Commonly asked questions regarding Hurricane Milton
- What about scheduled exams and assignments?
Classes are canceled and UF offices in Gainesville will be closed from 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9 through Thursday, Oct. 10. All academic and student-related activities, including online classes and exams, will also be canceled during that time. Instructors will contact their students regarding rescheduling dates.
- I’m an online student and live outside of Gainesville. What should I do?
Online students who live in the path of the storm beyond the Gainesville campus should immediately contact their instructors to discuss whether special accommodations can be made.
- Are events on campus canceled?
All academic and student-related activities are canceled during the time the university is closed.
- Where is my student? Are they safe?
Family members are encouraged to make a communication plan with their student and discuss plans to stay connected and/or re-connect in the event of power loss. As always, if there is an immediate concern for student safety, or if a student needs immediate help, you are encouraged to dial 911.
- Will UF evacuate its campus or residence halls?
There are no plans to evacuate student residents of the Gainesville campus. Those who live in residence halls on campus should plan to shelter in place. Family members are encouraged to make a communication plan with their student and discuss plans to stay connected and/or re-connect in the event of power loss. As always, if there is an immediate concern for student safety, or if a student needs immediate help, you are encouraged to dial 911.
- Will students be placed in shelters?
Information about shelter openings on campus will be available no later than Tuesday morning. The on-campus shelter will be available to UF students, faculty and staff, and their families. UF affiliates must bring their Gator 1 card for identification. Those planning to shelter with their families must remain in the shelter together for the duration of the event.The decision to seek refuge at a shelter should be based on the construction and location of your home. On-campus students should stay in their residence hall. Generally, off-campus students will shelter in their apartment or home. Those in flood-prone areas, manufactured, sub-standard, or otherwise unsafe housing should seek shelter.
- Will food be provided to on-campus students?
Florida Fresh Dining will continue to serve the campus community during Hurricane Milton. Specific dining information can be found at https://dineoncampus.com/uf.
- Are residence halls open?
Yes, Housing and Residence Life facilities will remain open to current residents. Students who live on campus should shelter in place.
- Do residence halls have impact-resistant glass or are there shutters over the windows?
No, residence hall windows do not have shutters, and most are not impact resistant. Details regarding storm preparation for residents, including emergency instructions for residents, preparations for tropical weather, and procedures for residents during tropical weather can be found here: https://housing.ufl.edu/resources/storm-preparation/.
- What happens if the residence halls lose power?
Residence halls are equipped with emergency generators to keep critical life safety systems (emergency lighting and fire alarms) fully operational during a power outage.
- Where should students park their vehicles?
Students who live on campus may keep their cars in their designated parking spaces. Students who live off campus should not park their personal vehicles in campus parking garages, including UF Health garages, as those will be needed for UF Health employees and patients.
