The University of Tampa is preparing for the expected and the unexpected for when the Republican National Convention comes to downtown Tampa from Aug. 27-30, 2012.
According to the UT Director of Public Information Eric Cardenas, “We’re doing everything possible to provide students a typical UT educational experience when they return to campus – or start as new students – in August.”
However, students are already experiencing complications with the timing of the convention. One student, Josh Jacobs, the marketing chair for Student Productions and a graphic design major, has to come back to school two weeks before classes start in order to prepare SP events for freshmen orientation. As the event planner, Jacobs is not allowed to plan any events around the same time of the RNC. “It sucks,” he said. “Travel is also going to be a huge pain.”
The convention indeed already has the university moving its Fall 2012 schedule up. New Student Orientation has been moved to Monday, Aug. 20 and will run through Aug. 24. Drop off day for returning students will start Saturday, Aug. 25, a day earlier than planned, so students can avoid the arrival of the majority of the RNC visitors. - Minaret
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