As the semester wraps up, let’s take a look at the heavy-hitting news articles that made waves around campus. ORACLE PHOTO/ THOMAS MARRS

From game day wins to changes at the university, USF has had a very interesting semester. 

The best part is that the USF’s The Oracle has been there to cover it all. 

As the semester wraps up and finals week takes priority in students’ minds, it is time to take a look at the heavy-hitting news articles that made waves around campus. 

For starters, USF saw zero hurricanes during hurricane season. This is shocking since last year, students were affected by two hurricanes.

While I missed getting hurricane days away from classes, it was nice to not have the semester disturbed by a natural disaster, for once.

Shooting hoax

Just a week into the fall semester, USF’s University Police responded to a report of an armed individual in the Library. 

At the time, what made it scarier was that students and faculty did not know it was a hoax, since USF had not issued a statement yet. 

The only thing students knew at the time was from word of mouth and Reddit posts.

While the initial report was made at 4:45 p.m., UP released a statement at 6:20 p.m.

So, it was an event that definitely caused quite a discussion around campus, both in my classes and in my friend groups. 

Students — myself included — were disappointed by the delay in UP’s information about the incident. 

However, this scary moment was quickly forgotten as something new and exciting came soon after.

Football wins

USF won its football game against the University of Florida the following weekend, which sparked a huge celebration. 

While I am not an expert in sports, I think what made this a major win for USF was its complete unexpectedness. 

Before this year, USF wasn’t explicitly known for football. 

From the games and the little knowledge I had of our football team, I figured we genuinely weren’t going to win.

But to see us beat a school that is so widely known for its sports means the world. 

What made it more special was the celebration I saw within our community. I saw people live-tweeting about the event, throwing last-minute midnight parties and even celebrating in the middle of The Village on campus. 

Words cannot describe how Bulls across Tampa felt to see us win against UF. It was definitely a highlight of the semester. 

Homecoming week

Homecoming week is always an excellent way for people to relax after midterms and socialize with other students. 

I think the most interesting event that happened at this Homecoming was Waka Flocka Flame performing at USF’s Homecoming Concert. 

The nostalgic rapper blessed our ears with his hits, “Hard in da Paint,” “Grove St. Party,” and of course, his iconic song, “No Hands”  — in which you could see hundreds of hands in the air, dancing to that catchy hit.

It was really cool to have such a great performer here at USF, especially since I have heard his songs since elementary school at school dances and at family celebrations. 

It felt full circle to have him on my university campus. 

“Stranger Things” actor Gaten Matarazzo also came to the Marshall Student Center Ballroom for this semester’s University Lecture Series to talk about the upcoming season of “Stranger Things” and his acting career. 

These lecture series are a great way to see some of your favorite actors in person. It was surreal to see people I have been watching since I was a kid, in person. 

Security additions

The Library debuted a new security system with a new tap ID gate in November. 

This now means that to get into the Library, you must have your student ID with you to be scanned in — or some other form of ID, as long as you fill out a form. 

This is great news, as it can help maximize safety at the Library, as a police substation will soon be right next to the front desk. 

Plus, students can now finally walk between Cooper Hall and the Library seamlessly without an enormous construction scaffold in the way, thankfully. 

Concerts 

The Yuengling Center saw many concerts this semester, including Doechii, Renee Rapp and Kodak Black. 

Concerts on campus are always a fun way to connect with friends and even strangers. 

I saw Renee Rapp at the Yuengling Center this November, and it was the highlight of my semester — as I have been a fan of hers since her Broadway days. 

This concert was incredible, as she is such a fantastic performer that the whole audience was mesmerized. 

By the end of the night, I had talked to so many students and even made some new friends. It was a great concert that brought out the beauty of the Yuengling Center.

Having a concert venue on campus, like the Yuengling Center, is amazing because it allows students to find comfort in live music and have it so close.       

This fall semester has been nothing short of eventful. It highlighted what it truly means to be a Bull and to love your campus.

We went through the good and the bad together — with some extra help from The Oracle.