The most recent Hurricane Irma updates are available at www.ucf.edu/alert
Updated at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12.
When will classes resume at UCF?
Classes will resume Monday, Sept. 18. Work for faculty and staff will resume Friday, Sept. 15.
Essential university employees may be required to work while the university is closed. Please discuss your schedule with your supervisor.
What goes into making a decision to shut down campus?
It’s not something we take lightly. Closing campus disrupts academics, it prevents certain employees from getting paid and interrupts university business. Of course safety is the priority, but there are a lot of factors to consider. We made the decision to cancel classes and close the university to give our community plenty of time to prepare and evacuate if they choose.
Will academic assignment due dates be enforced?
The closure affects all classes, including those conducted online. Students with specific questions should reach out to their faculty members.
Where should students go?
Students who live on campus were required to move to safe off-campus locations by noon on Friday, Sept. 8.
With Hurricane Irma threatening Central Florida, students who live on campus and do not evacuate to safe, off-campus locations will be required to relocate to designated ride-out locations.
Students who live on-campus and have not evacuated will be required to move into a campus ride-out location by 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9.
Ride-out locations will open at 2 p.m. Saturday. Shuttle service will be provided to and from the ride-out locations. Students must be checked in no later than 6 p.m. Saturday.
The ride-out locations are determined by residence hall and will be as follows:
UCF students who live off campus and prefer to relocate to an on-campus ride-out location for the storm can come to the Nicholson School of Communication. Students must enter campus via University Boulevard and be prepared to show their ID. Parking is available in Garage A.
Students with ID must arrive at the Nicholson School by 10 p.m. Saturday. No families, friends or non-service animals are permitted.
A limited number of spaces is available due to a smaller-than-expected turnout of on-campus and affiliated housing residents.
We cannot guarantee comforts such as power, water, food and medical assistance. Students should pack enough water, food, medication, etc. to sustain them for at least 72 hours. Students also should bring practical comforts such as pillows, blankets, games, cell phone chargers, etc.
More details about ride-out locations are available here [1].
What will be available at the ride-out locations?
Not much besides a roof over your heads. We can’t guarantee power, water or food. That’s why we recommend that students get out while there is time and find a safe, comfortable place to stay. Students who go to ride out locations will need to bring their own water, food, pillows, blankets and other necessities.
What about UCF’s other campus locations?
The closure includes the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Health Sciences at Lake Nona campus and Center for Emerging Media in downtown Orlando, all of which follow main campus closure protocols.
All UCF regional campuses are closed through Monday, In addition:
Cocoa and Palm Bay (Eastern Florida State College) is closed through Wednesday
Sanford/Lake Mary (Seminole State College), Daytona Beach (Daytona State College) and Ocala (College of Central Florida) are closed through Tuesday
Will UCF be a shelter location?
UCF does not serve as a public shelter during hurricanes.
What should students be prepared to bring to ride-out locations?
During a storm like Irma, the university cannot guarantee that power and water won’t be interrupted at ride-out locations. Additionally, food, water and medical assistance will be limited.
Students should pack enough water, food, medication, etc. to sustain them for at least 72 hours. Students also should bring practical comforts such as pillows, blankets, games, cell phone chargers, etc.
Will students be allowed to leave their vehicles on campus?
Students who live on campus may leave their vehicle parked on campus as their permit allows. Students from off-campus who will ride out the storm on campus also are permitted to have their vehicles on campus. See here for more information about parking: https://www.ucf.edu/news/hurricane-irma-parking-campus/ [2]
What are the food options on campus during this time?
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Will police and medical personnel be available during the storm?
Wind speed will eventually prevent police, fire and medical from responding. That’s why it’s so important for people to stock up on their medication, build a hurricane kit, and do what they need to do now to ensure their personal safety.
Will counseling and health services be available to students?
Yes, Counseling and Psychological Services’ 24/7 crisis line can be reached at 407-823-2811. CAPS’ office will be open until 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7.
Student Health Services not offer services Friday through Monday. Students with non-urgent health concerns may also call at any time the 24 Hour Nurse Line (855-870-3647).
What about employees?
Employees who are having concerns or anxiety related to the weather or who are in emotional crisis can contact UCF’s Employee Assistance Program, HealthAdvocate, for assistance. Eligible employees and their dependents can receive free, confidential assistance anytime 24/7 by calling 877-240-6863.
Will shuttles be running?
Shuttles will be available to take students to the Publix Super Market located at the University Palms Shopping Center from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7. More information about the grocery shuttles is available here [3].
No other shuttle routes will be available.
How do I sign up to receive UCF Alerts?
All students and faculty and staff members are automatically enrolled to receive UCF Alert text and email messages.
To update contact information, login in to your myUCF account at www.my.ucf.edu [4]. Click on Student or Employee Self Service on the left-hand side. Under Personal Information, click on UCF Alert. Fill in the required information and click save.
UCF students and employees also may add secondary email accounts.
When will campus reopen?
UCF will remain closed through Tuesday, Sept. 12. We will assess safely reopening campus as we get a better sense of the storm’s impact.
What must happen before campus reopens?
UCF will have damage assessment teams staged on campus riding out the storm so they can immediately begin to do their jobs once it is safe to. We will begin reopening campus as roads and facilities are declared safe. Continue to check your email and UCF’s social media accounts, and you will hear from us.
How can I help?
Florida Governor Rick Scott is urging all Floridians to consider becoming a certified American Red Cross Disaster Services volunteer to help in response to Hurricane Irma. Thousands of volunteers are needed to assist in or operate shelters in response to Hurricane Irma’s impacts and preparation. You may sign up to volunteer at https://www.volunteerflorida.org/ [5].
Please remember your safety and the safety of your family needs to be your primary concern.