Who lives in USF Sarasota-Manatee’s on-campus dorms? It’s not just USF students
University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee opened its first on-campus dormitory last year, but USF students make up less than half of its residents.
A proposal in the Gov. Ron DeSantis’s recommended Florida budget may force USF to give its Sarasota-Manatee campus to New College of Florida, but New College students already occupy about 144 of the 200 available beds, according to New College officials.
Included in Gov. Ron DeSantis’s 2026-27 state budget proposal is a draft bill that would force USFSM to hand over all of its buildings and facilities to New College by July.
Atala Hall, which opened last academic year, is a six-story, 100,000 square-foot building that includes suites, apartment-style residences, a ballroom, bookstore and other facilities for campus organizations. The project cost $43.9 million, and USFSM students voted to have part of their activity and service fees go toward the cost, according to USFSM’s website.
The hall can house 200 students, and became the first on-campus dormitory for the USF satellite campus. If DeSantis’s draft bill is passed by legislators next year, Atala Hall will be one of the 11 buildings at USFSM that New College would take over.
New College occupies most dorm rooms at USF
During a New College Board of Trustees meeting last Wednesday, New College President Richard Corcoran commented on the proposed bill. Along with the USFSM proposal, DeSantis also earmarked $25 million in recurring funds and over $30 million for a new multi-purpose hall for New College.
Corcoran called it the “best” recommended budget for New College that he’s seen.
He also mentioned Atala Hall specifically, saying it would be a valuable asset for the campus.
“(DeSantis) has language in there for the USF campus, which is significant…it’s exciting because it’s move-in ready,” Corcoran said.
Corcoran told the board that, if the draft bill passes, Atala Hall would help New College address residence hall needs, as well as provide office space for faculty and staff.
“That one really solves a lot of problems,” Corcoran said of Atala Hall. “And then the 200-bed dormitory, which would give us only about 50, or less, more because we’re already in 155 beds,” Corcoran said. “Regardless, it’s just immediate, turnkey, if it works out.”
A New College spokesperson later told the Bradenton Herald that New College is using 144 beds in Atala Hall. New College pays about $1.6 million a year to rent those beds, the spokesperson said.
According to an audit conducted by the Florida Auditor General, New College closed three residence halls — Johnson Hall, Bates Hall and Rothenberg Hall — in fall 2023. New College offers other residence options, though, like apartment-style halls on campus and nearby hotel suites.
“The University accommodated the displaced students at off-campus hotels and the corresponding housing charges are being retained as housing revenues. This situation has continued through the 2024-25 academic year,” the audit states.
“The University has purchased modular units to replace some of the lost residential capacity. In addition, the University entered into agreements with the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee (USF) campus and an off-campus hotel,” it continued.
