Rhea Law

USF launched its presidential search for its ninth president after Rhea Law announced in February that she would step down. Law was selected in 2022 through a search led by SP&A.

An emergency meeting of faculty and administrators was held Thursday, but it did not assuage fears among some USF professors.

The 15-member committee includes USF Board of Trustee members, a student and a faculty member, and business leaders from around the Tampa Bay area.

The USF Board of Trustees plans to conduct a national search for Rhea Law's replacement. Some university leaders are speaking up about what they'd like to see.

Law, 75, has served as president since August 2021, initially on an interim basis, before being named to the role permanently in March 2022. She will remain until her replacement is found.

USF students, staff and alumni attended alongside elected officials to hear about the new facility and witness the symbolic “turning of soil” signaling the start of construction.

“We can best support the free exchange of ideas by maintaining civility and treating each other with respect,” Law said in an email to the USF community.

Speaking during her fall address, Rhea Law also provided updates on USF's football stadium and university achievements over the past year.

When it comes to total compensation, USF's Rhea Law trails the presidents of Florida, Florida State and Central Florida.

The University of South Florida is one of many schools forced to phase out diversity, equity, and inclusion offices thanks to a new state law. But USF officials say the school will remain diverse.

More than two dozen USF students gathered outside the Tampa campus library. They plan to hold a hunger strike unless school leaders meet their demands.

Chair Will Weatherford said "it's our obligation as a public university to uphold the constitutional right of free speech and open dialogue" following recent Pro-Palestinian rallies on USF's campuses.