Commonly asked questions regarding Tropical Storm Helene

• What about scheduled exams and assignments?
  Classes are canceled on Friday, Sept. 27, and UF offices in Gainesville will remain closed until 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28. 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 a student, and I was affected by the storm. What should I do?
  All students who have been affected by the storm are encouraged to 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. Visit the campus services and events updates page for the latest information.

• 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 food be provided to on-campus students?
  Florida Fresh Dining will continue to serve the campus community during Tropical Storm Helene. Specific dining information can be found at https://dineoncampus.com/uf.

• Where should students park their vehicles?
  Students who live on campus may keep their cars on campus. 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.

• 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.

• Are mental health services available?
  Students experiencing a crisis can consult with a crisis counselor who will assess needs and determine what services would be helpful. The 24/7 line for students to connect with a crisis counselor is 352-392-1575. Students can also connect with national crisis resources by dialing 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

• 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.

• Is there still a possibility of evacuating the UF residence halls?
  There are no current plans to evacuate residence halls. Residents are encouraged to shelter in place in their residence hall. Housing staff will communicate any updated guidance for residence halls with residents. Housing and Residence Life will have employees on-campus and a 24-hour on-call phone will be monitored by staff.

• Will students be placed in shelters?
  If a need is determined, a shelter will open for 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.