In 1963 the Florida Legislature authorized funds to establish the University of West Florida. The first president, Dr. Harold B. Crosby, assumed office in July 1964. Ground was broken on April 16, 1965, and the first students began classes in the fall of 1967. Dr. James A. Robinson, the second president, took office in 1974. Dr. Morris L. Marx was inaugurated as UWF’s third president in 1988. Dr. John C. Cavanaugh became the fourth president on July 15, 2002. A 13-member Board of Trustees governs the University.

Currently, UWF enrolls more than 9,600 students in its College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, and College of Professional Studies, and has conferred more than 57,000 associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees.

The UWF Welcome Center provides maps, parking permits, and information about facilities and campus events. Located at the east entrance to the campus, it has a drive-through window for automotive traffic and a lobby for walk-in visitors. Information concerning campus tours may be obtained from the Office of Admissions at (850) 474-2230 or 1-800-263-1074. Information about off-campus locations can be obtained by calling the OWC/UWF Fort Walton Beach Campus at (850) 863-6565 and the Eglin Center at (850) 678-3727.

More information about the University of West Florida and its programs is available on the Internet through the UWF Home Page at uwf.edu on the World Wide Web.

This Catalog represents the current curricula, educational plans, offerings, and requirements of the University of West Florida and of the State Board of Education at the time the text in the Catalog was prepared. The provisions of the Catalog do not constitute an offer for a contract that may be accepted by students through registration and enrollment in the University. In accordance with the University, Board of Trustees, and Florida legislative mandate, the University must reserve the right to change any provision, offering, or requirement at any time within the student’s period of study at the University. Students should be aware that admission to the University or registration for a given semester does not necessarily guarantee the availability of a course at any specific time, but every effort will be made to meet each student’s curricular needs. Students are ultimately responsible for adhering to the requirements for courses and degrees offered by the University by obtaining current information about those courses and degree programs.

The University of West Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. The University is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. Programs, activities, and services, and all terms and conditions of employment of the University are offered with equal access to all persons without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or disability.

Persons with a disability requiring reasonable accommodation should contact the Student Services Office in Building 21, at least five working days in advance to make appropriate arrangements. Persons with hearing or speech impairments should use the Florida Dual Party Relay System at 1-800-955-8770 (voice).