General Information
Disclaimer: The UF Faculty Handbook is provided as a general reference rather than the official source of university policies and guidelines. For your convenience, links to official UF documents are provided.
Student Guide
The University of Florida Student Guide is an online source of information about campus life. The Student Guide serves as gateway to all of the important services that will assist students at the University of Florida. Students should consult the Undergraduate Catalog and the Schedule of Courses for complete information about academic concerns. Florida Statutes and Chapter 6C1, Florida Administrative Code, are the sources for other rules and regulations related to students.
Student Affairs
As an integral part of the academic mission of the University of Florida, the Division of Student Affairs prepares students to assume roles of leadership, involvement and service in a global community. The Office of the Vice President and other departments play a vital role in creating and maintaining a healthy campus environment through services, programs and innovative learning experiences beyond the classroom. The mission of the Division of Student Affairs is to provide opportunities for student engagement, learning and discovery in a diverse environment that will optimize their university experience and prepare them to serve a global community.
Career Resource Center
The Career Resource Center provides career development, experiential learning, and employment services for all UF students and alumni.
Center for Leadership and Service
The Center for Leadership and Service (CLS) provides the structure and resources to prepare students to become productive citizens and assume roles of leadership and service in a culturally diverse and increasingly complex society. The Center fosters lifelong service and civic participation by engaging the University with its greater community in action, change and learning
Department of Housing and Residence Education
The Department of Housing and Residence Education is responsible for maintaining facilities and programming in support of the on-campus community.
Dean of Students Office
The Dean of Students Office provides many services for students including student orientation, veteran benefits, alcohol and drug information programs, gender issues, and many more. The staff also provides exit interviews for students withdrawing from the University of Florida.
- Disability Resources — All support services provided to and for University of Florida students with disabilities are individualized to meet their needs. To obtain individual support services, each student must meet with one of the support coordinators in the Disability Resource Center and collaboratively develop appropriate support strategies. Appropriate documentation regarding the student's disability is necessary to obtain any reasonable accommodation or support service. Students with disabilities who require accommodations should seek assistance through the Disability Resources Center.
- Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution — Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution is responsible for the judicial aspects of the Code of Student Conduct at the University of Florida, insuring that students receive fair treatment in all hearings. Students, faculty and staff who believe there has been a violation can contact Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution at the Dean of Students Office to discuss options available for reporting incidents to the appropriate authorities. Office personnel can assist victims of assault or harassment by a University student, and they are also available for educational programs on a variety of related topics.
- New Student Programs — The Office of New Student Programs provides on-going programs that support new students and families in their transition to UF. These programs include Preview (summer orientation) and Weeks of Welcome (WOW!) in the fall, as well as managing the First Year Florida courses and the Common Reader Program.
J. Wayne Reitz Union
The J. Wayne Reitz Union is the center of activities of the university community. The Union sponsors a continuing program of activities and houses the Student Government offices and the offices of many student organizations, as well as the Center for Student Activities and Involvement and the Office for Sorority and Fraternity Affairs. It also offers a wide variety of facilities and services for the campus community.
Multicultural and Diversity Affairs
The Multicultural and Diversity Affairs staff at the Dean of Students Office assists students of color including African-American, Asian-American, Native American, and Hispanic/Latino, gay, lesbian, transsexual students, and services for women students and student organizations, in their personal development by providing programs and initiatives that educate, motivate and challenge them as members of the University of Florida.
Off-Campus Life
Off Campus Life advocates for and educates towards the development of students as great Gator neighbors within the Gainesville community. Students living off campus have rights and responsibilities associated with their pursuit of an enjoyable and safe off campus living experience. The office of Off Campus Life provides services and educational opportunities to promote the understanding of these rights and responsibilities throughout the off campus student population.
Recreational Sports
The Department of Recreational Sports at the University of Florida provides an opportunity for every student to participate in an athletic or recreational activity on a voluntary basis.
Student Financial Affairs
Student Financial Affairs administers and coordinates the financial aid program for students at the University of Florida. Major federal, state, institutional, and private agency assistance programs are available through this office as well as financial aid services and counseling.
Support Services for Students Outside of Student Affairs
Student Health Care Center
The Student Health Care Center (SHCC) is an outpatient clinic that provides primary medical and psychological care, health promotion, and a variety of other specialty services. SHCC is committed to providing students with quality health care at an affordable price. SHCC is further committed to positively impact the future health of all students by promoting health and wellness and disease prevention.
International Student Services
The International Student Services (ISS) office at the University of Florida International Center (UFIC) is committed to ensuring the integration of international students and families into the life of the University of Florida and the city of Gainesville. The International Student Handbook provides links to vital information for international students.
Policies Governing Student Behavior
Academic Resources for Students
Students should use the academic advising resources in their major department and/or college for specific academic advising about their major. First-year students with no major preference can declare one of three exploratory categories: Humanities and Letters, Social and Behavioral Sciences, or Science and Engineering for their first three fall/spring terms. Exploratory students are advised by staff in the Academic Advising Center. Students considering a change of major should contact an academic adviser in the major(s) they are considering. Pre-Health and Pre-Law may also wish to consult advisors in the Academic Advising Center.
Integrated Student Information System (ISIS)
ISIS is a comprehensive online resource for students that provides access to unofficial transcripts, degree audits, and many other academic resources. Students register for classes and check grades through ISIS.
Online Writing Lab
The Online Writing Lab is part of the Dial Center for Written and Oral Communication. Students can submit writing questions and samples of their work online and receive tutorial support for improving their writing skills.
Reading and Writing Center
The Reading and Writing Center provides individual instruction to help students improve their reading and writing skills. Students can sign up for individual appointments to get help on papers and essays.
Teaching Center
The Teaching Center, located in Broward Hall, provides tutoring services, review sessions, practice tests, and testing services. Students can also take advantage of a wide variety of written material and software to prepare for the CLAST Reading, Essay, and Language Skills test, as well as the GRE, the LSAT, the MCAT, and the GMAT.
Overseas Study Programs
The Study Abroad Services office in the UF International Center (UFIC) connects students with study abroad programs in a variety of disciplines in countries around the world. UFIC facilitates three different types of study abroad programs: UF Exchange Programs, UF Sponsored Programs, and UF-Approved Independent Programs.
Office of the University Ombudsman
The Office of the University Ombudsman was established by the state legislature and reports directly to the Provost and through the Provost to the President. The purpose of the office is to assist students in resolving problems and conflicts that arise in the course of interacting with the institution. By considering problems in an unbiased way, the Ombudsman works to achieve a fair resolution and works to protect the rights of all parties involved.
The Office of the Ombudsman deals with student concerns of an academic nature. If a student problem is related to an academic program, the University Ombudsman is available to help and offer assistance. Such problems may be related to grades, differences of opinion with instructors, or any academic matter that needs resolution. Students are advised to first contact the instructor, the department chairperson, and/or the college dean before seeking assistance from the Ombudsman, although instances do exist where contact with the University Ombudsman first is beneficial.
Counseling Resources
Numerous resources exist both on campus and in the community to assist students in dealing with problems of all types: personal, academic, legal, career, crisis, trauma, etc. For more information about these and other counseling resources, contact the Dean of Students Office
Counseling Center
The Counseling Center provides counseling and consultation services to currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students and their spouses/partners. The Center offers brief counseling and therapy to help students confront personal, academic, and career concerns. The primary goal of counseling is to help students develop the personal awareness and skills necessary to overcome problems and to grow and develop in ways that will allow them to take advantage of the educational opportunities at the university. For students in crisis, call 392-1575, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m - 5 p.m.
Student Mental Health Services
Student Mental Health Services, a division of the Student Health Care Center, is dedicated to assisting students toward successful completion of educational programs through enhancing and maintaining their psychological and emotional well-being, providing support in situational crises, and treating them when functioning is impaired by stress or psychiatric disorders.
Specific services include: individual counseling and psychotherapy, couples therapy, group therapy, psychiatric consultation, crisis intervention, multicultural counseling program, eating disorders program, alcohol & substance abuse program. For students in crisis, call 392-1171 Monday & Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. After hours, call the same number for referral to an on-call counselor.
Threat Assessment Team
A regular meeting of counselors and student affairs professionals is held to review incidents which represent threatening or disruptive behavior of students. To report a student who has displayed behavior which triggers your concern, contact the Dean of Students Office
Crisis Response Team
The Crisis Response Team is a multidisciplinary team of professionals from the University of Florida, Santa Fe Community College, and Alachua County committed to providing services to students and members of the university community in times of crisis or trauma. The CRT meets on a monthly basis in the Dean of Students Office and responds to both individual and community crises and traumatic events that impact individuals and our community.
Center for Sexual Assault/Abuse Recovery and Education (C.A.R.E.)
C.A.R.E. offers confidential individual and group counseling by specially trained therapists. Counseling services are available to male and female U.F. students who are victims of physical and/or sexual abuse or assault.For students in crisis, call 392-1161 ext. 4231, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Student Legal Services
Student Legal Services in the J. Wayne Reitz Union, offers free legal advice, free notary service, and confidential legal counseling to full-time University of Florida students. Student Legal Services cannot provide assistance with claims involving the University of Florida, the State of Florida, or any of its agencies, or disputes between University of Florida students. All staff attorneys are members of the Florida Bar.
