Basic Needs Resources for Students

The University of Tampa is committed to supporting all students in meeting their basic needs. The Basic Needs Committee works to ensure that students have access to essential resources, focusing on food, financial,and clothing support, among other services. This committee accomplishes its mission through the following avenues:

Emergency Grants: Providing in-time assistance with current or upcoming emergency expenses that are not included in the standard cost of attendance.
Food Insecurities: Providing support with temporary on-campus dining and a mobile food pantry each semester.
Career Closet: Providing students access to free professional clothing appropriate for career fairs, interviews, networking events and the workplace.
Preferred Name: Providing instructions on how to change your preferred name, which will be on display in Workday, SpartanLearn (powered by Canvas), on class rosters and your Spartan Card.

To learn more, email access@ut.edu

Committee Members:

Thomas Witherspoon, Vice President for Access and Community Programs
Gina Firth, Assistant Vice President for Wellness, Office of Student Affairs
Lorie Kittendorf, Senior Director, Planning and Assessment; Access and Community Programs
Jackie Galzerano, Director, Financial Aid
Zach McDowell, Director, Student Accessibility and Academic Support
Deb Tritt, Director of Student Care and Advocacy, Operations
Jaycee Kusko, Assistant Director, Housing Administration, Residence Life
Caitlyn Hurley, Non-Clinical Case Manager, Operations
Shannon Spencer, Librarian, Electronic Resources & Serials, Library
Monika Alesnik, Coordinator of Student Competency Development Programs, Career Services

Resources

The Office of Access and Community Programs has established the UTampa Emergency Grant to assist currently enrolled students with urgent, unanticipated expenses. The fund is designed to assist students with recent or upcoming emergency expenses, such as: travel expenses relating to emergency situations (such as the death of a relative); extra basic living expenses needed due to fire, destruction or natural disaster; replacement of stolen goods (not lost due to negligence); and emergency medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance.
Students may request this emergency funding by completing the Request for Emergency Fund application. Typically, grants will be limited to $600 per academic year and priority will be given to students with significant financial need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid. Funding availability is limited to expenses incurred during terms in which the student is enrolled.

On-Campus Dining:

The University of Tampa Basic Needs Committee provides support and resources to students who are struggling in various ways. We can provide Sodexo dining cards to students struggling with food shortages on a short-term basis. To request this, please check off food insecurity in the check box below.

If you need further assistance, support or information, please contact the Spartan Support Program.

Note: Sodexo gift cards are considered estimated financial aid, therefore the value of the gift card must be included in the Financial Aid Package. It is possible that other parts of the financial aid package may need to be adjusted as a result of receiving a Sodexo gift card. Please contact the Financial Aid Office with questions.

The Career Closet at The University of Tampa provides students access to free professional clothing appropriate for career fairs, interviews, networking events and the workplace. Clothing is graciously donated to the Career Closet from faculty and staff at the university as well as community donors. Inventory is always changing but will typically include button-down shirts, skirts, blazers and slacks/dress pants. Our goal is to provide students with the resources to feel comfortable and confident while navigating the professional world.

Students looking to utilize the Career Closet are welcome to attend the Career Closet Pop-Up events held throughout the semester or contact Monika Alesnik for an appointment.

What is a Preferred Name:

A preferred or chosen name is a name you commonly use that differs from your legal name—it is not a nickname or an abbreviation of your name. This name can be an essential aspect of a person's identity and is especially important for students who use a name different from their legal name for personal reasons.

Why Preferred Names:

To promote a strong sense of belonging at UTampa, we have developed a preferred name process. Preferred names help establish a community norm of respect, signaling to students that they are welcomed and supported. This process also assists international students who may use a different name in the U.S. and domestic students who have long used a name that is an ingrained part of their identity.

Technical Impact of Preferred Names:

When updating your preferred name, it allows the chosen name to be displayed in Workday and SpartanLearn (powered by Canvas). Additionally, faculty can access preferred names when downloading their class rosters, and after completing the process, students can update their Spartan Card to reflect their preferred names.

Please note that a preferred name is not the same as a legal name. The legal name will continue to be used for required business, legal, and external reporting purposes such as student registration, financial aid documents, official transcripts, diplomas, federal documents, conduct records, medical and health records, payroll, and professional licensure records.

Support with legal name change process:
https://www.ut.edu/about-ut/university-services/office-of-the-registrar

Student Preferred Name Change Process:

Personal section in Workday