/etc all working and serving together. it’s what you make of it… if you WANT to stick in your own group, you will be able to do so easily. and if you WANT to have diverse friends, that will be easy as well. :)</p>
<p>Thanks for all the input. I feel like I made the perfect decision to go to USF, I’m sooo excited for the fall :)</p>
<p>There is a difference in saying:
A lot of ‘blacks’ hang out in the library. When you could just say… A lot of black people hang out in the library.
OR saying:
I know ‘a black’ that hangs out at the cafe. When you could just say…I know a black guy that hangs out at the cafe. </p>
<p>I mean you could just say “a guy” or “guys” but if you need to imply what race then there are better ways of saying it then referring to the guy(s) or gal(s) as ‘a black’ or ‘blacks’.</p>
<p>So I get what CherryWill is trying to say.</p>
<p>^^^papertiger speaks the truth!</p>
<p>thank you papertiger87, that was EXACTLY what I was trying to say.
I wasn’t trying to make a big deal out of it but yea, that’s all i was saying. glad you understood :)</p>