DEEYA GUPTA
Photo courtesy of Jordan DelFiugo / SF Foghorn
USF has announced its purchase of 2340 Turk Blvd., formerly owned by the Sisters of the Presentation, a property acquisition aimed at addressing the growing demand for graduate student housing and expanding campus event spaces.
The new property will provide 41 single-occupancy rooms for graduate students, each equipped with ensuite toilets and sinks, with many featuring private showers. In addition to housing, the property will feature event spaces designed to host university-wide events, conferences and academic programs.
Keo Tamura, first year nursing major, raised concern about the acquisition, “I feel like [the University] should focus attention on what they have currently, focus on the students who live and go to school here now before expanding. I think they should be caring about the people they have now.”
Similarly, Athene Marston, a senior computer science and philosophy double major, said, “It’s more important to prioritize infrastructure and professors and students more than trying to acquire new students and spaces.”
Camryn Hissen, senior biology major, however said she is looking forward to the expansion. “I think the purchase is exciting because I have heard the sentiment that we want more space and housing on campus.” She continued, “I imagine that the university needs to balance both paying to keep our current facilities maintained and building new things to help current and prospective students feel that the university is growing to meet students’ needs.”
According to USF spokesperson Kellie Samson, the $10 million purchase will be funded by the sale of other, less strategic USF real estate, including smaller properties previously held for student housing development. The university emphasized that the acquisition will not rely on its operating budget and will not impact tuition fees. Revenue generated from the property will cover all operating costs, with any surplus contributing to the university’s overall budget.
“I’m inclined to take the university at their word that tuition won’t increase because they have an incentive to keep that promise to keep our faith in them strong,” said Hissen.
“In the time I’ve been a student here, USF has acquired: a blood bank, another school, a farm […] I’m not surprised by this most recent purchase,” said Socks Dijamco, a senior psychology major. “I wish that the students here and now were more of a priority to invest in too.”
Samson noted that the University will disclose details about the specific properties being sold and the timeline for these sales once the properties are listed.
This acquisition is also part of a broader effort by USF to enhance its campus facilities. The university recently purchased 270 Masonic Ave. property for $31 million, with plans for its development continuing unaffected by the Turk Boulevard acquisition.
“Acquisition of the property will help address graduate housing needs, provide expanded event space, and enhance programmatic opportunities — all of which are key priorities for the university’s growth and financial stability,” said Samson.
“Considering the lowered enrollment rates USF has had, I’m curious about how these investments will develop long term,” said Dijamco.
The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees and Sisters of the Presentation did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.
Jordan Premmer, Sophia McCrackin, and Jordan DelFiugo contributed to the reporting of this story.
Editor-in-Chief: Jordan Premmer, Chief Copy Editor: Sophia McCrackin, Managing Editor: Jordan DelFiugo, News Editor: Deeya Gupta, Sports Editor: John Lindroos
