USF Student Government approves resolution for duck crossing signs

A USF student drafted a senate resolution to implement duck crossing signs at the Tampa campus after collecting roadkill data. ORACLE GRAPHIC/DYLAN SABOL

USF’s Student Government Senate unanimously approved a resolution in February to install duck crossing signs at the Tampa campus at the intersection of USF Holly Court and USF Myrtle Drive.

Kaylee Ortega, a junior biology major, drafted the resolution after working on a similar passion project that collected roadkill data by driving around Temple Terrace and the  USF Tampa.

Ortega said she personally witnessed approximately 120 collision incidents involving raccoons, squirrels, ducks, possums and cats in Temple Terrace and USF combined since April 2025.

At USF specifically, Ortega said she saw two collisions involving ducks in the first week of fall 2025 while driving around campus — one with a duckling and another with an adult duck.

Ortega said both collisions happened in the Crescent Hill Parking Garage, where there is a population of about 25 to 30 ducks living there. If approved, the duck crossing signs would be posted outside the east entrance of the parking garage.

“They’re the most prevalent in that area, and they breed all year round,” Ortega said.

Even with SG’s green light, the resolution requests that the USF administration approve the installation of the community-funded duck crossing signs.

Ortega said manufacturing the signs would cost roughly $750, adding that they would be double-sided, reflective and expected to last more than a decade. 

“My hope is just to educate people and let them know that we share this area with lots of wildlife and just reminding them to take precaution not only for the safety of wildlife, but for the safety of themselves as well,” Ortega said.

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Ortega said the university’s Facilities Management denied her initial proposal for the signs due to concerns about adding excessive signage to campus and the belief that ducks are already visible to drivers.

She then turned to SG, which she said encouraged her to write a resolution for the senate.

“This is a really big area of concern, and I need to use my passion for animal welfare and safety to try and get something accomplished,” Ortega said.

Ortega is a member of the Pre-Veterinary Society at USF and volunteers with the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, where she participates in trap, neuter, vaccinate and release programs for feral cats.

She said she also runs an Instagram page — called USF Campus Wildlife — to feature animals around campus and educate people about wildlife.

“It just helped me find something else that I’m passionate about, which is protecting wildlife, or I guess just protecting species that don’t get the recognition that they deserve,” Ortega said.  

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SG Senate President Arjun Manohar said animal deaths on campus directly impact student safety — adding that SG wants to advocate for improved driver awareness.

“This resolution aligns with USF’s values of sustainability, innovation and student engagement,” Manohar said. 

He said student-led initiatives contribute to a safer, more responsible campus.

“Initiatives like this demonstrate that even smaller targeted actions, such as improving wildlife safety, can have a meaningful impact on students,” Manohar said. 

Manohar added that the resolution represents SG’s official stance — but still does not guarantee action.
“The next step is to communicate this to key university stakeholders, such as the President, Dean of Students and Board of Trustees, so the administration is aware of both the Senate’s support and the demonstrated student need,” Manohar said.

Other universities, including the College of William and Mary, Florida Gulf Coast University, Hampshire College and Colorado State University, have also installed or are in the process of installing wildlife crossing signs on their campuses, according to the resolution.

Even if approved at USF, Manohar said the installation timeline depends on departmental procedures — such as those of Facilities Management — involved in implementing the resolution.

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And while Manohar said SG listens to student concerns and does its best to enhance campus life, he said final approvals for campus changes rest with the university administration.

“Some potential obstacles could include admin simply rejecting the need for this, having to go through various approval processes and compliance with university or even state regulations,” Manohar said.

Still, Manohar said that he, along with SG, hopes the resolution passes through the university administration and is installed on campus.

“Once we have a clearer idea if the administration decides to install the crossing sign, I believe this resolution will pave the way for future initiatives on sustainability and campus safety,” Manohar said.