Hundreds of USF St. Petersburg students have moved into residential student housing, the largest number in the history of the university.

The move-in marks the opening of the new University Student Center, a $21 million facility expected to quickly become the main gathering spot on campus. It represents a significant step in the evolution of USFSP toward a more traditional residential campus.

Nearly 650 students will live in university housing this year. Both residence halls are full, and dozens of students will move into university-controlled rooms at the Bayfront Hilton near campus, complete with student resident assistants. This is the third consecutive year the Hilton has accommodated the increased demand for student housing at USFSP.

The University Student Center (USC) also has a modern dining hall called The Reef, offering USFSP’s first full-service meal plans; a game room on the first floor and student lounges in the residential tower; two outdoor basketball courts; and event/meeting space on the second floor. The student residence rooms have views of the downtown St. Petersburg skyline and Tampa Bay.

The USC was financed largely by a fee the students supported and the Legislature approved, along with revenue generated by room-and-board fees.

The freshman class of 2016 will number about 700, a record for USFSP.