HURRICANE IAN UPDATES

HURRICANE IAN UPDATES
Update at 2:00 pm, Saturday, oct. 1

An update from student affairs

Students,

Classes will resume on Monday, Oct. 3. As we continue the fall semester, please note that we will follow a revised common exam schedule. Namely, courses with exams scheduled for last week will be held this week. Faculty will communicate course updates through Canvas.

Our campus community includes many students and families from areas that have been affected by this hurricane. Any student who has a particular circumstance directly related to hurricane recovery and which impacts or limits your ability to meet your academic obligations, please contact Student Affairs for support. Please, remember that while the hurricane has affected much of Florida, the campus and residence halls are fully operational and safe. If you have circumstances or concerns related to the hurricane, contact Student Affairs at studentaffairs@floridapoly.edu or call 863-874-8640.  

For those traveling back to campus, please travel wisely. You can check FL511 for information on road closures.

Students also are reminded that 24/7 support is available from a mental health professional by calling 800-878-5470.

Dr. Miller

Update at 4:00 pm, FRIDAY, Sept. 30

All,

Hurricane Ian caused devastation to many parts of Florida, and our thoughts are with those living in communities that were deeply affected by the storm. Many of our students and employees are originally from these areas, and we are hopeful your loved ones are safe.

Here in Polk County, many people are still cleaning up after the storm and waiting for power to be restored. I hope that every Phoenix’s efforts are going well and that you have the assistance you need.

Cleanup is continuing on our campus as well. Our emergency management team also continues to meet and has determined the University will be ready to return to our normal operations on Monday morning.

Students, if you left campus before the storm, please do not plan to return before Sunday.

This is a very difficult time for all of us, and it has caused a lot of stress and worry for many students and employees. If you need mental health support, services are available to help.

Students, please contact Care Services at care@floridapoly.edu for support. You can also call 800-878-5470 to be immediately connected to a mental health professional.

Employees, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to offer support during this stressful period. Phone or video counseling can be accessed using smartphones, tablets, and computers with a camera. The BayCare EAP may be contacted by email or call 800-878-5470.

Please be mindful that our return plan is subject to change. It’s important to continue monitoring your University email and Florida Poly’s website and social media for updates and information as we return to normal operations.

See you Monday,

Randy

Update at 3:30 pm, Thursday, Sept. 29

All,

Now that Hurricane Ian has left our area, we are assessing our campus for damages and cleanup needs. Our plan remains the same as was announced yesterday. The emergency management team will begin cleanup today, continuing through the weekend, and we will be back to full, regular operations on Monday.

At this time, the residence halls have power, and food service will continue to be provided to students on campus.

For your safety and the safety of those working to clean up campus, please do not plan to return until Sunday if you left before the storm.

Our emergency management team meets daily, and we will continue providing you with guidance and details as they become available. Please continue monitoring your University email and Florida Poly’s website and social media for updates and information as we return to normal operations.

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone back on campus Monday.

Stay safe,

Randy

Update at 3:00 pm, Wednesday, Sept. 28
 
We hope each of you is prepared for the arrival of Hurricane Ian, the effects of which will increase in our University’s area throughout this afternoon and night. As the storm nears Polk County, Florida Poly’s emergency management team remains in constant communication and is meeting daily while we closely monitor the storm.
The next 36 hours will be the most critical as the storm moves past us.
 
Please remain indoors and do all you can to protect your personal safety.
The safety of all our students and employees is our top priority. If you have not already done so, please sign up for Florida Poly Alerts, which is our primary channel for emergency communication. Please also continue monitoring your University email and Florida Poly’s website and social media for updates and information about the storm.
 
Update at 5:15 pm, Tuesday, Sept. 27

Email sent to residential students from Student Affairs.

For those remaining on campus and sheltering in place this week, please be advised that Dining Services has updated its hours of operation and plans for meals for Wednesday and Thursday.

Tonight (9/27), dinner will be served in the main dining center in Wellness until 6 p.m. Make sure to grab dinner tonight!

Tonight (9/27), residents should go to Fire + Ash from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. to pick up the following:

  1. Breakfast for tomorrow (9/28)
  2. Lunch for tomorrow (9/28)
  3. Dinner for tomorrow (9/28)
  4. Breakfast for Thursday (9/29)

Also, tonight (9/27), stop by the Phase 2 common area for some pizza! We will also have leftover meals for Wednesday and breakfast for Thursday for those who do not stop by Fire + Ash tonight.

At 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Wednesday (9/28) and Thursday (9/29), stop by your building’s first floor common area to grab some snacks.

Dining is monitoring weather conditions and patterns for Thursday (9/29). Residents remaining on campus will receive information tomorrow (9/28) regarding Thursday’s meals.

Update at 2:30 pm, Tuesday, Sept. 27

The Florida Poly emergency management team continues to closely track the approach of Hurricane Ian, and we are in close contact with local and state emergency officials as the storm unfolds.

The most recent forecasts predict tropical storm-force winds to arrive in our area early tomorrow morning. As the hurricane nears, the weather conditions are expected to deteriorate through Thursday morning and afternoon, when the storm is expected to be over Polk County.

Campus operations are proceeding as announced in yesterday afternoon’s communication. If you have already left campus, please do not plan on returning until the campus has reopened and you have received the all-clear message.

Our emergency management team meets daily, and we will continue providing you with guidance and details as they become available. If you have not already done so, please sign up for Florida Poly Alerts, which is our primary channel for emergency communication. Please also continue monitoring your University email and Florida Poly’s website and social media for updates and information about the storm.

Update at 6:15 pm, Monday, Sept. 26

Email sent to residential students from Student Affairs.

Classes & University Closures

  • Classes will be canceled from Tuesday, Sept. 27 – Friday, Sept. 30.
  • The University will be closed Wednesday, Sept. 28 – Thursday, Sept. 29.

Residence Halls

  • The residence halls will remain open throughout the week.
  • All residential students must inform their RA of what their plans are – are you staying on campus during the storm or are you returning home? Please make sure to inform your RA of your plans as soon as possible.
  • If you decide to leave campus, take your valuables, approved pets, and refrigerated and frozen food with you.
  • If you choose to remain on campus during the duration of the storm, please be sure to purchase and supply yourself with the proper necessities before it arrives. View the Hurricane Preparedness Checklist for necessities to purchase in advance.
  • Residential Life will provide “snack periods” for residential students on Wednesday and Thursday at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., where students can grab a snack from the Phase 1 or Phase 2 common area. Please note, these snacks are non-perishable, are not a replacement for meals, and are meant to be given out in case of a power outage and when students cannot pick up meals from the Wellness Center due to extreme weather conditions. We will need to ensure all residents remaining on campus have the opportunity to receive snacks.
  • Stay indoors during the duration of the storm. If the eye of the hurricane passes through the area, continue to stay indoors unless it is absolutely necessary to leave.
  • If the electricity goes off, turn off or unplug all hazardous appliances. (i.e., iron, curling irons, blow-dryers, etc.). Candles or other flame-type lighting are not allowed under any circumstance. Please be aware that emergency building lights, elevator service, and fire safety devices will become inactive. Do not attempt to use the elevators. Do not attempt to travel between floors, but if you must, please use the stairs. Take necessary precautions.
  • Residential students who choose to remain on campus during the storm must continue to watch their Florida Poly email carefully as well as internal residence hall communications. 

Dining

  • Food will be available to residential students this week. The Wellness Center Dining Hall will remain open as long as the building maintains electricity and weather conditions are safe.
  • All retail locations will be closed Tuesday, Sept. 27 – Sunday, Oct. 2.
  • Please make note of Dining’s hours of operation for this week:
    • Tuesday, Sept. 27
      • Regular hours of operations for breakfast and lunch
      • Dinner will be from 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
    • Wednesday, Sept. 28
      • Meal pick-up in the lobby of Wellness Center
      • Breakfast: 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
      • Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
      • Dinner: 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
    • Thursday, Sept. 29
      • Meal pick-up in the lobby of Wellness Center
      • Breakfast: 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
      • Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
      • Dinner: 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
    • Friday, Sept. 30
      • Meal pick-up in the lobby of Wellness Center
      • Breakfast: 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
      • Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
      • Dinner: 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
    • Saturday, Oct. 1
      • Meal pick-up in the lobby of Wellness Center
      • Breakfast: 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
      • Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
      • Dinner: 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
    • Contingencies for food and water are in place if weather conditions are not safe to move between buildings.
    • Depending on conditions of the campus, this plan may be updated, and communication will be sent to residential students for updates.

On-Call Services & Student Support Services

  • In case of an emergency, always call 911.
  • Residential Life staff will remain on-call throughout the week and will be present within the residence halls. In case of an emergency or concern, please contact the RA on-call for your respective building (Phase 1: 863-398-9348 | Phase 2: 863-209-5989).
  • University Police will also remain on campus throughout the week. You can contact University Police at 863-874-8472 (select option #2).
  • If you are in need of mental health services, please contact our free and confidential 24-hour BayCare Student Assistance Program at 800-878-5470.
  • All accidents, injuries, broken windows, damage to the property, or excessive water must be reported to the on-call Resident Assistant (RA). Repairs will be assessed and addressed by the Student Living (Leasing) team when it is safe to do so.

 Hurricane Preparedness

  • The Student Living (Leasing) team will prepare the community in anticipation of possible hurricane landfall. We strongly recommend that you also take proper precautions in accordance with recommendations and instructions from the local authorities and the University.
  • During this time, it is important that you comply with recommendations and instructions issued by the local authorities and the University. As a result, Student Living may be unable to access the community, so you will need to be prepared to go several days without the assistance of Student Living’s management and maintenance team. In addition, Student Living reserves the right to remove all items from your refrigerator in the instance of a power outage and if power is not restored in a timely manner, if necessary, in an effort to prevent further damage.
  • It is important to remember that hurricanes and all associated weather and tidal conditions are natural disasters. Neither Student Living nor the University can be responsible for any resulting property damage, interruption of utilities/services, or bodily injury.
  • Listen to the County Warning System on the radio. Do exactly as advised. Make plans to relocate outside of the affected area. If the County Warning System requires relocation, do so early to avoid traffic jams and dangerous winds. Be sure to take necessities such as prescriptions, bedding, enough food for 24 hours, flashlights, and a battery-powered radio
  • Make sure to close all windows and blinds. Do not attempt to open windows or doors to see what is happening outside during the storm or hurricane.
  • As a reminder, the contents of students’ units and rooms are not covered by the Student Living or University insurance, and Student Living and the University cannot assume responsibility for any loss of, or damage to, personal property. Check your renter's insurance or your family homeowner’s policy for coverage.

We recommend that you take every precautionary measure to remain safe during this time. Please stay tuned to your local news station.

If you have not already done so, please sign up for Florida Poly Alerts, which is our primary channel for emergency communication. Please also continue monitoring your university email and Florida Poly’s website and social media for updates and information about the storm.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email Student Affairs.

Update at 2:40 pm, Monday, Sept. 26

Florida Poly’s emergency management team continues to watch very closely as Hurricane Ian approaches the state. According to the most recent forecasts, we may begin experiencing the first effects of the storm by Tuesday night. While its exact path can still shift, we have made some decisions that will affect our entire campus.

  • Classes will be canceled from Tuesday, Sept. 27 through Friday, Sept 30.
  • The University will be closed Wednesday, Sept. 28 and Thursday, Sept. 29.
  • Employees who have the ability to work from home on Tuesday, Sept. 27 and Friday, Sept. 30 should do so. However, many positions are critical to the ongoing operations of campus and may need to report to work Wednesday and Thursday.  All employees should check with your supervisor first. 
  • The residence halls will remain open throughout the week and food will be available to campus residents.
  • Residential students who choose to remain on campus during the storm must continue to watch their Florida Poly email carefully as well as internal resident hall communications. 

If you have not already done so, please sign up for Florida Poly Alerts, which is our primary channel for emergency communication. Please also continue monitoring your University email and Florida Poly’s website and social media for updates and information about the storm.

If you have questions that have not been addressed here:

We will continue to update you as we have more information or guidance.

Update at 6:32 pm, Friday, Sept. 23

We are closely monitoring the path of Tropical Depression Nine as it continues its approach toward Florida. Predicting the path of storms can never be certain, but we are working to ensure our campus is ready in the event we experience its effects.

At this time, there are no changes to class schedules and the University will continue its regular operations. However, the safety of our University community is our absolute priority and things may change quickly. Please be sure to pay close attention to your email for any updates, as well as our website, floridapoly.edu, and our social media channels 

If you have not already done so, please sign up for Florida Poly Alerts, which is our primary channel for emergency communication. The Florida Poly email is used as a follow-up to the emergency alerts. It’s also a good idea to double-check your hurricane preparedness plan. The National Weather Service has a resource page that provides tips on how to plan and be safe during a hurricane.