University of North Florida

Infobox University
name=University of North Florida


motto= "No one like you."
" No place like this."
established=1969
type=Public
president=John Delaney
city=Jacksonville
state=Florida
country=USA
undergrad=13,934 [http://www.unf.edu/unfinfo/factsheet/2007/snapshot.html 2007 Fact Sheet] ]
postgrad=1,685
faculty=572
endowment=$90 million [ [http://www.unf.edu/dept/tsi/FDN/Audits/UNFAudit-FDN05.pdf UNF Audit, 2005] ]
campus=1,300 acres (5.3 km²)
nickname=Ospreys
mascot=Ozzie and Harriet Osprey
colors=Navy blue and Gray color box|#000080color box|#808080
website= [http://www.unf.edu www.unf.edu]
logo=
The University of North Florida (UNF) is a public university in Jacksonville, Florida, a member institution of the State University System of Florida. It currently has an enrollment of more than 16,000 students and employs over 500 full-time faculty. The current president is former Jacksonville mayor John Delaney. The school celebrated its 35th Anniversary in 2007.

In March 2006, The Princeton Review ranked UNF number five in their list of "America's Best Value Colleges," [ [http://www.unf.edu/development/news/pressreleases/releaseview.php?id=411 Press Release] ] and also named UNF as a "Best Southeastern College". [ [http://www.unf.edu/development/news/pressreleases/releaseview.php?id=561 Press Release] ] UNF's status as a "Best Value College" was recently reaffirmed in the 2008 edition of the Princeton Review. [ [http://www.unf.edu/development/news/pressreleases/releaseview.php?id=537 Princeton Review Names UNF A ‘Best Value’ College] , Press Release For: April 24, 2007]

History

The university was founded in 1969 after one thousand acres (4 km²) midway between downtown Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Beaches was put aside for the campus. Until this time, the only publicly funded institution of higher learning was Florida Community College at Jacksonville. J. J. Daniel, Chairman of the Florida Board of Regents, was instrumental in getting the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Construction on classrooms and buildings began in 1971 and UNF opened in the Fall of 1972 with an initial enrollment of 2,027 Juniors, supported by 117 faculty and more than 150 staff. [ [http://www.unf.edu/35th/ University of North Florida website: UNF 35th Anniversary] ] Originally, like the University of West Florida, UNF was designated as a "senior" college, meaning that it would enroll only upper classmen and graduate students.

UNF graduated a total of thirty-five students in 1973. The school was quick to expand, and was given accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1974. The school's mascot is the osprey and was officially adopted in November 1979 over other popular choices such as the armadillo, the manatee and the seagull.cite web | last=Warner |first= Gary |url=http://www.unf.edu/~rbowman/osprey.htm |title=How the Osprey Became UNF's Mascot |accessdate=2007-09-27 |format= |work= ] The male and female versions of the mascot are known as Ozzie and Harriet.

In 1980, there was a legislative effort to merge UNF with the University of Florida and no longer be a self-sustained institution, but a bill proposing this was vetoed by Governor Bob Graham. Freshmen and sophomores were admitted for the first time in 1984. Enrollment at UNF exceeded 10,000 in 1995, and in Spring of 2000 it broke its commencement record, graduating over 1,000 students.cite web |url=http://www.unf.edu/unfinfo/unf_history/index.html |title=UNF History: From Past to Present |accessdate=2007-09-27 |format= |work= ]

Academics

In 1990, UNF began its first doctoral program, the Ed.D - Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership. In March 2007 it was announced that the university will be offering two additional health care doctoral programs in Nursing Practice and Physical Therapy beginning in fall 2007. [ [http://www.unf.edu/development/news/pressreleases/releaseview.php?id=523 UNF Prescribes Two New Health Care Doctoral Programs] , press release, March 29, 2007]

Colleges

UNF is organized into five colleges which offer 52 undergraduate degree programs and 28 graduate-degree programs with a 2003 student-to-faculty ratio of 22:1.

College of Arts and Sciences

Dean: Barbara Hetrick

UNF's College of Arts and Science has an enrollment of 6,218 making it the largest college by enrollment at UNF. Academic Departments include Art & Design, Biology, Chemistry & Physics, Communication, Criminology & Criminal Justice, English, History, Mathematics & Statistics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science & Public Administration, Psychology, Sociology & Anthropology, and World Languages.

Coggin College of Business

Dean: John P. McAllister

The Coggin College of Business is one of UNF's 3 original colleges.http://www.unf.edu/coggin/about/timeline.htm Coggin College of Business Timeline] Programs of the college are accredited by the AACSB. The college is home to 90 faculty and staff and 3,721 students. Undergraduate programs are offered in Accounting, Economics, Finance, Financial Services, International Business, Management, Marketing and Transportation & Logistics.

College of Computing, Engineering and Construction

Dean: Neal S. Coulter

The College of Computing, Engineering and Construction, sometimes referred to as CCEC, is home to the School of Computing, School of Engineering and the Department of Construction Management. The College is home to 1,360 students.

College of Education and Human Services

Dean: Larry Daniel

UNF's College of Education and Human Services is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Souther Association of Colleges and Schools. Student enrollment is 2,010

Brooks College of Health

Dean: Pamela S. Chally

The Brooks College of Health offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Science in Health. They also offer Masters Degrees in Nursing, Public Health, Health Administration and Science Rehabilitation Counseling. 1,969 students were enrolled in 2007

Notable/Flagship Programs

The Department of Music is very well known for its Jazz Studies program, founded by famed jazz euphonium player Rich Matteson and currently headed by legendary saxophonist Bunky Green. The UNF Jazz Ensemble 1 is internationally renowned, having performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival, a two week tour of China, and was twice named the top collegiate jazz band in the nation by Down Beat Magazine. [http://www.unf.edu/coas/music/ensembles.html UNF Department of Music Ensembles] ] A special component of the UNF Jazz Studies Program is the Great American Jazz Series, which regularly brings in stellar jazz artists as residents. This series, along with other opportunities, has enabled students to perform in concert with more than 100 esteemed artists, such as Herbie Hancock, the Count Basie Orchestra, Joe Henderson, Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker, Dave Brubeck, Joe Williams, Dianne Reeves, Louie Bellson, Billy Taylor, Arturo Sandoval, Jimmy Heath, Wynton Marsalis, and Branford Marsalis, among many others.http://www.unf.edu/coas/music/jazzstudies.htm]

In Fall 2006, the Coggin College of Business was added to the Princeton Review's Best 282 Business Schools list::We chose schools for this book based on our high regard for their academic programs and offerings, institutional data we collect from the schools, and the candid opinions of students attending them who rate and report on their campus experiences at the schools,” said Robert Franek, vice president of publishing for Princeton Review. "We are pleased to recommend the University of North Florida’s Coggin College of Business to readers of our book and users of our website as one of the best institutions they could attend to earn an MBA." [ [http://www.unf.edu/coggin/news/newsletter/2006-fall/01_PrincetonReview.htm UNF's Coggin College Among "Best" Business Schools] ]

Two of the Coggin College of Business flagship programs are Transportation and Logistics and International Business. The Transportation and Logistics program was ranked 13th in the nation by "Supply Chain Management Review", paving the way for national prominence. The college came in ahead of the highly regarded programs at Stanford, Harvard, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, and is the leading logistics program in the southeast. [ [http://www.unf.edu/coggin/news/newsletter/2006-spring/02_Logistics.htm Spring 2006 Coggin College of Business Newsletter] ] Also the COB is one of 549 schools that is accredited by the AACSB which honors the best business schools in the world. [ [http://www.aacsb.edu/members/Omd3/Profile_page.asp?id=41573 AACSB profile on UNF's Coggin College of Business] ]

UNF also offers an honors program and a division of continuing education.

Campus

UNF has twenty-eight major buildings and five housing facilities on campus. Many of the buildings bear the names of individuals who have made significant donations to the university, whether it be monetary or otherwise. Some of these buildings include the Coggin College of Business, the John E. Mathews, Jr. Computer and Information Sciences Building, and J. J. Daniel Hall. In addition, the current library bears the name of the university's first president, Thomas G. Carpenter.cite web |url=http://www.unf.edu/library/sc/unarchivesbuildings2.html |title=UNF From the Ground Up: Colleges, Buildings, and Sites |accessdate=2007-09-27 |format= |work= ] A Student Union is currently under construction and is set to open in the Spring of 2009. [ [http://www.unf.edu/view_art.php?article=416 Student Union plans unveiled] ] The Student Union will cost of $50 million and will be convert|148000|sqft|m2. [http://www.unf.edu/unfinfo/factsheet/2007/facilities.html 2007 Facilities Fact Sheet] Facilities Fact Sheet] The new Social Science building (building 51) received the 2007 Award of Excellence for University Building by the Southeast Construction Company for Energy and Environmental Design. [ [http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/011208/ner_235420010.shtml UNF's social sciences building gets recognition] , Florida Times Union Article] There is also a state-protected wildlife and bird sanctuary featuring miles of nature trails and numerous lakes and ponds with an abundance of wildlife on and around campus, from armadillos to alligators.

The first newspaper on campus for students began as "The Halyard" and ran from 1974-1976. It was followed by "The Phoenix" (1976-1977) and "The Spinnaker" (1977-present). In 2005 "The Spinnaker" won the Associated Collegiate Press's "Best of Show" award for the No. 1 weekly tabloid-size student newspaper in the U.S.

The size of the campus has grown to convert|1300|acre|km2. In the Fall of 2007, the University began offering a free shuttle service, which travels to various popular places on campus, including the dorms, UNF Hall, parking lots, and the UNF Arena.cite news | last =Diener | first =Sarah | coauthors = | title =On-campus shuttle routes open | work = | pages = | language = | publisher ="The Spinnaker" | date =2007-08-22 | url =http://www.unf.edu/groups/spinnaker/archives/2007/08-22/spinnaker.pdf | accessdate =2007-09-27 ]

Library

The Thomas G. Carpenter Library, or building 12, is named after the University's first president, Thomas G. Carpenter. Groundbreaking began on August 8th, 1978 and was completed on October 1st, 1980. [ [http://www.unf.edu/library/sc/carpenterlibrary.html UNF From the Ground Up:Named Buildings, Colleges, and Sites Thomas G. Carpenter Library] ] Dedication was on August 15th, 1981, the speech was given by the then Interim President Dr. Andrew A. Robinson. [http://www.unf.edu/library/sc/librarydedicationrobinson.html] The dedication was followed by the Summer 1981 Commencement. [http://www.unf.edu/library/sc/librarydedicationspeech2.html]

In May of 2004 construction began on expanding the Library by adding a 4 story addition. This addition added convert|79000|sqft|m2 and increased the capacity of the Library from 800 to 2,000, bringing the total square feet of the Library to 199,000. Construction costs were $22.5 million. The new addition was opened in December 2005.

Currently the Library has 300 public workstations, 17 group study rooms, 37 carrels, 21 faculty, 24 support staff, over 1.4 million microform units, over 800 videos, 13,000 electronic journals, over 52,000 electronic books, and over 800,000 volumes. Electronic resources are available off campus. Free wireless Internet is provided throughout the entire building and laptops are available for checkout to currently enrolled students. [ [http://www.unf.edu/library/guides/factsheet.html Thomas G. Carpenter Fact Sheet] ]

Housing

The University of North Florida has five areas of on-campus housing, three of which offer similar, suite/efficiency-like rooms: "The Crossings," "Osprey Landing," and "Osprey Cove" each of these designed for triple occupancy. Additionally, "Osprey Hall" offers more a traditional, dorm-like environment with double occupancy along with communal bathrooms and showers. "Osprey Village" offers an apartment-like feel with either double or quadruple occupancy. "Osprey Hall," "The Crossings" and "Osprey Landing" are designated for freshmen. "Osprey Cove" and "Osprey Village" are upperclassmen residences.

As part of a master plan for the school, construction on the new dorms known as "Osprey Fountains" is underway at the east end of campus off of Kernan Blvd. Osprey Fountains will be a 5 story building housing 1,000 students and consist of convert|365000|sqft|m2. It will include a convenience store, grill and common area, kitchen, recreational facility, laundry room, swimming pool and a running track. [http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/101507/bus_207838519.shtml Jacksonville.com - In the pipeline] ] The project is estimated to cost $86 million.

The majority of UNF students reside off campus. Many live in apartment complexes, such as Melrose, and condominium complexes close to the University. The bulk, however, reside at private residences in various parts of Jacksonville and the surrounding areas.

tudent Life

UNF's Greek life is the largest student entity on campus with approximately 1,500 students and has tripled in size in the past year. Fraternities include Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Upsilon, Chi Phi, Kappa Alpha Order, Kappa Alpha Psi, Kappa Sigma, Pi Kappa Phi, Phi Beta Sigma,Sigma Alpha Epsilon,Omega Psi Phi, and Sigma Chi.

Sororities include Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Gamma, Delta Sigma Theta, Gamma Eta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta, Zeta Phi Beta, Zeta Tau Alpha, and Sigma Gamma Rho.

UNF has over 140 clubs and organizations, [http://www.unf.edu/groups/cluballiance/] and a game room/lounge is available to students [http://www.unf.edu/dept/robinson/]

UNF has a monthly TV show called “UNF: Campus Connection.” The show airs locally on The CW Television Network, Dishnetwork and across the state on public access stations. Past episodes are available on UNF's webpage [http://www.unf.edu/ia/pr/media_relations/unftv/]

Alma Mater

"UNF Alma Mater [http://www.unf.edu/acadaffairs/commencement/almamater.html] "
We recall those days of gladness,
Nestled midst the lakes and pine,
Where we sought the gift of knowledge,
Alma Mater, pride of mine.
Sing her glory and her praises!
Let them ring from sea to sea!
North Florida we proudly honor,
U-N-F, all hail to thee!
Near the shores of the Atlantic
where the Osprey soars on high,
Stands our Alma Mater strong and true,
with her colors gray and blue.
Sing her glory and her praises!
Let them ring from sea to sea!
North Florida we proudly honor,
U-N-F, all hail to thee!

Athletics

UNF competes at the NCAA Division I level. Sports such as volleyball and basketball are played on campus in the UNF Arena.The Ospreys are a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference. UNF competes in 17 sports and has won the Sunshine State Conference's all-sports title four times. In 2005 the Men's Baseball team competed for the Division II world series, capturing 2nd place overall. In addition the men's tennis team also was national Division II runners-up. UNF has captured the Peach Belt Conference Commissioner's Cup five consecutive times. The Ospreys have brought home four national titles—men's golf in 1991 and 1993, and women's tennis in 1986 and 1994. In 2004, UNF announced its move to NCAA Division I for all sports. The move began in Fall 2005 and will be complete in spring 2009. The Ospreys will be eligible for NCAA post season competition in all sports in the 2009-2010 academic year. Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe visited UNF to organize preparations for an international club rugby league game that will be played at the university. Crowe's South Sydney Rabbitohs played against the Leeds Rhinos on January 26, 2008 at Hodges Stadium.On September 2nd, 2008 the University announced plans for UNF Varsity Village. [http://www.unfospreys.com/news/2008/9/2/gen_0902080630.aspx UNF announces plans for Varsity Village] ] The project will cost an estimated $30 million which will provide two new facilities and upgrades to existing facilities. The two new facilities will be a a student wellness and sports education center, and a new baseball stadium with a seating capacity of 3,000. The existing stadium, Harmon Stadium will be renovated to include 1,200 seats and used for softball. Other improvements include upgrades to the Arena and Hodges Stadium.

ee also

*List of University of North Florida people
*UNF Arena

References

External links

* [http://www.unf.edu/ Official website]
* [http://www.unfospreys.com/ Official Athletics website]
*Geolinks-US-streetscale|30.26192142670692|-81.50967121124268