ABOUT
The Presidential Advisory Committees (PACs) advise the President about issues of relevance related to the communities of the University of South Florida. Each PAC meets regularly to discuss prominent issues and challenges and serve as an important source of advisory guidance not only to the President, but also members of the President's Cabinet and the university as a whole. Their work is often done in consultation with key offices such as the Office of the Provost, Office of University Community Partnerships, and Division of Student Success. The PACs also serve as consultants to provide expertise on their respective communities, when necessary, and serve as a critical part of the network between students, faculty, staff, administration, and the community. The operation and guidance of the PACs is overseen by Clara Buie, Assistant Vice President for Student Success.
COMMITTEES & COUNCILS
Presidential Advisory Committees
COMMITTEE ON BLACK AFFAIRS (COBA)
- Co-Chair: Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton, Director of Florida Center for PAInT
- Co-Chair: Dr. Janet Roman, Associate Professor of Nursing and Director of DNP Program
- Membership: COBA Membership
- Annual Report: 2019-2020 COBA Report
Charge: The Committee on Black Affairs is responsible for advising the President on matters affecting black faculty, staff and students of the University. The committee shall also be responsible for advising the President regarding the University's relationship to the black community. This includes monitoring "quality of life" issues as they relate to the climate within the University. The appointment to this committee is done by the University President.
Upcoming Events:
March 29th, 2023
Celebrating Excellence! Honorees
Dr. Ruthmae Sears, Associate Professor, Secondary Mathematics Education
Ryan Watson, Award-Winning Film/Video Director, Zimmerman School of Advertising & Mass Communications
Kimberly Brown, Contract Administrator, College of Nursing
Committee on Issues of Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity (CISOGI)
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Chair: TBD
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Membership: CISOGI Membership
- Email: cisogi@usf.edu
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Annual Report: 2020-21 CISOGI Report
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Website: CISOGI Website
Charge: The President's Committee on Issues of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (CISOGI)
is charged to (a) advise the President on matters pertaining to issues of sexual and/or
affectional orientation as they pertain to Å·ÃÀÈý¼¶Æ¬ faculty, staff, and students; (b) evaluates
and monitors the university environment for problems and issues related to these matters.
The appointment to this committee is done by the University President.
Additional Goals:
CISOGI seeks to support LGBTQ+ individuals and communities at Å·ÃÀÈý¼¶Æ¬ through acknowledging achievements, raising visibility, sharing information, and enhancing connection. CISOGI also advocates for meaningful policy change, resource allocation, and competency training that enhances the university’s ability to develop and maintain the thriving of Å·ÃÀÈý¼¶Æ¬â€™s diverse LGBTQ+ students, staff, faculty, alumni and community partners.
Upcoming Events:
April 13, 2022
Lavender Graduation
STATUS OF LATINOS (SoL)
- Chair: Dr. Leonor V. O’Relly, Director, Å·ÃÀÈý¼¶Æ¬ Testing Services, Innovative Education
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Membership: SoL Membership
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Annual Report: 2020-21 SoL Report
Charge: The Status of Latinos (SoL) Committee is a Presidential Advisory Committee responsible for advising the Å·ÃÀÈý¼¶Æ¬ President on matters affecting Latino students, faculty, and staff of the University. The SoL Committee is also responsible for advising the President regarding the University’s relationship with the Latino community.
Upcoming Events:
October 2022
Å·ÃÀÈý¼¶Æ¬ Hispanic Heritage Celebration Awards
STATUS OF MEN (SOM)
- Chair: Dr. William (Bill) Cummings, Professor, Humanities & Cultural Studies
- Membership: SoM Membership
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Annual Report: 2020-21 SOM Report
Charge: The Status of Men Presidential Advisory Committee is charged with investigating,
assessing, and recommending actions to increase the rate of degree progression and
timely degree attainment among male undergraduates at the University of South Florida.
Upcoming Events:
No upcoming events at this time.
Committee on Accessibility
- Chair: Deborah McCarthy, Director, Student Accessibility Services
- Membership: Committee on Accessibility Membership
Charge: The Committee on Accessibility is charged with advising the President on matters pertaining to ability, accessibility and disability as these issues pertain to Å·ÃÀÈý¼¶Æ¬ faculty, staff, and students, and evaluating and monitoring the university environment for problems and issues related to these matters.
Upcoming Events:
No upcoming events at this time.
ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER DESI AMERICAN COMMITTEE
- Chair: Kevin Lee, Academic Advisor, Judy Genshaft Honors College and Member, City of Tampa Mayor’s Asian American and Pacific Islanders Advisory Council
- Co-Chair: Dr. Kiran Jayaram, Assistant Professor, College of Arts and Sciences
- Membership: APIDA Membership
- Email: apida-pac@usf.edu
Charge: The Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Committee is charged with advising the President on matters pertaining to issues facing Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi, and South Asian American Å·ÃÀÈý¼¶Æ¬ faculty, staff, and students; and evaluating and monitoring the university environment for issues and successes related to these matters.
Community-Based Advisory Councils
AFRICAN AMERICAN ADVISORY COUNCIL
- Chair: Sharon Ayers
The vision of the African American Advisory Committee is to promote, empower, and enhance the quality of university life and educational opportunities for and success of African American students at the University of South Florida.
The mission of the African American Advisory Committee is to serve African Americans who are matriculating at the University of South Florida or who are interested in attending the University by providing financial assistance; admission assistance; and mentoring to help them achieve admission to and graduation from the University of South Florida. By doing this, the Committee assists the University by providing students the information and skills to be successful in a multicultural and global society.
Upcoming Events:
April 21, 2022
Latin Community Advisory Council
- Chair: Anthony Perez
The vision of the Latin Community Advisory Council is to assist Å·ÃÀÈý¼¶Æ¬ in becoming a leading university in the education of Hispanics.
The mission of the Latin Community Advisory Council is to serve as a bridge between the University and the Hispanic Community; to assist the University in increasing the number of Hispanic faculty and decision-making administrators, and the number of Hispanic students enrolling and completing their degree at Å·ÃÀÈý¼¶Æ¬; and to inform Å·ÃÀÈý¼¶Æ¬ about the needs and value of Hispanics in order to respond to the impact of the growing Hispanic population in or community, state, and nation.
The council will, therefore, advise the President on Å·ÃÀÈý¼¶Æ¬'s issues, programs, and initiatives, both internal and external, as they relate to Latinos/Hispanics. In addition, the Committee will assist the President in linking various Latinos/Hispanics organizations and individuals in the community, locally, regionally, and internationally, for purposes that will further Å·ÃÀÈý¼¶Æ¬'s mission and strategic plan. Finally, the council will assist the President by serving as champions of the University of South Florida in the Latino/Hispanic community, and in recognizing Latinos/Hispanics through appropriate University channels.
Upcoming Events:
No upcoming events at this time.
MEETING DATES
Please contact the chair of the committee for specific meeting times and locations.
COBA |
CISOGI |
SOL |
SOM |
Accessibility |
African American Advisory |
Latin Community Advisory Council |
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Second Thursday of the month |
Last Thursday of the month |
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