University of Central Florida#Greek life

Following President John F. Kennedy's September 1962 speech "We choose to go to the Moon", in which he described his goal of accomplishing a crewed space flight to the Moon by the end of the decade, the space program grew in importance and scope in Central Florida because of its proximity to Cape Canaveral.{{cite news | title = Congressional Record 113th Congress (2013–2014) – University of Central Florida -- (Senate – June 07, 2013) | publisher = The Library of Congress | date = June 7, 2013 | url = http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r113:S07JN3-0023:/ | access-date = October 31, 2013 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151023053709/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r113%3AS07JN3-0023%3A%2F | archive-date = October 23, 2015 | df = mdy-all }} Prominent residents and local leaders began lobbying the Florida State Legislature to increase access to higher education on the Space Coast. With the help of former state senate president William A. Shands and Senator Beth Johnson, on June 10, 1963, the legislature passed and Governor Farris Bryant signed into law Senate Bill No. 125, which authorized the Florida Board of Regents to create a new state university in East Central Florida.{{cite web | title = UCF History | publisher = University of Central Florida | date = 2013 | url = https://www.ucf.edu/50/history/ | access-date = August 12, 2014 | archive-date = August 12, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140812011723/http://www.ucf.edu/50/history/ | url-status = live }} The university was founded as a non-segregated and coeducational university, with the mission of educating students for space-age careers in engineering and other technological professions. Defense scientists and NASA met with students,{{When|date=November 2024}} recruiting for the space program.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

On January 24, 1964, the board of regents purchased {{convert|1000|acre|ha|abbr=off}} of remote forest and pasture land along Alafaya Trail (SR 434) in northeast Orlando for $500,000 as the site of the new university.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} Local residents donated another {{convert|227|acre|ha|abbr=off}}, and raised more than $1 million in funds to secure the land acquisition. In December 1965, the board of regents appointed Charles Millican the first president of the new university.{{cite news | title = Millican's Peanut Butter and Cheese Crackers | publisher = University of Central Florida | date = June 26, 2009 | url = https://today.ucf.edu/millicans-peanut-butter-and-cheese-crackers/ | access-date = April 3, 2012 | archive-date = September 26, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120926053100/http://today.ucf.edu/millicans-peanut-butter-and-cheese-crackers/ | url-status = live }} With the consultation of a citizen advisory group, Millican chose the name Florida Technological University, as well as co-designed the school's distinctive Pegasus seal.{{cite web |url=http://fulltext.fcla.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?a=49&sid=2b5514c174db581337a6fa5a70674588&idno=CF00001585&c=fhp&cc=fhp&view=jpg&seq=2 |title=Accent on the Individual: The First Twelve Years of Florida Technological University |author=Sheinkopf, Kenneth |publisher=Florida Heritage Collection |access-date=December 5, 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Millican is also responsible for the university's slogan, "Reach for the Stars", for the two key principles of the school, "accent on excellence" and "accent on the individual", and for the campus's unique pedestrian-oriented concentric-circle layout, which was based on plans by Walt Disney and has become a model for other universities.{{cite web |url=http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=0024004111f64130facebe329f007c7a |title=Founding President Millican Honored |access-date=July 29, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida |archive-date=June 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100624105929/http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews//index?page=article&id=0024004111f64130facebe329f007c7a |url-status=live }} Millican and then-Governor Claude Kirk presided over FTU's groundbreaking in March 1967. On October 7, 1968, the inaugural classes were held in the school's first academic building. 1,948 students were enrolled in 55 degree programs within five colleges, led by 90 instructors and aided by 150 staff members, during the university's first year.{{cite news | title = University of Central Florida celebrates 40 years of growth | work = Orlando Sentinel | date = October 7, 2008 | url = http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/orl-ucfforty0708oct07,0,7075818.story | access-date = October 7, 2008 | archive-date = October 8, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081008132036/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/orl-ucfforty0708oct07,0,7075818.story | url-status = live }} FTU graduated its first class of 423 seniors on June 14, 1970, with astronaut and Orlando native John Young giving the commencement address.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Millican selected the university's official colors, and had a role in selecting its first mascot, the Citronaut, a mix of an orange and an astronaut.{{cite news | title = An orange. An astronaut. Almost a mascot. | publisher = University of Central Florida | date = July 17, 2009 | url = https://today.ucf.edu/an-orange-an-astronaut-almost-a-mascot/ | access-date = June 13, 2010 | archive-date = June 3, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100603033046/http://www.today.ucf.edu/an-orange-an-astronaut-almost-a-mascot/ | url-status = live }} The Citronaut proved unpopular, so in 1969 the student newspaper, The Central Florida Future, encouraged mascot suggestions from students and faculty. The search for a replacement proved unsuccessful until 1970, when Judy Hines, a night nurse, proposed Vincent the Vulture. He served as the university's unofficial mascot for more than a year. In late 1971, students voted and selected the Knight of Pegasus as the school's official athletic mascot.{{cite news | title = One School Many Mascots | work= Central Florida Future | date = January 20, 2004 | url = https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/media/paper174/news/2004/01/20/News/One-School.Many.Mascots-583071.shtml?norewrite&sourcedomain=www.ucfnews.com | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927183110/https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/media/paper174/news/2004/01/20/News/One-School.Many.Mascots-583071.shtml?norewrite&sourcedomain=www.ucfnews.com | url-status = dead | archive-date = September 27, 2007 | access-date = October 28, 2007 }} The nickname later evolved to the Golden Knights and eventually to the Knights.

After retiring as president in 1978, Millican identified his proudest moment leading the school as when President Richard Nixon delivered the university's spring 1973 commencement address.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Entering office in 1978, the university's second president, Trevor Colbourn, recognized the diversification and growth of UCF's academic programs away from its strictly technological and scientific beginnings.{{cite news |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1988/04/05/milestones-in-ucf-history/ |title=Milestones In UCF History |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=April 5, 1998 |access-date=February 16, 2012 |archive-date=May 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520111919/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1988-04-05/news/0030130226_1_university-of-central-board-of-regents-central-florida |url-status=live }} As the university developed strong business, education, and liberal arts programs, Colbourn recognized that the university's name no longer reflected its mission. From its establishment the university was known as Florida Technological University, nicknamed Florida Tech, until December 1978 when Governor Reubin Askew signed legislation changing the school's name to the University of Central Florida.

Colbourn established the university's honors program, and started the university's first satellite campus{{where|date=August 2023}}. In addition, he was responsible for constructing the Central Florida Research Park adjacent to the UCF campus, founded in 1978. The park serves as a major focus of simulation for space and defense-related research. It was part of Colbourn's plan to make UCF a world-class partnership university. Among the university's first partners were Lockheed Martin and the United States Navy, and Colbourn led the push to found both the Institute for Simulation and Training and the Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers in 1986.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} During his tenure, enrollment increased from 11,000 in 1978 to over 18,000 in 1989.{{cite web |url=http://library.ucf.edu/special/FindingAids/Colbourn.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525172802/http://library.ucf.edu/special/FindingAids/Colbourn.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 25, 2013 |title=Guide to the Presidential Papers of H. Trevor Colbourn, 1948–2006 |publisher=University of Central Florida library |access-date=April 8, 2013}} Colbourn also supported the university's athletic programs. He was responsible for establishing the school's football program in 1979, which began an era of growth for the university.{{According to whom|date=January 2025}} In April 1979, UCF awarded its 15,000th degree.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}

In March 1992, John C. Hitt became UCF's fourth president. Once known mainly as a small commuter and technology school, UCF administrators began to increase its academic and research standing while also evolving into a more traditional research university. When Hitt took office, UCF's enrollment was 20,302. As of 2014, 60,821 students attended classes on 12 campuses spread across central Florida. The university consisted of 13 colleges and employed more than 10,150 faculty and staff. During this time, UCF raised admissions standards, increased research funding, built new facilities, and established notable partnerships with major research institutions.[http://www.sptimes.com/2006/07/28/State/UCF_chief_gets_top_pa.shtml UCF chief gets top pay in Florida] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415061923/http://www.sptimes.com/2006/07/28/State/UCF_chief_gets_top_pa.shtml |date=April 15, 2009 }} St. Petersburg Times

The university's athletic program also grew with an on-campus football stadium, new basketball arena, more on-campus housing, and the development of the UCF College of Medicine at Lake Nona.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} Until 1999, the Knights were represented by a jouster from the Medieval Times dinner show in nearby Kissimmee, Florida. That same year, Knightro was introduced at the staple homecoming event, Spirit Splash.

During its spring 2010 graduation ceremonies, UCF awarded its 200,000th degree,{{cite news | title = UCF to Award Milestone Degree at Commencement | publisher = University of Central Florida | url = http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=002400410a7944710128412c5363007e17 | date = April 28, 2010 | access-date = May 7, 2010 | archive-date = May 2, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100502003831/http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=002400410a7944710128412c5363007e17 | url-status = live }} less than five years after awarding its 150,000th.{{cite news | title = A World of Opportunity | publisher = UCF College of Healthy and Public Affairs | url = http://www.cohpa.ucf.edu/documents/AWorldofOpportunity.pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060909072952/http://www.cohpa.ucf.edu/documents/AWorldofOpportunity.pdf | url-status = dead | archive-date = September 9, 2006 | access-date = June 13, 2009 }}

In August 2018, the state university system's Board of Governors and the Florida Legislature opened an investigation into the university for misuse of state funds. On September 13, 2018, UCF admitted to misappropriating money intended for educational and operating expenses to build the new $38 million Trevor Colbourn Hall, leading to the resignation of CFO Bill Merck.{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Annie|title=UCF lambasted after admitting misusing state funds for new $38 million academic building|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-ucf-funds-misappropriation-20180913-story.html|access-date=2020-09-05|website=orlandosentinel.com|date=September 13, 2018 |archive-date=January 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120002729/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-ucf-funds-misappropriation-20180913-story.html|url-status=live}} In January 2019, UCF severed ties with President Emeritus John Hitt after the investigation proved that UCF had misspent or planned to misspend over $85 million between 2013 and 2018.{{Cite web|last=Aboraya|first=Abe|date=2019-01-22|title=UPDATE: UCF To Sever Ties With John Hitt Over Misspent Funds|url=https://www.wmfe.org/ucf-to-fire-four-employees-over-illegal-colbourn-hall-construction/96137|access-date=2020-09-05|website=90.7 WMFE|language=en-US|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920135235/https://www.wmfe.org/ucf-to-fire-four-employees-over-illegal-colbourn-hall-construction/96137|url-status=live}} Newly appointed president Dale Whittaker, who was a provost at UCF during Hitt's tenure, resigned in February 2019 after just seven months in office over allegations that he also knew about the misappropriation of funds.{{cite news|last=Martin|first=Annie|date=February 21, 2019|title=UCF Board of Trustees accepts President Dale Whittaker's offer to resign|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-ne-ucf-dale-whittaker-resignation-board-of-trustees-20190221-story.html|access-date=February 21, 2019|archive-date=February 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222014204/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-ne-ucf-dale-whittaker-resignation-board-of-trustees-20190221-story.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Gillespie|first=Annie Martin, Ryan|title=UCF President Dale Whittaker resigned 'to end punitive measures and threats.' But is his departure enough?|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-ne-ucf-future-after-president-dale-whittaker-20190222-story.html|access-date=2020-09-05|website=orlandosentinel.com|date=February 23, 2019 |archive-date=June 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620052520/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-ne-ucf-future-after-president-dale-whittaker-20190222-story.html|url-status=live}} Board of Trustees Chairman Marcos Marchena also resigned that month.{{Cite web|last=Powers|first=Scott|date=2019-03-04|title=John Hitt a shadow in UCF investigation|url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/289573-john-hitt-a-shadow-in-ucf-investigation|access-date=2020-09-05|website=Florida Politics|language=en-US|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627133449/https://floridapolitics.com/archives/289573-john-hitt-a-shadow-in-ucf-investigation|url-status=live}} In August 2019, the final report into additional UCF construction projects revealed the balance of misdirected funds between July 2010 and August 2018 was $99.61 million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|99.61|2010|r=2}} million in {{Inflation/year|US}}).{{Cite web|title=UCF seeks to move on after final report on funding misuse|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2019/08/30/ucf-seeks-to-move-on-after-final-report-on-funding.html|access-date=2020-09-05|website=www.bizjournals.com|archive-date=November 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110101359/https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2019/08/30/ucf-seeks-to-move-on-after-final-report-on-funding.html|url-status=live}} The report found that key people in the university leadership were aware of the misdirection of the funds. UCF was fined by the state for 120% the cost of the misused funds.{{Cite web|last=Powers|first=Scott|date=2019-08-24|title=Beyond Colbourn Hall: UCF probe report details 11 other projects in scandal|url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/304103-beyond-colbourn-hall-ucf-probe-report-details-11-other-projects-in-scandal|access-date=2020-09-05|website=Florida Politics|language=en-US|archive-date=January 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131080646/https://floridapolitics.com/archives/304103-beyond-colbourn-hall-ucf-probe-report-details-11-other-projects-in-scandal|url-status=live}}

Alexander Cartwright is the fifth and current president of UCF. He became the president on April 13, 2020, succeeding acting president Thad Seymore, who took over following Whittaker's resignation in February 2019.

The University of Central Florida main campus is located along Alafaya Trail east of Orlando, Florida.{{cite web |url=https://map.ucf.edu/ |title=UCF Campus Map |access-date=2020-11-10 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112034633/https://map.ucf.edu/ |url-status=live }}

File:UCF Memory Mall (30395273585).jpg

The campus is designed to be pedestrian-oriented, with a series of concentric circles.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} The outermost circle is Gemini Blvd, which is also the main road for vehicular traffic on campus. Inside of Gemini, there is Apollo Circle, Mercury Circle, and finally Pegasus Circle as the innermost circle.{{cite web|url=http://www.fp.ucf.edu/mp2010/PDFs/2-15%20Architectural%20Desgin%20Guidelines%20_Goals,%20Objectives,%20Policies_.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128042834/http://www.fp.ucf.edu/mp2010/PDFs/2-15%20Architectural%20Desgin%20Guidelines%20_Goals%2C%20Objectives%2C%20Policies_.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 28, 2009 |title=2-15 Architectural Design Guidelines Element |access-date=July 29, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida |df=mdy-all }}

File:UCF Student Union (30395278155).jpg

Pegasus Circle contains the student union, with the John C. Hitt Library located directly to the south of it. All academic buildings are located inside of Gemini, with the circle divided up into pie-shaped sections for each college.{{cite web|url=http://campusmap.ucf.edu/flash/index.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041206140020/http://campusmap.ucf.edu/flash/index.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 6, 2004 |title=UCF Campus Map |access-date=July 29, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida |df=mdy-all }} As there are very few roads inside of Gemini, many buildings' loading docks are accessible only by sidewalks and thus receive most deliveries at night.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} The University of Central Florida campus is one of only two in the nation with a concentric circle design, the other being the University of California, Irvine.{{cite web |url=http://www.gghs.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=350:csuf&catid=42:college-spotlights&Itemid=202 |title=University of California, Irvine |access-date=July 29, 2009 |work=Garden Grove High School |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830011435/http://gghs.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=350:csuf&catid=42:college-spotlights&Itemid=202 |archive-date=August 30, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Newsweek ranked UCF as having the 20th most beautiful university campus in the country in 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/features/college-rankings/2011/most-beautiful.all.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904004739/http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/features/college-rankings/2011/most-beautiful.all.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 4, 2011 |title=College Rankings 2011: Most Beautiful |access-date=September 13, 2011 |work=Newsweek}}

File:UCF Tower.jpg

Student housing is provided along the perimeter of the campus. Outside of Gemini, the campus is divided up into different themed sections.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} The northwest side of campus includes Greek communities and on-campus residence.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}

File:Knights Plaza.jpg

The north side contains Knights Plaza, an uptown style athletic village with stores and restaurants, the east side contains the Arboretum of the University of Central Florida and the engineering wing.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}

File:UCF Gym.jpg

The south side contains student recreation and wellness facilities, leisure pool, recreation park, and more student housing. Also located directly south of the main campus is Central Florida Research Park, which is the seventh largest research park in the nation and the largest in Florida,{{cite news |url=https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/military-research-building-started-1.1773456 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708133144/https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/military-research-building-started-1.1773456 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |title=Military research building started | access-date=July 28, 2009 |work=Central Florida Future}} housing over 116 corporations. The park provides more than 10,000 jobs to over 500 students and thousands of alumni.{{cite web|url=http://www.cfrp.org/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011218071030/http://www.cfrp.org/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 18, 2001 |title=Central Florida Research Park – Property Info |access-date=July 28, 2009 |work=Central Florida Research Park |df=mdy-all }}

File:Reflection Pond (15736953153).jpg

Main Campus is one of the safest branches nationally in comparison of all branches in the US. The percent of crimes in Main Campus decreased from 0.12% (in 2010) to 0.07% (in 2014) crimes per year.{{Outdated statistic}}{{cite web|title=University of Central Florida in Orlando: Campus Safety|url=https://search.university/best-colleges/university-of-central-florida-orlando/campus-safety|website=Search.University|access-date=August 18, 2017}}{{dead link|date=October 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

In addition to the Orlando campus, the University of Central Florida has several other campuses to service the Central Florida region.

File:Rosen (15318251024).jpg

In Orlando, there is another campus, located in downtown Orlando: the UCF Health Sciences Campus located at Lake Nona, Orlando, Florida.{{Cite web |title=Academic Health Sciences Campus |url=https://med.ucf.edu/about/our-locations/health-sciences-campus/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=UCF College of Medicine |language=en-us}} In addition, the Rosen College of Hospitality Management is located away from the main campus, in close proximity to the heart of Orlando's tourism industries near Universal Studios and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.{{Cite web |title=Campus & Location |url=https://hospitality.ucf.edu/about-rosen-college/campus-location/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Rosen College of Hospitality Management}}

In 2019, a {{convert|15|acre|ha|abbr=off|adj=on|0}} campus was opened in Downtown Orlando in collaboration with Valencia West. It includes the Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, the Union West, and the UCF Center for Emerging Media buildings.{{cite news |last1=Gargotta |first1=Julie |title=New UCF Downtown Brings New Opportunities for Students |url=https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2019/08/19/new-ucf-downtown-brings-new-opportunities-for-students |access-date=5 September 2020 |work=www.mynews13.com |date=19 August 2019 |language=en |archive-date=September 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923031103/https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2019/08/19/new-ucf-downtown-brings-new-opportunities-for-students |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Lake Nona Medical City}}

File:UcfComLakeNonaJune2010.jpg

The {{convert|50|acre|ha|abbr=off|adj=on|sigfig=1}} UCF Health Sciences Campus at Lake Nona includes the UCF College of Medicine and the Burnett Biomedical Sciences Building. The Burnham Institute for Medical Research, a Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nemours Children's Hospital, M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Institute, turning the area into a medical city.{{cite web |url=http://med.ucf.edu/about/our-facilities/health-sciences-campus/ |title=UCF College of Medicine : Health Sciences Campus |access-date=April 3, 2012 |publisher=University of Central Florida College of Medicine |archive-date=March 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320233900/http://med.ucf.edu/about/our-facilities/health-sciences-campus/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://med.ucf.edu/about/our-facilities/clinical-sites/ |title=UCF College of Medicine : Clinical Sites |access-date=April 3, 2012 |publisher=University of Central Florida College of Medicine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320232539/http://med.ucf.edu/about/our-facilities/clinical-sites/ |archive-date=March 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |url=http://www.orlandomedicalnews.com/ready-set-ndash-ucf-med-school-on-go-cms-458 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315062646/http://www.orlandomedicalnews.com/ready-set-ndash-ucf-med-school-on-go-cms-458 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 15, 2012 |title=Ready, Set – UCF Med School on Go |date=June 2007 |access-date=November 20, 2010 |work=Orlando Medical News}} The campus will also serve as the future home of the UCF College of Nursing and the newly approved UCF College of Dental Medicine.{{cite web |url=https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/news/nursing-students-homesick-till-2011-1.1432539 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708132948/https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/news/nursing-students-homesick-till-2011-1.1432539 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |title=Central Florida Future – Nursing students homesick till 2011 |access-date=June 1, 2009 |work=Central Florida Future}}{{cite web |url=http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=002400416a60cde7013003bb6e24006f99 |title=Trustees Approve New Dental College |date=May 26, 2011 |access-date=May 27, 2011 |publisher=University of Central Florida |archive-date=June 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602173752/http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=002400416a60cde7013003bb6e24006f99 |url-status=live }} The College of Medicine welcomed its charter class in August 2009.

Upon completion of construction, the campus could accommodate as many as 5,000 upper division, professional, and graduate students and faculty members in the health-related programs, and include up to two million square feet of research and instruction space.{{cite web |url=http://www.flbog.org/documents_meetings/0024_0061_0414_19.pdf |title=Florida Board of Governors – University of Central Florida |access-date=June 13, 2010 |work=Florida Board of Governors |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723154919/http://www.flbog.org/documents_meetings/0024_0061_0414_19.pdf |archive-date=July 23, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

{{See also|List of presidents of the University of Central Florida|List of University of Central Florida faculty and administrators}}

As a part of the State University System of Florida, UCF falls under the purview of the Florida Board of Governors. The University of Central Florida is headed by the board of trustees, which governs the university, consisting of 13 appointed to staggered five-year terms by the Florida Board of Governors.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} The Student Government president and the faculty chair also serve on the board for the duration of their one-year terms of office.{{cite web | url=http://bot.ucf.edu/documents/BOTterms.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601155926/http://bot.ucf.edu/documents/BOTterms.pdf | url-status=dead | archive-date=June 1, 2010 | title=University of Central Florida Board of Trustees Term History | publisher=University of Central Florida | access-date=June 13, 2010}}

The president of the University of Central Florida is the university's principal executive officer. The office was formed upon the university's creation in 1963. The president is appointed by the board of trustees with the consent of the Florida Board of Governors and leads the university through its daily business.{{cite web | url=http://bot.ucf.edu/documents/BOTbylaws-ThirdAmendedandRestatedfinal.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601160032/http://bot.ucf.edu/documents/BOTbylaws-ThirdAmendedandRestatedfinal.pdf | url-status=dead | archive-date=June 1, 2010 | title=University of Central Florida Board of Trustees Bylaws | date=September 17, 2009 | publisher=University of Central Florida | access-date=June 13, 2010}} Today, the president's office is in Millican Hall on the university's main campus, and the president lives in the Burnett House, also on the main campus.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} The fourth president of UCF, John C. Hitt, served from 1992 to 2018{{cite web | url=http://president.ucf.edu/meet/meet.asp | title=Office of the President : Meet the President | publisher=University of Central Florida | access-date=June 13, 2010 | archive-date=July 27, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727183002/http://president.ucf.edu/meet/meet.asp | url-status=live }} and was succeeded by incumbent university president Dale Whittaker. After Whittaker resigned in 2019, Thad Seymour Jr. was appointed from his previous position as UCF's vice president for partnerships and chief innovation officer to serve as the university's interim president until the board of trustees chould choose a replacement.

Due to cutbacks in federal, state and local budgets, UCF has had over $140 million in funds cut from its operating budget since 2008.{{cite news | title = Hitt: If budget cuts continue, UCF may have to limit enrollment | work = Orlando Sentinel | url = https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2012/09/25/hitt-if-budget-cuts-continue-ucf-may-have-to-limit-enrollment/ | date = September 25, 2012 | access-date = November 15, 2012 | archive-date = October 18, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121018214551/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-09-25/news/os-ucf-warns-of-budget-cuts-20120925_1_ucf-spokesman-grant-heston-pegasus-ballroom-class-sizes | url-status = live }} This included a $53 million cut to UCF's 2012–13 fiscal year budget by the Florida legislature.{{cite news | title = Florida universities face $300 million budget cut | work = Orlando Sentinel | url = http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-03-06/features/os-florida-university-budget-cuts-20120306_1_budget-proposal-cuts-next-school-year-universities | date = March 6, 2012 | access-date = November 15, 2012 | archive-date = May 20, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130520105257/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-03-06/features/os-florida-university-budget-cuts-20120306_1_budget-proposal-cuts-next-school-year-universities | url-status = dead }}{{Outdated statistic}} So far UCF has endured the budget cuts by implementing a hiring freeze, ending some faculty perks, such as free seminars, cutting executive pay, and wise management of funds.{{cite news | title = UCF to Cut Budget, Freeze Hiring and Cap 2008 Freshman Enrollment in Response to Reductions in State Funding | publisher = University of Central Florida | url = http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=0024004102c4c1d99011146fc1c320055c7 | access-date = July 14, 2009 | archive-date = July 1, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100701091035/http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=0024004102c4c1d99011146fc1c320055c7 | url-status = live }} To help counter the budget decreases, the university received $18 million in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.{{cite news | title = Legislature slashes budget by $38 million | work = Central Florida Future | url = https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/legislature-slashes-budget-by-38-million-1.1755051 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110708132944/https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/legislature-slashes-budget-by-38-million-1.1755051 | url-status = dead | archive-date = July 8, 2011 | access-date = July 10, 2009}} UCF's operating budget for the 2014–15 fiscal year is $1.5 billion, a 13.9% increase from the previous year.{{Outdated statistic}} UCF's financial endowment, administered by the University of Central Florida Foundation, Inc., was valued at $162 million in 2020.{{cite web |title=UCF Facts |url=https://www.ucf.edu/about-ucf/facts/ |date=2018–2019 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-date=July 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730030439/https://www.ucf.edu/about-ucf/facts/ |url-status=live }}

UCF's admission rate for first-time-in-college freshmen has declined from 61% of prospective students admitted in the fall of 2005, to 42% for fall 2020.{{Cite web|date=2020|title=UCF Facts 2020-2021|url=https://www.ucf.edu/about-ucf/facts/|url-status=live|access-date=March 28, 2021|website=UCF Facts 2020-2021|archive-date=July 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730030439/https://www.ucf.edu/about-ucf/facts/}}

34% of accepted applicants were in the top ten percent of their graduating class, while 72% of accepted applicants were in the top quarter of their high school class rankings.{{cite web |url=https://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg02_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=1455 |title=University of Central Florida Admissions Information – CollegeData College Profile |access-date=November 22, 2011 |publisher=CollegeData College Profile |archive-date=October 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001034351/https://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg02_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=1455 |url-status=live }} Freshmen enrolled in fall 2020 posted average SAT scores of 1320, ACT scores of 28.7 and average high school weighted GPAs of 4.18.{{cite web |url=https://today.ucf.edu/accomplished-incoming-class/ |title=UCF Today Most Accomplished Incoming Class |date=August 16, 2018 |access-date=August 25, 2018 |publisher=University of Central Florida |archive-date=August 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826080736/https://today.ucf.edu/accomplished-incoming-class/ |url-status=live }} UCF is in the top 20 percent of universities in the nation for SAT average and the top 25 percent for GPA average.{{cite web |url=https://today.ucf.edu/ucf-earns-a-top-5-u-s-news-ranking/ |title=UCF Earns a Top 5 U.S. News Ranking |access-date=September 13, 2011 |date=September 13, 2011 |publisher=University of Central Florida |archive-date=September 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923181349/http://today.ucf.edu/ucf-earns-a-top-5-u-s-news-ranking/ |url-status=live }} 71% of undergraduates receive financial aid. 90% of students receive scholarships through the Florida Bright Futures program.{{cite web |url=https://www.ucf.edu/admissions/undergraduate/tuition-aid/ |title=UCF Undergraduate Admissions – Cost & Aid |access-date=September 18, 2010 |publisher=University of Central Florida |archive-date=December 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206102301/https://www.ucf.edu/admissions/undergraduate/tuition-aid/ |url-status=live }} Forty percent of incoming freshman received Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or an equivalent college credit upon entrance, while 30% of the freshman class received merit based scholarships. The retention rate of the 2010 freshman class was 87%.{{cite web |url=http://www.iroffice.ucf.edu/commondataset/commondataset11/commondataset11.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415044012/http://www.iroffice.ucf.edu/commondataset/commondataset11/commondataset11.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 15, 2012 |title=UCF – Common Data Set 2011–2012 |access-date=November 22, 2011 |publisher=University of Central Florida}}

More freshmen and transfer students applied to UCF during 2015 than any other public university in Florida, and UCF also awarded more bachelor's degrees than any other Florida public university that year.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2016/05/02/how-high-school-seniors-really-pick-the-colleges-they-attend-new-report/ |title=How high school seniors really pick the colleges they attend – new report |date=May 2, 2016 |access-date=August 5, 2016 |newspaper=Washington Post |archive-date=August 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822230609/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2016/05/02/how-high-school-seniors-really-pick-the-colleges-they-attend-new-report/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://today.ucf.edu/short-history-bright-future/ |title=Short History, Bright Future |date=July 7, 2009 |access-date=April 3, 2012 |publisher=University of Central Florida |archive-date=June 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100603061903/http://www.today.ucf.edu/short-history-bright-future/ |url-status=live }} In 2010, UCF was ranked 2nd in Florida, and 34th in the United States, by the number of National Merit Scholars enrolled.{{cite web |url=https://today.ucf.edu/ucf-national-merit-scholars/ |title=UCF & National Merit Scholars |access-date=September 18, 2010 |date=April 6, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida |archive-date=December 13, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213150144/http://today.ucf.edu/ucf-national-merit-scholars/ |url-status=live }}{{Outdated statistic}} 335 National Merit Scholars enrolled at UCF for the fall 2020 term.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

The University of Central Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.{{cite web |url=http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=University+of+Central+Florida&s=FL&id=132903 |title=College Navigator – University of Central Florida |access-date=July 9, 2009 |publisher=U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604104213/http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=University+of+Central+Florida&s=FL&id=132903 |url-status=live }} Its academic calendar is based on the semester system,{{cite web|url=http://www.registrar.sdes.ucf.edu/calendar/academic/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821045147/http://registrar.sdes.ucf.edu/calendar/academic/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 21, 2008 |title=University of Central Florida Academic Calendar |publisher=University of Central Florida |access-date=June 13, 2010}} with the typical fall semester running from the end of August until the beginning of December and the typical spring semester running from the beginning of January through the beginning of May. In addition, UCF offers four different summer semesters, A, B, C, and D, ranging from six to 12 weeks.{{cite web|url=http://www.registrar.ucf.edu/calendar/academic/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723103416/http://www.registrar.ucf.edu/calendar/academic/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 23, 2008 |title=University of Central Florida Academic Calendar |publisher=University of Central Florida |access-date=August 3, 2009}} The university is classified as a "large four-year, primarily nonresidential" university with a

"comprehensive doctoral" graduate instructional program and "highest research activity".

{{Infobox US university ranking

| Forbes_NU = 110

| USNWR_NU = 121 (tie)

| Wamo_NU = 36

| WSJ_NU = 172

| QS_W = 741–750

| THE_W = 401–500

| USNWR_W = 432 (tie)

| ARWU_W = 301–400

}}

In the 2023 U.S. News & World Report rankings, UCF was tied for 124th in the National Universities category (tied for 64th among "Top Public Schools"). In addition, U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Central Florida as the 14th most innovative school and 8th best in online bachelor's program in the nation.{{cite web|url=https://www.ucf.edu/academics/us-news-rankings/|title=2023 BEST COLLEGES RANKINGS|access-date=August 22, 2023 |work=UCF.edu}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/bachelors/rankings |title=2023-2024 Best Online Bachelor's Programs |work=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=February 5, 2024}}

{{multiple image

| align = right

| direction = vertical

| header =

| header_align = left/right/center

| header_background =

| footer =

| footer_align = left/right/center

| footer_background =

| width =

| image1 = UCF College of Sciences.jpg

| width1 = 175

| alt1 = A brick and glass clad building is seen alongside a street.

| caption1 = College of Sciences

| image2 = UCF HCEC.jpg

| width2 = 175

| alt2 = A modern architectural style building is seen clad in stone, metal, and glass against the backdrop of trees and a blue sky.

| caption2 = Engineering Center

| image3 = UCF TA.jpg

| width3 = 175

| alt3 = A modern architectural style building is seen clad in metal and glass against the backdrop of trees and a blue sky.

| caption3 = Teaching Academy

}}

The university houses 13 colleges, which offer 101 baccalaureate programs, 88 master's programs, 31 doctoral programs, three specialist programs, and a professional program (medicine).{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} In addition, 75% of the faculty have doctorate degrees, and 46% have tenure.{{cite web | url=http://www.catalog.sdes.ucf.edu/UCFUGRDCatalog1314.pdf | title=2013–2014 Undergraduate Catalog | publisher=University of Central Florida | year=2013 | access-date=May 25, 2013}}{{dead link|date=January 2017}} The 13 colleges house 41 separate degree-granting departments and schools.

By enrollment, the three largest undergraduate units are the College of Sciences, the College of Business Administration, and the Health Professions and Sciences. At the graduate level, the College of Graduate Studies serves as the central administrative unit of graduate education at the university.{{cite web | url=http://www.graduate.ucf.edu/article.aspx?id=130 | title=College of Graduate Studies – University of Central Florida | publisher=University of Central Florida College of Graduate Studies | access-date=July 7, 2009 | archive-date=August 31, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831002032/http://www.graduate.ucf.edu/article.aspx?id=130 | url-status=live }} Graduate students are also students of one of the other 12 colleges at the university. The university is seeking approval for a College of Dental Medicine, which would be housed at the Health Sciences Campus in Lake Nona.{{cite news |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2011/05/26/ucf-dental-school-wins-trustees-approval/ |title=UCF dental school wins trustees' approval |date=May 26, 2011 |access-date=May 27, 2011 |work=Orlando Sentinel |archive-date=May 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530010141/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-05-26/features/os-ucf-dental-school-052711-20110526_1_dental-school-dental-program-ucf-plans |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.med.ucf.edu/news/news/2011/may/052711_1/ |title=College of Medicine News Release: UCF Trustees Approve Dental College |date=May 26, 2011 |access-date=May 27, 2011 |publisher=UCF College of Medicine |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004103239/http://www.med.ucf.edu/news/news/2011/may/052711_1/ |archive-date=October 4, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}

{{Main|The Burnett Honors College}}

The University Honors Program, administered by the Burnett Honors College is designed for 500 accomplished incoming undergraduates annually.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} Undergraduates enrolled in the Honors College participate in smaller classes with faculty, including individual research programs or assigned research in the area of a sponsoring faculty member.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} Another program offered by the college is Honors in the Major, which allows juniors and seniors to conduct original research within their major and write an undergraduate honors thesis.{{cite web|url=http://www.honors.ucf.edu/Admissions_Main.asp |title=Admissions Overview |access-date=July 7, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604115118/http://www.honors.ucf.edu/Admissions_Main.asp |archive-date=June 4, 2009}}

{{Main|University of Central Florida College of Medicine}}

The UCF College of Medicine was established in 2006 by the Florida Legislature and the Florida Board of Governors to increase opportunities for medical education in Florida. The College of Medicine welcomed its charter class of 41 students on August 3, 2009, and eventually will produce about 120 medical graduates a year.{{cite web |url=http://med.ucf.edu/about/ |title=College of Medicine :: About the College |access-date=July 28, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida College of Medicine |archive-date=July 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718220856/http://www.med.ucf.edu/about/ |url-status=live }}

File:UCF College of Medicine.jpg

With more than 4,300 applications for 41 available positions, UCF broke the state university record for most applications, and for 2009 it was the most selective medical school in the country.{{cite news |url=https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/med-students-receive-white-coats-begin-class-1.1788553 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708133102/https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/med-students-receive-white-coats-begin-class-1.1788553 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |title=Med students receive white coats, begin class |access-date=August 3, 2009 |date=August 3, 2009 |work=Central Florida Future}}{{Outdated statistic}} For the class of 2014, there were 3,761 applicants and only 60 were accepted.{{cite web|url=http://publications.ucf.edu/college-of-medicine/viewbook.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711201543/http://publications.ucf.edu/college-of-medicine/viewbook.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 11, 2011 |title=College of Medicine Viewbook |access-date=April 3, 2012 |publisher=University of Central Florida College of Medicine |df=mdy-all }}{{Outdated statistic}} This initial class had the highest average MCAT score, 32.2, and GPA, 3.8, of any incoming class of medical students in the state.{{cite web |url=http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=00240041037381429012136c33d79002dda |title=UCF's First Class of Med Students Greeted with Ceremony, Surprise |access-date=August 3, 2009 |date=August 3, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida |archive-date=August 4, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804084211/http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=00240041037381429012136c33d79002dda |url-status=live }} The inaugural class had a median age of 28, with 25% of the class composed of out-of-state students. The charter class completed their first year of courses on the UCF main campus, while the Lake Nona Medical City was completed.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} Every member of the inaugural class received a full scholarship, including tuition and basic living expenses, for their entire four years at the university, valued at over $160,000.{{cite web |url=https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/2.10660/med-school-a-large-draw-1.1420658 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722185827/https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/2.10660/med-school-a-large-draw-1.1420658 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 22, 2011 |title=Med school a large draw |access-date=April 28, 2009 |date=September 17, 2008 |work=Central Florida Future}}

The university aims for the college to become a research-intensive medical school, with the aid of the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, the UCF Lake Nona Cancer Center, a Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nemours Children's Hospital, Tavistock Group, and a M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Institute, all located on the College of Medicine's Lake Nona campus.

File:Rosen (15939858242).jpg

{{Main|Rosen College of Hospitality Management}}

Located near the Orange County Convention Center on Universal Boulevard in Downtown Orlando, the college's {{convert|20|acre|ha|0|abbr=off|adj=on}} campus is designed to imitate a resort-style feel, with various areas of the college named for major donors to the college (e.g. Disney Dining Room, Universal Orlando Library, Darden Auditorium, and the state-of-the-art Anheuser Busch Beer & Wine Lab).{{cite web|url=http://hospitality.ucf.edu/support/donors/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016071723/http://hospitality.ucf.edu/support/donors/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 16, 2011 |title=Rosen College of Hospitality Management :: Donors |access-date=April 3, 2012 |publisher=University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management |df=mdy-all }} Regular Shuttle service is offered on most days that class is in session to and from the UCF Main Campus.{{cite web |title=Rosen Campus Shuttle |url=https://parking.ucf.edu/transportation/rosen-campus/ |website=UCF Parking Services |publisher=University of Central Florida |access-date=27 October 2022}}

The college features an on-site Campus Life Office and Career Services Office that coordinate on-campus activities and career development events in conjunction with the UCF Student Government Association. In 2005, the university opened two on-campus housing buildings, able to house 400 residents.{{cite web |url=http://www.housing.ucf.edu/choices/rosen/ |title=Rosen College Student Apartments |access-date=June 13, 2010 |work=UCF Department of Housing and Residence Life |archive-date=November 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128134227/http://www.housing.ucf.edu/choices/rosen/ |url-status=live }} The college offers a variety of student organizations including associations such as Eta Sigma Delta (International Hospitality Management Honor Society), National Society of Minorities in Hospitality, the Professional Convention Management Association, and the National Association of Catering Executives, and the Global Association of Christian Hospitality Professionals.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Among the colleges, a number of undergraduate academic programs are termed "limited access programs" which are programs where student demand exceeds available resources thus making admission to such program competitive.{{cite web|url=http://www.catalog.sdes.ucf.edu/undergraduate_admissions/limited_access_programs/Default.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013105157/http://www.catalog.sdes.ucf.edu/undergraduate_admissions/limited_access_programs/Default.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 13, 2008 |title=University of Central Florida 2010–2011 Undergraduate Catalog – Limited Access Programs |access-date=September 18, 2010 |publisher=University of Central Florida |df=mdy-all }} Examples include academic programs taught under the Nicholson School of Communication and the music, theatre, dance, and medical laboratory sciences schools or departments.{{cite web |url=http://communication.cos.ucf.edu/include/file/resources/forms/advisementReference.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530131624/http://communication.cos.ucf.edu/include/file/resources/forms/advisementReference.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 30, 2010 |title=Nicholson School of Communication (NSOC) |access-date=July 28, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida Nicholson School of Communication}}{{cite web |url=http://transfer.sdes.ucf.edu/files/workshop2005/cas.ppt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605052105/http://transfer.sdes.ucf.edu/files/workshop2005/cas.ppt |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 5, 2010 |title=Community College Counselor Workshop |access-date=July 28, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences}}{{cite web |url=http://transfer.sdes.ucf.edu/manual/manual_0203/programs/arts_and_sciences/theatre_ba.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100603025844/http://transfer.sdes.ucf.edu/manual/manual_0203/programs/arts_and_sciences/theatre_ba.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 3, 2010 |title=UCF Curriculum Guide |access-date=July 28, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida}}{{cite web |url=http://www.biomed.ucf.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=84&Itemid=168 |title=Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences – Bachelor of Science |access-date=February 10, 2011 |publisher=University of Central Florida College of Medicine |archive-date=September 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910160708/http://www.biomed.ucf.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=84&Itemid=168 |url-status=live }} Students must apply to join these programs separately from admission to the university. Criteria for admission varies but is generally very selective and includes factors such as indicators of ability, performance, creativity, and talent. Arts programs require competitive auditions and have some of the smallest numbers of undergraduate majors in the university.

File:UCFlibrary.jpg

{{Main|University of Central Florida Libraries}}

UCF Libraries collections include over 2.2 million print volumes, 3.2 million microforms, 330,000 government documents, 10,000 full text electronic journal subscriptions, 660,000 e-books, 40,000 media titles, a base of 43,000 serial subscriptions, in addition to special collections and university archives materials. Notable collections within the library include the Bryant West Indies collection, the Van Sickle Leftist Pamphlet collection, the Book Arts Collection, collections of materials on tourism and hospitality, and materials on the history of Central Florida.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} UCF Libraries is a partner within the State University System of Florida Libraries.

Most of the print and media collection is housed in the John C. Hitt Library, which is located on UCF's main campus and is open to students, faculty and the public seven days a week. The library is five stories tall, and was the first academic building on campus.{{cite web|url=http://library.ucf.edu/govdocs/ucfstats.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050414080049/http://library.ucf.edu/GovDocs/ucfstats.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 14, 2005 |title=Resources for UCF Statistics & History |access-date=October 12, 2010 |publisher=University of Central Florida |df=mdy-all }} Leonardo Nierman's sculpture Flame of Hope is displayed outside the entrance to the building, and Nierman's stained glass Genesis window is exhibited on the third floor of the library building.{{cite news |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1986/07/22/flame-of-hope-to-light-ucfs-path/ |title='Flame Of Hope' To Light UCF's Path |date=July 22, 1986 |access-date=October 12, 2010 |work=Orlando Sentinel |archive-date=September 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902075732/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1986-07-22/lifestyle/0240070213_1_allison-nierman-advisory-board |url-status=live }} In 2012, the main campus library was dedicated to honor John C. Hitt, UCF's fourth president, who at the time was celebrating his twentieth anniversary as university president.{{cite web |url=https://today.ucf.edu/new-library-name-a-hitt-with-ucf-board-of-trustees/ |title=New Library Name a 'Hitt' with UCF Board of Trustees |date=March 15, 2012 |access-date=May 14, 2012 |publisher=University of Central Florida |archive-date=May 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531080909/http://today.ucf.edu/new-library-name-a-hitt-with-ucf-board-of-trustees/ |url-status=live }} In addition to the John C. Hitt Library, Rosen College library, Downtown Library, Curriculum Materials Center, and the Harriet F. Ginsburg Health Sciences Library, UCF operates libraries at nine of its regional campuses throughout Central Florida.{{cite web |url=http://library.ucf.edu/Administration/AnnualReports/2010-2011/Regional.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525174232/http://library.ucf.edu/Administration/AnnualReports/2010-2011/Regional.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 25, 2013 |title=2010-2011 UCF Libraries Annual Report - Regional Campus Libraries |access-date=May 14, 2012 |publisher=University of Central Florida}}

The student newspaper, the Central Florida Future, at one time was housed on the upper floor of the library before moving to the Central Florida Research Park. In 1984, a complete renovation of the original library was undertaken, as well as an addition that more than doubled the size of the building.{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://library.ucf.edu/21st/history/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=UCF Libraries |language=en}} University president Trevor Colbourn dedicated the newly remodeled and expanded library in February 1985. A $64.4 million expansion of the Hitt Library, which would add {{convert|212400|sqft|m2}} of space, as well as an Automated Retrieval System was recently{{When|date=August 2024}} approved by the university's board of trustees but may be delayed due to budget cuts.{{cite news |title = UCF seeks higher fee to fund $64.4M library upgrade |work = Orlando Business Journal |date = June 8, 2012 |url = http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/print-edition/2012/06/08/ucf-seeks-higher-fee-to-fund-644m.html |access-date = March 11, 2013 |archive-date = June 27, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120627121008/http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/print-edition/2012/06/08/ucf-seeks-higher-fee-to-fund-644m.html |url-status = live }}

In 2022, the library began working on its 21st Century Library Project, a multi-phased plan designed to create additional space for student learning, technology, collaboration, and research expansion.{{cite web |title=21st Century Library |url=https://library.ucf.edu/21st/ |website=UCF Libraries |publisher=University of Central Florida |access-date=27 October 2022}} The project upon completion will include the construction of a four-story automated retrieval center, increased quiet study space, and the creation of additional research and writing facilities on the fifth floor.{{cite web |url=https://library.ucf.edu/about/libraries/john-c-hitt-library/|title=John C. Hitt Library|publisher=University of Central Florida |website=UCF Libraries|access-date=October 23, 2019}}

{{further|University of Central Florida research centers}}

The University of Central Florida fosters research among its thirteen academic colleges and schools, partnerships with corporations such as Lockheed Martin, Disney, Boeing, L3Harris, Siemens, SpaceX, and Universal.{{cite web | title = UCF / Lockheed Martin Work Experience Program | publisher = University of Central Florida Career Services | url = http://www.career.ucf.edu/Students/Undergraduate_Students/Gain_Relevant_Work_Experience/Lockheed_Martin_Work_Experience_Program_48_187.aspx | access-date = July 28, 2009 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090616011137/http://www.career.ucf.edu/Students/Undergraduate_Students/Gain_Relevant_Work_Experience/Lockheed_Martin_Work_Experience_Program_48_187.aspx | archive-date = June 16, 2009 | df = mdy-all }}{{cite web|title=Boeing Announces Educational Partnership with U.S. Air Force, UCF and FIT |publisher=Boeing |url=http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/1996/news.release.960305.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010430044450/http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/1996/news.release.960305.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 30, 2001 |access-date=July 28, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite news | title = UCF, Siemens expanding energy, turbine research | publisher = Orlando Business Journal | url = http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2008/10/20/story12.html | date = October 17, 2008 | access-date = July 28, 2009 | archive-date = June 27, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150627054004/http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2008/10/20/story12.html | url-status = live }}{{Cite web|url= https://floridapolitics.com/archives/518863-ucf-announces-results-of-disney-aspire-program-nearly-1000-participants-earning-degrees/|title=UCF announces results of Disney Aspire program — nearly 1,000 participants earning degrees |date=April 23, 2022|website=Floridapolitics.com|access-date=March 9, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ucf.edu/news/ucf-unveils-l3harris-engineering-center-noting-longstanding-partnership/?amp|title=UCF Unveils L3Harris Engineering Center, Noting Longstanding Partnership|date=February 8, 2021|website=ucf.edu.com|access-date=March 9, 2023}} UCF also houses a satellite campus in Cocoa, FL, near Kennedy Space Center. UCF is also a member of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.{{cite web|title=About Florida High Tech Corridor |publisher=Florida High Tech Corridor |url=http://www.floridahightech.com/about.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907001656/http://www.floridahightech.com/about.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 7, 2010 |access-date=June 13, 2010 |df=mdy-all }} The university has made noted research contributions to aerospace, optics, modeling and simulation, digital media, engineering and computer science, business administration, education, and hospitality management.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ucf.edu/news/ucf-named-no-1-aerospace-defense-workforce-supplier-for-6th-year-in-a-row/?amp|title= UCF Named No. 1 Aerospace, Defense Workforce Supplier for 6th Year in a Row |date= 2020|website=ucf.edu.com|access-date=March 9, 2023}}

UCF is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".{{cite web |title=Carnegie Classifications Institution Lookup |url=https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=132903 |publisher=Center for Postsecondary Education |website=carnegieclassifications.iu.edu |access-date=21 July 2020 |archive-date=July 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722032617/https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=132903 |url-status=live }} According to the National Science Foundation, UCF spent $215.3 million on research and development in 2018, ranking it 107th in the nation.{{cite web |title=Table 20. Higher education R&D expenditures, ranked by FY 2018 R&D expenditures: FYs 2009–18 |url=https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/herd/2018/html/herd18-dt-tab020.html |website=ncsesdata.nsf.gov |publisher=National Science Foundation |access-date=21 July 2020 |archive-date=June 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611114022/https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/herd/2018/html/herd18-dt-tab020.html |url-status=live }} In 2009, UCF directly influenced 26,000 jobs and $1.96 billion in economic activity. When UCF's economic impact is combined with that of the Central Florida Research Park, the university and park influenced 46,000 jobs and $3.84 billion in economic activity in 2009.{{cite web |url=https://today.ucf.edu/blog/2009/04/06/ucfs-economic-impact/ |title=UCF's Economic Impact |access-date=July 28, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513035151/https://today.ucf.edu/blog/2009/04/06/ucfs-economic-impact/ |archive-date=May 13, 2009}} The new College of Medicine, which opened in August 2009, will create an estimated 30,000 local jobs and have an economic impact of $7.6 billion in its first few years.{{cite web |url=https://today.ucf.edu/blog/2009/04/06/ucfs-economic-impact/ |title=UCF's Economic Impact |work= UCF Today |access-date=June 2, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513035151/https://today.ucf.edu/blog/2009/04/06/ucfs-economic-impact/ |archive-date=May 13, 2009}}{{update inline|date=July 2020}}

Metropolitan Orlando sustains the world's largest recognized cluster of modeling, simulation and training companies. Located directly south of the main campus is the Central Florida Research Park, which is one of the largest research parks in the nation, providing more than 10,000 jobs.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} Research Park is the 7th largest research park in the nation, with 2,700 Department of Defense, NASA personnel, and direct support contractors.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} Collectively, those defense organizations manage $5.2 billion in contracts every year.{{cite web |url=http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=00240041037381429012136c33d790049c1 |title=New UCF Partnership Building Will Save, Add Jobs |access-date=July 12, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida |archive-date=July 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711183811/http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=00240041037381429012136c33d790049c1 |url-status=live }} Many of the employees in Research Park work with UCF researchers and students on projects in the sciences, engineering, photonics and optics, modeling and simulation, and health-related fields.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

The university also conducts research through numerous institutions and centers, including the Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers, Florida Solar Energy Center, Institute for Simulation and Training and Institute for Economic Competitiveness.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

UCF founded and governs the Florida Space Institute along with government partnerships such as NASA.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} As a result of their contributions, 17 UCF researchers had asteroids named after them.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} UCF researchers found and named a planet in 2012 after the discovery of UCF-1.01.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} The U.S. National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center is also managed by UCF.{{Cite web|title=Space|url=https://www.ucf.edu/space/|access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=ucf.edu|language=en-US}} A 2015 Aviation Week & Space Technology workforce study named UCF the No. 1 supplier of engineers to aerospace and defense industries.{{Cite web|title=Space|url=https://www.ucf.edu/pegasus/one-small-step-man-one-giant-leap-ucf/|access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=ucf.edu|language=en-US}}{{Outdated statistic}}

UCF's student body consists of 61,456 undergraduates and 10,002 graduate and professional students and 490 M.D. students from all 67 Florida counties, all 50 states and 157 countries.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} Study abroad programs allow UCF students to study and conduct research in 42 programs in 21 countries. The ten largest undergraduate disciplines at UCF are business management and administration, health professions and related, psychology, education, engineering, biology, multi/interdisciplinary studies, computer and information sciences, hospitality, and social sciences.

UCF's enrollment has increased by over 60% this century, from 33,453 in 2000{{cite web|url=http://www.iroffice.ucf.edu/character/char0001.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030507042154/http://www.iroffice.ucf.edu/character/char0001.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 7, 2003 |title=Facts About UCF – 2000–2001 |access-date=July 14, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida |df=mdy-all }} to 64,318 in 2016. Of the more than 60,000 students, 11% are graduate and professional students, while women make up 55% of the student body. Nearly 20 percent of UCF faculty are minorities.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Due to budget decreases and increased demands on the university, the UCF board of trustees, with the approval of the board of governors and the Florida legislature, approved a 15% increase in tuition for the 2012–13 academic year.{{cite news |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2012/06/21/ucfs-15-tuition-hike-approved-amid-intense-debate-over-college-costs/ |title=UCF's 15% tuition hike approved amid intense debate over college costs |date=June 21, 2012 |access-date=November 15, 2012 |work=Orlando Sentinel |archive-date=October 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028060223/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-06-21/features/os-florida-university-tuition-increases-20120621_1_tuition-increases-state-committee-state-university-system |url-status=live}} For the 2020–21 academic year, undergraduate tuition costs were $212.28 per credit hour for in-state students and $748.89 per credit hour for out-of-state students.{{cite web |url=http://tuitionfees.ikm.ucf.edu/ |title=Tuition and Fees |date=2015 |access-date=November 4, 2015 |publisher=University of Central Florida |archive-date=October 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029051500/http://tuitionfees.ikm.ucf.edu/ |url-status=live}}{{Update inline|date=January 2024}} Graduate tuition costs were $369.65 per credit hour for in-state students and $1,194.05 per credit hour for out-of-state students. Tuition for the medical school is $25,490 for both in-state and out-of-state students. Estimated annual cost for undergraduate students is $22,2849 for Florida residents and $38,949 for non-Florida residents. Expected costs for graduate students are $22,072 for in-state students and $38,878 for out-of-state students.{{cite web |url=http://finaid.ucf.edu/applying/app_costs.html |title=School Costs |access-date=November 15, 2012 |publisher=University of Central Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129104528/http://finaid.ucf.edu/applying/app_costs.html |archive-date=November 29, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}} About 8% of tuition fees are allocated to support the university's athletic programs.{{cite news |title=Tuition fees can support athletics: Use of money surprises some |publisher=Florida Today}}

UCF has over 400 registered student organizations,{{cite web | url=http://kort.getinvolveducf.com/kort_awards.pdf | title=Knights of the RoundTable 2008–2009 Registered Student Organization Awards | publisher=University of Central Florida Student Government Association | access-date=June 13, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023053344/http://kort.getinvolveducf.com/kort_awards.pdf | archive-date=October 23, 2015 | url-status=dead }} intramural sports, and an active Student Government Association. The university encourages student activism through organizations such as the Office of Student Involvement, the Multicultural Student Center, the Campus Activities Board, Volunteer UCF and Learning and Interacting with New Knights (LINK), an organization that fosters freshman involvement.

{{anchor|Spirit Splash}}

File:Spirit Splash.jpg

Spirit Splash is a homecoming tradition at UCF, and is traditionally the only time during the year that students are allowed into the Reflecting Pond. It has been named the best college tradition in Florida by Florida Leader magazine,{{cite web |url=http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=0024004107de59bdf0115d2e01442007c95 |title=Homecoming Kicks Off With Family-Friendly Carnival and 'Movie Knight' |date=October 24, 2007 |access-date=June 13, 2010 |publisher=University of Central Florida |archive-date=June 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100627151121/http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=0024004107de59bdf0115d2e01442007c95 |url-status=live }} and among "The 20 Best College Traditions" by Business Insider.{{cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/the-best-college-traditions-2014-7?op=1 |title=The 20 Best College Traditions In The US |date=July 7, 2014 |access-date=July 12, 2014 |work=Business Insider |archive-date=July 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140711142628/http://www.businessinsider.com/the-best-college-traditions-2014-7?op=1 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/genrel/110708aac.html |title=Spirit Splash Becoming One of the Best Homecoming Traditions in the Nation |access-date=April 14, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida Athletics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708212814/http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/genrel/110708aac.html |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

Spirit Splash occurs the Friday before the Homecoming game, and serves as a pep rally where students descend into the pond to demonstrate school spirit. Spirit Splash began in 1995 when then-Student Body President Miguel Torregrossa was pushed into the Reflecting Pond by one of his cabinet members and fellow students followed suit.{{cite web |url=https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/2.10660/homecoming-splashes-down-1.1420045 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708132806/https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/2.10660/homecoming-splashes-down-1.1420045 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |title=Central Florida Future – Homecoming splashes down |access-date=June 2, 2009 |work=Central Florida Future}} Along with the thousands of students who attend, there are members of the community, local dignitaries, alumni, children and even dogs who come to join in on the festivities.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} Knightro, the Marching Knights, cheerleaders, student athletes, and dancers all participate in the pep rally, usually followed by a concert. Spirit Splash was made possible in part by weight testing performed on the Reflecting Pond in preparation for President Richard Nixon's visit to the university to speak at its 1973 commencement. It was determined that the best way to protect the president would be to hold commencement in the pond itself, after being drained, so that Secret Service agents could be stationed on the roofs of the adjacent buildings.{{cite news |url=https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/2.10660/a-moment-of-reflection-at-the-pond-1.1428891 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708133048/https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/2.10660/a-moment-of-reflection-at-the-pond-1.1428891 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |title=A moment of reflection at the pond |access-date=July 28, 2009 |work=Central Florida Future}}

One of the newest traditions on the UCF campus pertains to the Pegasus seal in the center of the main floor of the Student Union. From their first day on campus for orientation, new students are told to never walk on the Pegasus.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} As the tradition is told, those who step on the seal will never graduate from UCF. Usually the seal is roped off with heavy black velvet ropes, but when the ropes are not in place, students can be seen carefully avoiding the seal. In 2005, Florida Leader magazine named this new tradition the best college superstition in Florida.{{cite news |url=http://www.floridaleader.com/best2005_Web-Only_1.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051018082953/http://floridaleader.com/best2005_Web-Only_1.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 18, 2005 |title=Best of Florida Schools 2005 |access-date=April 14, 2009 |work=Florida Leader }}

File:UCFPlazaTowers.JPG]]

The university currently houses over 12,000 on-campus students in eight different communities.{{cite web|url=http://www.fp.ucf.edu/mp2005/Data/housing.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040803235526/http://www.fp.ucf.edu/mp2005/Data/housing.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 3, 2004 |title=2.7 Housing: Data and Analysis |access-date=June 4, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida |df=mdy-all }} Residence hall style suites are available in the Libra, Apollo, Hercules, Nike, and Neptune communities. All of the residence hall suites have bathrooms shared between 2 or 3 rooms as opposed to communal bathrooms.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} Apartment-style housing is available in the Academic Village (Nike and Hercules) communities, the Towers at Knights Plaza, the Lake Claire Courtyard Apartments Community, and NorthView. UCF also has 400 beds at the Rosen College Apartments Community, located on the Rosen College of Hospitality Management campus.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} The majority of all on campus housing is occupied by freshman, though The Towers at Knights Plaza house mainly upper-classmen, student athletes, and honors students.{{cite web|url=http://www.housing.ucf.edu/choices/towers/interests/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100516110757/http://www.housing.ucf.edu/choices/towers/interests |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 16, 2010 |title=Towers at Knights Plaza |access-date=June 13, 2010 |publisher=UCF Housing and Residence Life |df=mdy-all }}{{Failed verification|date=January 2024}}{{cite web|url=http://www.housing.ucf.edu/choices/towers/interests/burnett/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100516143613/http://www.housing.ucf.edu/choices/towers/interests/burnett |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 16, 2010 |title=Housing and Residence Life : Towers at Knights Plaza |access-date=April 3, 2012 |publisher=University of Central Florida Department of Housing and Residence Life |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |url=http://www.uknightucf.com/index_display.php?category_id=54 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514172514/http://www.uknightucf.com/index_display.php?category_id=54 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 14, 2011 |title=Student Living : Towers at Knights Plaza |access-date=April 3, 2012 |publisher=University of Central Florida Athletics Association }} Residents of the Towers Communities and Rosen College Apartments sign annual contracts to rent their apartments for a full academic year (fall, spring, and summer), whereas residents of all other standard housing communities on the main campus sign academic contracts to rent their rooms only for one or two semesters at a time.{{cite web |url=http://www.housing.ucf.edu/costs/ |title=Rates |access-date=June 13, 2010 |publisher=UCF Housing and Residence Life |archive-date=June 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609053247/http://www.housing.ucf.edu/costs |url-status=live }} Housing on the main campus typically fills to capacity well before the start of the fall semester, and cannot accommodate everyone who applies.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

In addition, about 3,750 beds are available at the university-affiliated housing communities of Knights Circle and The Pointe at Central, which are off-campus apartment communities owned by The University of Central Florida Foundation, Inc.{{cite web|url=http://www.housing.ucf.edu/choices/ucfaffiliated/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824180834/http://www.housing.ucf.edu/choices/ucfaffiliated/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 24, 2010 |title=UCF Affiliated Housing |access-date=June 13, 2010 |publisher=UCF Housing and Residence Life |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web|url=http://www.fp.ucf.edu/mp2010/PDFs/2-7%20Housing%20_Data%20and%20Analysis_.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128035353/http://www.fp.ucf.edu/mp2010/PDFs/2-7%20Housing%20_Data%20and%20Analysis_.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 28, 2009 |title=2.7 Housing: Data and Analysis |access-date=June 13, 2010 |publisher=University of Central Florida |df=mdy-all }} and managed by Asset Living.{{cite web |url=http://www.assetcampushousing.com/portfolio |title=Our Portfolio |access-date=February 2, 2011 |publisher=Asset Campus Housing |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707175658/http://www.assetcampushousing.com/portfolio |url-status=dead }} These communities contain many UCF services such as Resident Assistants, UCF Police service, reduced rent and offer shuttle service to and from campus on class days.{{cite web|url=http://www.housing.ucf.edu/affiliated.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070516171758/http://www.housing.ucf.edu/affiliated.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 16, 2007 |title=Housing Communities – Affiliated Housing |access-date=July 28, 2009 |publisher=UCF Housing and Residence Life |df=mdy-all }} The university also administers NorthView, which is owned and operated by UCF and located directly north of the main campus in Oviedo. NorthView houses 600 students, and includes a Hillel Jewish Student Center, a Catholic Student Center, and a common space for other faith based organizations to use.{{cite web |url=http://www.northviewinfo.com/ |title=NorthView – A Unique Campus Community |access-date=April 3, 2012 |publisher=NorthView |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128155328/http://northviewinfo.com/ |archive-date=January 28, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

Greek housing is also available on the main campus in the Greek Park community, which consists of close to 500 beds.{{cite web|url=http://www.fp.ucf.edu/mp2010/PDFs/2-7%20Housing%20_Data%20and%20Analysis_.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128035353/http://www.fp.ucf.edu/mp2010/PDFs/2-7%20Housing%20_Data%20and%20Analysis_.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 28, 2009 |title=2.7 Housing: Data and Analysis |access-date=July 17, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida |df=mdy-all }} There are ten sororities and three fraternities housed on campus, with eleven fraternities offering housing off campus.

File:Front view of Recreation Center.jpg

Many different recreational organizations and facilities are available on the UCF campus. Lake Claire is an on-campus lake with canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats available for rent (free to UCF students), and a small beachfront.{{cite web |url=http://rwc.sdes.ucf.edu/facilities/lake-claire |title=Lake Claire |access-date=April 3, 2012 |publisher=University of Central Florida Student Government Association |archive-date=March 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304153240/http://rwc.sdes.ucf.edu/facilities/lake-claire |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://rwc.sdes.ucf.edu/about |title=UCF Recreation and Wellness Center: About |access-date=April 3, 2012 |publisher=University of Central Florida Student Government Association |archive-date=January 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115032157/http://rwc.sdes.ucf.edu/about |url-status=live }} In addition, UCF's Challenge Course is one of only five in the country to contain a high elements course.{{cite web |url=http://rwc.sdes.ucf.edu/programs/outdoor-adventure/challenge-course |title=UCF Recreation and Wellness Center: Challenge Course |access-date=October 28, 2007 |publisher=University of Central Florida Student Government Association |archive-date=May 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508184518/http://rwc.sdes.ucf.edu/programs/outdoor-adventure/challenge-course |url-status=live }}

UCF's main campus boasts the Recreation and Wellness Center and is located on the south side of campus, adjacent to the Academic Village. The center is open to all students, and paid memberships are available for non-students.{{cite news |url=https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/65-000-square-foot-expansion-pumps-gym-1.2431156 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722185841/https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/65-000-square-foot-expansion-pumps-gym-1.2431156 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 22, 2011 |title=65,000-square-foot expansion pumps gym |access-date=January 14, 2011 |work=Central Florida Future |first=Amethyst |last=Roth |date=January 12, 2011}} The Wellness Center offer programs to boost students' understanding of their health, provides discounted blood and STD testing, staffs certified personal trainers, and teaches methods to maintain good health.

The UCF Recreation and Wellness Center, which opened in 2002, is a {{convert|150000|sqft|m2}} building that comprises five programs: Intramural Sports, Sport Clubs, Outdoor Adventure, Fitness, and Aquatics.{{cite news |url=http://knightnews.com/2011/01/new-green-gym-expansion-officially-opens-its-doors-to-ucf-public/ |title=New "Green" Gym Expansion Officially Opens its Doors to UCF, Public |access-date=January 10, 2011 |publisher=KnightNews |date=January 10, 2011 |archive-date=January 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112174744/http://knightnews.com/2011/01/new-green-gym-expansion-officially-opens-its-doors-to-ucf-public/ |url-status=live }} The main recreation center includes a custom climbing wall with more than 20 different routes, as well as, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, a disc golf course, numerous intramural sports fields, a leisure pool, and an outdoor lap pool.{{cite web |url=http://rec.ucf.edu/Fmaps.htm |title=UCF Recreation and Wellness Center Facilities |access-date=October 28, 2007 |publisher=UCF Student Government Association |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827175139/http://www.rec.ucf.edu/Fmaps.htm |archive-date=August 27, 2007 }}

{{main|University of Central Florida Student Government}}

File:UCF Student Union Boardwalk.jpg

The University of Central Florida's Student Government (UCF SG) is an advocacy group for the students who attend the university, representing the university's approximately 70,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. It is the largest student government within the state of Florida and one of the largest in the United States.{{cite web | url=http://www.flbog.org/resources/_doc/factbooks/quickfacts/2009-SUSQuickFacts.xls | title=April 2009 headcount | publisher=Florida Board of Governors | access-date=June 13, 2010 | archive-date=October 30, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030123224/http://flbog.org/resources/_doc/factbooks/quickfacts/2009-SUSQuickFacts.xls | url-status=live }} UCF SG operates within a multimillion-dollar budget{{Quantify|date=January 2024}}.{{cite news | url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WtDmkV1NUCd3FGvIRspqNXYRnClQxiT2/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102613231474063637701&rtpof=true&sd=true | title=ASF Budget Committee Fiscal Bill 53-43 Budget Bill | publisher=University of Central Florida Student Government | access-date=August 8, 2022 | archive-date=August 8, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808090318/https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WtDmkV1NUCd3FGvIRspqNXYRnClQxiT2/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102613231474063637701&rtpof=true&sd=true | url-status=live }} It funds and operates five campus departments—the Recreation and Wellness Center, the Office of Student Involvement, Student Legal Services, the A&SF Business Office, and the Student Union—while also providing around $1 million in funding to nearly 600 registered student organizations.{{cite web | url=https://asfbudget.sdes.ucf.edu/report | title=ASF Budget Report | publisher=University of Central Florida ASF Financials | access-date=August 8, 2022 | archive-date=July 19, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719131536/https://asfbudget.sdes.ucf.edu/report | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://studentunion.ucf.edu/about/ | title=About Student Union UCF | publisher=University of Central Florida Student Union | access-date=August 8, 2022 | archive-date=September 20, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920163829/https://studentunion.ucf.edu/about/ | url-status=live }}

The university campus is served by The Pegasus Express which serves the 11 shuttle routes on-campus.{{Cite web|title=PEGASUS EXPRESS|url=https://parking.ucf.edu/transportation/intra-campus/|access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=ucf.edu|language=en-US}} The Central Florida Research Park, Rosen College of Hospitality, Health sciences campus, and the Downtown city campus are all served by the regional campus shuttles, which has 15 routes and covers 22 off-campus UCF apartment complexes as well.{{Cite web|title=Off-Campus Shuttles|url=https://parking.ucf.edu/transportation/off-campus/|access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=ucf.edu|language=en-US}}

KnightNews.com is the only digital student newspaper serving the UCF community, and it operates without oversight from the university administration.{{cite web |url=http://knightnews.com/about |title=KnightNews.com – About Us |access-date=November 11, 2016 |publisher=KnightNews.com |archive-date=October 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029032420/http://knightnews.com/about/ |url-status=live }} KnightNews.com won the College Press Freedom Award in 2016 for its work fighting for open government.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} A print newspaper, the Central Florida Future, was shut down in August 2016. The Future, which also ran without university oversight, was one of the largest student-run newspapers in the United States.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} It focused on campus and local news coverage, but also featured national and international stories. The university itself publishes two magazines, Centric and Pegasus. Centric is the official student magazine of the university, and Pegasus is the official university magazine.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

The university has operated WUCF-FM, a NPR station, since 1978. The station broadcasts Jazz that reaches Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake and Volusia counties in central Florida. They broadcast an Internet program that is heard worldwide.{{cite web |url=http://wucf.org/about.php |title=WUCF-FM – About Us |access-date=October 23, 2013 |publisher=WUCF.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014173121/http://wucf.org/about.php |archive-date=October 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} In 2011, the university purchased WUCF-TV, which is Central Florida's only Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) television station.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} As the region's sole PBS affiliate, the station broadcasts to an estimated population of 4.6 million people in its aerial viewing area.Combined populations of Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Brevard, Marion, Sumter, Flagler, Volusia, Putnam, Polk, Highlands, Okeechobee and Indian River counties according to the 2010 United States Census.{{cite web |title=WUCF-TV Q&A |url=http://www.wucf.org/ |publisher=WUCF |df=mdy-all |access-date=July 16, 2018 |archive-date=July 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716224224/http://www.wucf.org/ |url-status=live }}

One limited access program at UCF is the Jazz Studies program, which launched a professional recording label for the university, Flying Horse Records.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} The program's faculty group, The Jazz Professors, and their student group, The Flying Horse Big Band, have both issued professional recordings since 2011 for the university label.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life at The University of Central Florida is separated into five divisions: UCF Greek Council, Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Panhellenic Council, and the Diversified Greek Council.{{cite web |url=http://www.greeklife.sdes.ucf.edu/ |title=Housing Communities |access-date=July 28, 2009 |publisher=UCF Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090719120903/http://www.greeklife.sdes.ucf.edu/ |archive-date=July 19, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} The Order of Omega has a chapter at the university.{{cite web |url=http://www.greeklife.sdes.ucf.edu/order_of_omega.html |title=Order of Omega Greek Leadership Society |access-date=July 28, 2009 |publisher=UCF Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090622054252/http://www.greeklife.sdes.ucf.edu/order_of_omega.html |archive-date=June 22, 2009 }}

The Interfraternity Council (IFC) comprises 18 fraternities, and the Panhellenic Council is made up of 12 sororities.{{cite web |url=http://www.greeklife.sdes.ucf.edu/chapters.html |title=UCF Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life Chapter Directory |access-date=July 28, 2009 |publisher=UCF Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624234250/http://www.greeklife.sdes.ucf.edu/chapters.html |archive-date=June 24, 2009 }} In addition there are also many multicultural and honor Greek organizations. The Diversified Greek Council consists of 9 cultural organizations, four fraternities and five sororities. The National Pan-Hellenic Council comprises nine historically black organizations, five fraternities and four sororities. There are now also three recognized fraternal organizations for Christian students.{{cite web |url=http://kyxucf.com |title=Kappa Upsilon Chi – University of Central Florida |access-date=June 22, 2012 |publisher=WordPress |archive-date=July 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723125958/http://kyxucf.com/ |url-status=usurped }}{{cite web |url=http://www.ucfphilamb.com |title=Sigma Phi Lambda – UCF |access-date=June 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111064338/http://www.ucfphilamb.com/ |archive-date=January 11, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web|url=http://www.thetaalpha.org/delta/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203040456/http://www.thetaalpha.org/delta/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 3, 2011 |title=Theta Alpha – UCF |df=mdy-all }}

Greek life at the University of Central Florida involves more than 3,000 students in over 45 chapters.{{cite news | title = University of Central Florida | publisher = The Princeton Review | url = http://www.princetonreview.com/schools/college/CollegeCampusLife.aspx?iid=1022881 | access-date = April 30, 2009 | archive-date = April 14, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140414003439/http://www.princetonreview.com/schools/college/CollegeCampusLife.aspx?iid=1022881 | url-status = live }} Approximately 11% of current undergraduate males and 9% of undergraduate females are members of either a sorority or fraternity.{{cite web |url=http://collegeprowler.com/university-of-central-florida/greek-life/ |title=University of Central Florida – Greek Life |access-date=July 28, 2009 |publisher=College Prowler |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091223040743/http://collegeprowler.com/university-of-central-florida/greek-life/ |archive-date=December 23, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

The average GPA of Greek Life is higher than the overall university average.{{cite web |url=https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/2.10660/greek-point-average-1.1424729 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722185530/https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/2.10660/greek-point-average-1.1424729 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 22, 2011 |title=Greek point average |date= February 15, 2009 |access-date=June 13, 2010 |work=Central Florida Future}} UCF's Greek Life won the inaugural Mid-American Conference Grade Point Average Award{{When|date=January 2024}}, which is given to the university with the highest Greek GPA above their campus' non-Greek GPA.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

{{Main|UCF Knights}}The University of Central Florida features a large variety of intercollegiate athletics teams, known as the "UCF Knights", which compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and the Big 12 Conference (except for the men's soccer team which competes in the Sun Belt Conference).In football, UCF competes in the NCAA NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), still often referred to by its former designation of "Division I-A."{{cite web|url=http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/index-main.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070625234907/http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/index-main.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 25, 2007 |title=UCF Knights – Official Athletics Site |access-date=August 3, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida Athletics Association |df=mdy-all }}{{cite news |url=https://today.ucf.edu/its-official-ucf-to-join-big-east-conference/ |title=It's Official! UCF Joins Big East Conference |publisher=University of Central Florida |date=December 7, 2011 |access-date=December 7, 2011 |archive-date=January 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108023829/http://today.ucf.edu/its-official-ucf-to-join-big-east-conference/ |url-status=live }}

UCF fields 15 varsity teams, 6 men, and 9 women. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, and tennis. Women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, rowing, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.{{cite web |url=https://www.ncaa.com/schools/128_UCF.html |title=NCAA.com – The Official Web Site of the NCAA – UCF |access-date=August 3, 2009 |publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association |archive-date=January 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116085041/http://www.ncaa.com/schools/128_UCF.html |url-status=live }}

File:FBC Mortgage Stadium (2023).jpg

The Knights varsity teams have won numerous{{Quantify|date=January 2024}} conference titles, and two national titles.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} UCF, as members of Conference USA (CUSA) between 2005 and 2013, were conference champions in football in 2007 and 2010, and women's basketball in 2009 and 2010. The women's volleyball team won the AIAW Small College Division national championship in 1978 (at the time the women's sports equivalent of NCAA Division II; the NCAA did not sanction women's sports until the 1980s), and the men's basketball team reached the Division II Elite Eight the same year.{{cite web |url=http://www.ucftv.ucf.edu/shows/ucf_sportsknight/archive_2008.asp |title=UCF SportsKnight 2008 Archive |publisher=University of Central Florida |access-date=December 10, 2011}}{{dead link|date=January 2017}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ucfathletics.com/genrel/053007aaa.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130217005647/http://www.ucfathletics.com/genrel/053007aaa.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=February 17, 2013 |title=FTU's Early Athletics Programs; UCF First Champions |publisher=University of Central Florida Athletics Association |access-date=January 3, 2013 }} The Knights only other national championship was in 2017, when they were named national champions in football by the Colley Matrix. While they did not play in that season's College Football Playoff, they finished the 2017 season unbeaten; all other selectors named Alabama as the 2017 national champion. The Colley Matrix was the only one out of over 40 NCAA-recognized selectors to name UCF the national champions. As none of these national titles were awarded by the NCAA, this makes UCF one of only four schools in a power conference to never win an NCAA title.{{efn|The others are Kansas State, Pittsburgh, and Virginia Tech. Pitt has claims to multiple football titles, and was retroactively awarded two national championships in men's basketball predating the NCAA tournament by the Helms Athletic Foundation.}}

The UCF cheerleading team, which is a club sport, has also captured national titles. They have won three at the College Cheerleading and Dance Team Nationals, in 2003, 2007, 2020 and 2024.{{cite web|title=C-USA Official Athletic Site – Championships|url=http://conferenceusa.cstv.com/championships/09-w-baskbl-championship.html|access-date=August 3, 2009|publisher=Conference USA|archive-date=April 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418180649/http://conferenceusa.cstv.com/championships/09-w-baskbl-championship.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=January 20, 2008|title=UCF Cheerleaders Finish Third at National Finals|url=http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=0024004148c58c660117815a3ee9007ec1|access-date=August 3, 2009|publisher=University of Central Florida|archive-date=June 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100624125603/http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=0024004148c58c660117815a3ee9007ec1|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://ucfknights.com/news/2020/1/20/cheer-dance-ucf-cheer-wins-division-ia-national-championship.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331224549/https://ucfknights.com/news/2020/1/20/cheer-dance-ucf-cheer-wins-division-ia-national-championship.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 31, 2023|title=UCF Cheer Wins Division IA National Championship - UCF Athletics|website=ucfknights.com}} As the reigning national champions, the cheerleading team was followed by WE tv's cheerleading show, Cheerleader U in 2008.{{cite web |url=http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/genrel/022608aad.html |title=CheerleaderU |access-date=July 28, 2008 |publisher=University of Central Florida Athletics Association |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080621183740/http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/genrel/022608aad.html |archive-date=June 21, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

The UCF varsity athletic program began during the 1969–70 academic year. Then known as the "Florida Technological University Knights of Pegasus", the university was a charter member of the Sunshine State Conference in 1975.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} Since the 1970s, the UCF athletic programs have become a major competitor in college athletics.{{According to whom|date=January 2024}} Their development culminated in the mid-2000s, when the Knights joined C-USA in 2005 and debuted a new athletic village in 2007. Advertised as "Bringing the Knights home", the newly developed athletic village on the north end of campus known as Knights Plaza, consisted of a new 10,000-seat indoor sports venue now known as Addition Financial Arena, the new 45,000-seat football stadium known as FBC Mortgage Stadium, a new softball complex, and the first Division I indoor football practice facility in the state.{{cite web |url=http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/fieldhouse-photos.html |title=Nicholson Fieldhouse |access-date=August 3, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida Athletics Association |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326110050/http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/fieldhouse-photos.html |archive-date=March 26, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} The debut of the athletic village made UCF the first university to ever open a new football stadium and basketball arena during the same year.{{cite web|url=http://ucfarena.com/ccupdate.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070928032933/http://ucfarena.com/ccupdate.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 28, 2007 |title=Convocation Center Update |access-date=January 23, 2013 |publisher=CFE Arena |df=mdy-all }} The athletic complex surrounding Knights Plaza also includes Jay Bergman Field, the UCF Soccer and Track Stadium and numerous practice facilities. To coincide with the opening of the athletic village, the university also debuted new athletic logos and an update to mascot Knightro.{{cite web |url=http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/genrel/050407abn.html |title=UCF Athletics Reveals New Logo and Font |access-date=August 3, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida Athletics Association |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111110933/http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/genrel/050407abn.html |archive-date=January 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

The Knights football program began in 1979. UCF competed in the playoffs three times before ascending to the FBS level in 1996.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} The Knights have won two conference championships and four division titles. In UCF's first year in CUSA, the team experienced the fourth-best turnaround in NCAA history by winning the conference's eastern division and earning its first bowl berth in the 4th Annual Hawai'i Bowl.{{cite web|url=http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=00240041070ca5e3e010b382c8adf007ac7 |title=UCF Football Coach O'Leary Signs 10-Year Contract Extension |date=May 25, 2006 |publisher=University of Central Florida Athletics Association |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901144712/http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=00240041070ca5e3e010b382c8adf007ac7 |archive-date=September 1, 2006 |access-date=April 15, 2017 }} Celebrating their inaugural year in their new on-campus stadium, the 2007 UCF Football team won the CUSA Championship for the first time in the school's history and the eastern division for the second time in three seasons, securing a berth to the school's second bowl game, the 49th Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl. During the 2010 season, for the first time in school history, the Knights garnered national rankings, finishing the season with a top–20 ranking.{{cite news|url=http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_ucf/2010/11/ucf-ranked-no-23-in-coaches-poll-vaulting-into-top-25-for-first-time-in-school-history.html |title=UCF ranked No. 23 in coaches poll and No. 25 in AP, vaulting into Top 25 for first time in school history |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=November 7, 2010 |access-date=November 7, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101109190154/http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_ucf/2010/11/ucf-ranked-no-23-in-coaches-poll-vaulting-into-top-25-for-first-time-in-school-history.html |archive-date=November 9, 2010 }}{{cite news |url=http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_ucf/2010/12/ucf-ranked-no-25-in-final-bcs-standings.html |title=UCF ranked No. 25 in final BCS standings |author=Limón, Iliana |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=December 6, 2010 |access-date=December 6, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210070436/http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_ucf/2010/12/ucf-ranked-no-25-in-final-bcs-standings.html |archive-date=December 10, 2010 |df=mdy-all }} The Knights won the 2010 CUSA Championship game, securing a berth to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in which the team earned their first-ever bowl victory, a 10–6 win over Georgia.{{cite web |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=303382116 |title=UCF defeats SMU for Conference USA 2010 Title |publisher=ESPN |date=December 4, 2010 |access-date=December 4, 2010 |archive-date=December 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207094257/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=303382116 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=303652116 |title=UCF caps best season in school history with bowl win |publisher=ESPN |date=December 31, 2010 |access-date=December 31, 2010 |archive-date=January 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102174756/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=303652116 |url-status=dead }} In 2013, the Knights joined the American Athletic Conference (AAC) as a full member, won the conference's inaugural football championship, and upset the sixth-ranked Big 12 Conference champion Baylor Bears in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl. In 2017, the Knights finished with the only undefeated season in the FBS after a third AAC Championship win and a victory over the eighth-ranked Auburn Tigers in the 2018 Peach Bowl.

The UCF men's basketball team started in 1969 under head coach Torchy Clark. The Knights have advanced to the NCAA tournament ten times (four of which as members of Division I), including a trip to the Division II Final Four in 1978. The program has won seven conference regular-season championships and five conference tournament titles.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} The 2008–09 UCF men's team featured senior Jermaine Taylor, who was one of the nation's top scorers averaging over 20 points per game.{{cite web |url=http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/taylor_jermaine00.html |title=Player Bio: Jermaine Taylor – UCF Official Athletic Site |access-date=August 3, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida Athletics Association |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090722032230/http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/taylor_jermaine00.html |archive-date=July 22, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Following a 10–0 start to the 2010–11 season, and being one of nine unbeaten teams, the Knights led by coach Donnie Jones and guard Marcus Jordan were nationally ranked for the first time in program history.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/news/story?id=6054589 |title=UCF Knights have potential to become elite |date=January 26, 2011 |access-date=April 3, 2012 |publisher=ESPN |archive-date=July 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730002241/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=6054589 |url-status=live }} In the 2016-17 season, newly hired head coach Johnny Dawkins took the Knights to a semi-final berth in the NIT for the first time in school history.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} UCF was a layup away from advancing to the Sweet Sixteen and beating Duke, the consensus number-one seed, in the 2019 NCAA tournament, as Coach Dawkins, with his son on the team, faced off against his own previous coach, Mike Krzyzewski.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

The Knights main rival is the University of South Florida Bulls, with whom they share the War on I-4.{{Cite web |date=2016-09-21 |title=UCF, USF Establish War on I-4 Rivalry Series {{!}} Orlando News |url=https://www.ucf.edu/news/ucf-usf-establish-war-4-rivalry-series/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=University of Central Florida News {{!}} UCF Today |language=en-us}}

{{See also|List of University of Central Florida alumni}}

{{multiple image

| align = right

| header =

| header_align = center

| width = 165

| image1 = Nicole Stott v2.jpg

| caption1 = Nicole Stott

| image2 = Fernando Caldeiro.jpg

| caption2 = Fernando Caldeiro

}}

Graduates include a former prime minister of Libya, a Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, a United States assistant secretary of state, a Deputy assistant secretary at the Department of the Treasury, a Director of the National Reconnaissance Office, and a Director of the Secret Service;{{Who|date=January 2025}} in addition many members of the Florida Cabinet, Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate, two National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronauts, along with various NASA leadership positions.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} Many officers in the armed forces have come through the Army and Air Force ROTC programs, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Officer Candidate School, Air Force Officer Training School, Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School and Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class.{{cite web|url=http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/ot/ucf-famous-alumni.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208230333/http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/ot/ucf-famous-alumni.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 8, 2007 |title=UCF Alumni and Students |access-date=August 21, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida Athletics Association |df=mdy-all }}{{cite news |url=https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/military-research-building-started-1.1773456 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708133144/https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/military-research-building-started-1.1773456 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |title=Military research building started |date = July 12, 2007 |access-date=July 28, 2009 |work=Central Florida Future}}{{cite news |url=https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/2.10679/rotc-gaining-in-popularity-1.1434425 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708133150/https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/2.10679/rotc-gaining-in-popularity-1.1434425 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |title=ROTC gaining in popularity |date = February 15, 2009 |access-date=October 5, 2009 |work=Central Florida Future}}{{cite web |url=https://today.ucf.edu/student-veterans-embraced-by-military-friendly-ucf/ |title=Student Veterans Embraced by 'Military Friendly' UCF |access-date=October 11, 2010 |date=September 10, 2010 |publisher=University of Central Florida |archive-date=October 13, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101013110103/http://today.ucf.edu/student-veterans-embraced-by-military-friendly-ucf/ |url-status=live }} UCF graduates have held leadership positions in the United States Congress, United States Department of Defense, Army Corps of Engineers, and the Environmental Protection Agency.{{cite web |url=http://www.ucfathletics.com/genrel/hansonphd_jgreg00.html |title=J. Greg Hanson, Ph.D. – Chief Information Officer of the United States Senate |access-date=June 24, 2014 |publisher=University of Central Florida |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307093638/http://www.ucfathletics.com/genrel/hansonphd_jgreg00.html |archive-date=March 7, 2013 |url-status=usurped |df=mdy-all }}

Alumni have also achieved success as executives for many Fortune 500 companies, including Google, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Busch Entertainment Corporation, Harris Corporation, Darden Restaurants, Ericsson, the Orlando Magic and Texas Rangers, Sun Sports and Fox Sports Florida, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and Yahoo!.{{cite web |url=https://www.ucf.edu/pegasus/why-alan-eustace-jumped/ |title=Why I Jumped |access-date=May 30, 2024 |date= |publisher=University of Central Florida}}

{{Main|List of University of Central Florida faculty and administrators}}

The faculty at UCF includes a number of notable and prestigious members, including two former United States ambassadors (Harriet Elam-Thomas and Ulric Haynes), a former United States congressman (Louis Frey Jr.), a former vice president of Walt Disney Creative Entertainment (Ron Logan), and a former Davis Cup tennis player (Kareem Al Allaf),[https://ucfknights.com/staff/kareem-allaf "Kareem Allaf,"] ucfknights.com. to name a few.{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}} Other faculty include winners of the Pulitzer Prize and Janet Heidinger Kafka Prize, the developer of the Flesch–Kincaid readability tests, and the authors of the Mathematical Circles and Political Analysis series.{{cite news |url=https://extranet.cst.ucf.edu/phonebook/ |title=UCF Faculty Directory |access-date=July 31, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407081502/https://extranet.cst.ucf.edu/phonebook/ |url-status=live }} As a result of the work of professors and the Florida Space Institute, UCF will become the first Florida university to lead a NASA mission.{{cite news |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2013/04/12/ucf-receives-55-million-grant-from-nasa/ |title=UCF receives $55 million grant from NASA |date=April 12, 2013 |access-date=June 24, 2014 |work=Orlando Sentinel |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812030407/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-04-12/features/os-ucf-nasa-55-million-grant-20130412_1_space-weather-florida-space-institute-space-research |url-status=live }}{{When|date=January 2025}}

{{Portal|Education|Florida}}

• Greater Orlando
• State University System of Florida

{{Reflist|group="note"}}

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons}}

• {{official website|https://www.ucf.edu/}}
• [https://ucfknights.com/ UCF Knights website]

{{University of Central Florida}}

{{Navboxes

| titlestyle = background: black; color: white; border: 2px solid #FFC904

| list1 =

{{Big 12 Conference navbox}}

{{Metro Orlando}}

{{State University System of Florida}}

{{Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities}}

{{Southeastern Universities Research Association}}

{{Largest United States universities by enrollment}}

{{Largest United States universities by undergraduate enrollment}}

}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Central Florida, University Of}}

Category:1963 establishments in Florida

Category:Universities and colleges established in 1963

Category:Universities and colleges in Orange County, Florida

University of Central Flolrida

Category:Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Category:Robert A. M. Stern buildings