UPDATE | 9/03/19: USF System Hurricane Dorian Update
Dear students, faculty and staff,
USF continues to closely monitor Hurricane Dorian. Based on the most recent forecast, impacts from the storm are expected to be minimal across our region. As a result, all USF campuses and facilities will reopen on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Regular class schedules and normal business operations will resume on Wednesday.
USF Health clinics and facilities will also reopen and resume normal business operations on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Visit health.usf.edu for additional updates on patient appointments.
As we continue to track Hurricane Dorian, the safety of our students, faculty and staff is our highest priority.
Students who left the region because of the storm and won’t be able to return in time for Wednesday’s classes should notify their instructors as soon as possible. Employees who left the region because of the storm and won’t be able to return by Wednesday should notify their supervisors as soon as possible. Faculty members and supervisors are asked to be patient and understanding with their students and staff during these unique circumstances.
University leadership will continue to watch the projected path of the storm and assess the situation. Should there be any additional updates prior to reopening on Wednesday, information will be provided via www.usf.edu, USF’s official social media channels, MyUSF and email.
We encourage students, faculty and staff to continue to follow local weather reports and monitor updates and guidance from county and state emergency management officials. The 2019 USF Hurricane Guide is available here.
UPDATE | 9/02/19: USF System to Reopen and Resume Classes on Wednesday, Sept. 4
Dear students, faculty and staff,
The University of South Florida System continues to closely monitor Hurricane Dorian and any potential impacts to our region. As we track the storm, the safety of our students, faculty and staff is our highest priority.
All USF campuses remain closed and all classes, including online classes, are cancelled through Tuesday, Sept. 3.
At this time, the National Weather Service expects that impacts from Hurricane Dorian will be minimal across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota and Manatee Counties.
Based on the most recent forecast, all USF campuses and facilities will reopen on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Regular class schedules and normal business operations will resume on Wednesday.
USF Health clinics and facilities will also reopen and resume normal business operations on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Visit health.usf.edu for additional updates on patient appointments.
University leadership will continue to constantly monitor the storm and assess the situation. Should the projected path of the storm shift significantly to the west, USF will provide updated information via usf.edu, USF’s official social media channels, MyUSF and email.
Students who left the region because of the storm and won’t be able to return in time for Wednesday’s classes should notify their instructors as soon as possible. Employees who left the region because of the storm and won’t be able to return by Wednesday should notify their supervisors as soon as possible. Faculty members and supervisors are asked to be patient and understanding with their students and staff during these unique circumstances.
USF has reached out to students, and faculty and staff from the Bahamas who might have family members or close friends impacted by the storm. Faculty members and supervisors are also asked to be sensitive to the needs of Bahamian students and staff during this difficult time.
USF’s call center is open on Monday from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. and on Tuesday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Students, faculty, staff, parents or community members with questions regarding the status of university operations can contact (866) 601-6905.
The Marshall Student Center will be open Tuesday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., including The Bull Pen with Chick-fil-A and Bento Sushi. The USF Tampa Campus Recreation Center will be open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Tuesday. The USF Tampa Library will also be open Tuesday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (including Starbucks). Students will also have access to Juniper Dining and the Hub from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday. Updates regarding dining hours of operation will be available on www.usfdining.com.
The USF St. Petersburg Nelson Poynter Memorial Library, Student Life Center and Campus Recreation Center will open on Tuesday from 5 - 10 p.m.
We urge students, faculty and staff to continue to follow local weather reports and monitor updates and guidance from county and state emergency management officials. The 2019 USF Hurricane Guide is available here.
UPDATE | 9/01/19: USF System Hurricane Dorian Update
The University of South Florida System continues to closely monitor Hurricane Dorian and any potential impacts to our region. As we track the storm, the safety of our students, faculty and staff is our highest priority.
All USF campuses remain closed and classes are cancelled through at least Tuesday, Sept. 3. At this time, no decisions have been made regarding reopening any campuses or resuming class schedules on Wednesday, Sept. 4.
Based on the latest information, the National Weather Service expects that impacts from Hurricane Dorian will be minimal across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota and Manatee Counties. The situation could change significantly, however, if the projected track of the storm shifts to the west.
The university will provide the next update on Monday afternoon as the path of the storm becomes clearer.
USF Health has cancelled clinical operations at all of its clinics and facilities on Tuesday, Sept. 3. At this time, no decisions have been made regarding reopening clinics and facilities on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Additional updates may be provided via health.usf.edu.
The Marshall Student Center is closed on Monday, but will open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Tuesday. The USF Tampa Campus Recreation Center is closed on Monday, but will open from 2 – 6 p.m. on Tuesday. The USF Tampa Library is closed on Monday, but will open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
USF’s call center is open on Sunday until 8 p.m. It will be open on Monday from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. and on Tuesday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Students, faculty, staff, parents or community members with questions regarding the status of university operations can contact (866) 601-6905.
We urge students, faculty and staff to continue to follow local weather reports and monitor updates and guidance from county and state emergency management officials. The 2019 USF Hurricane Guide is available here.
UPDATE | 8/30/19: USF System to close effective 10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31 through Tuesday, Sept. 3
Dear students, faculty and staff,
The University of South Florida System continues to closely monitor Hurricane Dorian and any potential impacts to our region. The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our highest priority, as we track the storm.
Based on the latest weather information, all USF System campuses will close and classes are cancelled effective 10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31 through at least Tuesday, Sept. 3.
Only USF System employees who are classified as essential personnel and/or those identified by their supervisors as vital to campus operations should report to work while campuses are closed. Please contact your supervisor if you are unsure of your status.
University leadership will continue to monitor the storm over the weekend and assess the situation daily. An update will be provided to the USF community on Sunday regarding any closures beyond Tuesday, Sept. 3. This information will be shared via usf.edu, USF’s official social media channels, MyUSF and email.
At this time, residence halls and residential dining facilities at USF Tampa will remain open. Housing staff may communicate directly with residential students regarding any changes to dining hall hours or any additional information.
Residence halls and dining facilities at USF St. Petersburg also remain open. A voluntary busing service will be offered on Saturday afternoon for USFSP residential students who prefer to stay in a facility at USF Tampa. USFSP Housing staff will provide a separate message to residential students with additional information about this option.
USF Health is cancelling clinical operations at all of its clinics and facilities on Tuesday, Sept. 3. A decision will be made early next week regarding when clinical operations will reopen. Visit health.usf.edu for updates on how the storm may impact patient appointments.
The USF Football game vs. Wisconsin at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30 will be played as scheduled.
USF will activate a call center from noon – 8 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Sunday. Students, faculty, staff, parents or community members with questions regarding the status of university operations can contact (866) 601-6905.
We urge students, faculty and staff to plan carefully, follow local weather reports and monitor updates and guidance from county and state emergency management officials. The 2019 USF Hurricane Guide is available here.
8/30/19: A Letter from the Dean of Students
Dear Students,
As you are aware, Hurricane Dorian is expected to impact Florida in the coming days. I want to assure you that the University staff are doing everything we can to be prepared should we receive impacts across campus and the surrounding community. Our first priority is student safety. For this reason, the University of South Florida is closing at 10pm Saturday night.
Residence halls and residential dining facilities remain open at this time, however we encourage residential students to consider the option of staying with family or friends in a safe location off campus, if available. If it’s determined an evacuation is necessary due to weather conditions, students remaining on campus would be transported to approved county shelters until it is safe to return. If you are living on campus and cannot go home, housing and residential education staff can provide you with additional information. USF is prepared to support residents throughout the entire storm.
If you live off campus in nearby apartment complexes, please contact your apartment management to find out their policies and procedures and follow the hurricane tips listed below.
So that you do not feel you are missing anything and can focus on your safety, we have cancelled all co-curricular activities and events from Saturday morning until at least Wednesday morning; this includes sorority and fraternity recruitment.
As we continue to prepare, you should take the following precautions:
- Update your emergency contact in OASIS
- Check your University email and the USF website for updates
- Gather your hurricane supplies needed
- Charge cell phones and power banks
- Check in with family on a regular basis so they stop worrying
- Stay indoors during the storm
- After the storm, be aware of your surroundings and do not come back to campus until the University has reopened.
- Use this link and let us know your plans in case of emergency
I encourage you to take the time to share your hurricane plan with your family and friends. It is common during storms to have inconsistent phone coverage.
For those of you in need, the following services will be available:
Call Center: 866-601-6905
- Saturday 12pm – 8pm
- Sunday 8am – 8pm
Prescriptions/medications: In preparation for any emergency you want to make sure, you have a 2-week supply of any prescription medications. If you find that you do not have an adequate supply, please contact your pharmacy to request refills. You want to request these refills before the storm arrives.
If you have prescription at the USF Bulls Country Pharmacy located in the Marshall Center. Please note that the pharmacy will be closed Saturday August 31 through September 3, 2019. If you need a refill of a prescription at Bulls Country pharmacy, please call 813-974-2071.
- Leave a voicemail with your name, U#, name of medication, pharmacy name and phone number where you want your medication transferred.
- Voicemails will be checked Saturday and Sunday at 12 PM and 4PM. After Sunday, transfers will not be available due to safety concerns.
- Before calling for a prescription to be transferred, please contact the pharmacy for their hours of operation during this holiday weekend.
Counseling Center: Saturday August 31, 2019 through Tuesday September 3, 2019 the USF Counseling Center will be closed. During this time, the Counseling Center offers access to their continuous after hour’s service to speak with a licensed mental health specialist. To access this service, contact the Counseling Center’s main line 813-974-2831 and choose option “3.”
Student Health Services: Saturday August 31, 2019 through Tuesday September 3, 2019 Student Health Services will be closed. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. If you have a medical concern or question that is not an emergency, Student Health Services has a 24-hour Nurses line for any medical concerns. Please call 813-974-2331.
Marshall Student Center will be open the following hours (weather permitting):
- Open Saturday – 9am – 6pm
- Sunday 10am – 2pm
- Closed Monday and Tuesday
- Panera will be open Saturday 9am-2pm and Sunday 10am – 2pm
Campus Recreation will be open the following hours (weather permitting)
- Saturday 9am – 6pm
- Sunday 2pm – 6pm
- Closed Monday and Tuesday
Dining
Juniper Poplar and the Hub will be open 10am until 10pm weather permitting – however students should be prepared with snacks and food if it is not safe to go to the dining halls or deliver food. Updates regarding dining hours of operation will be available on www.usfdining.com.
Whether you are living on or off campus, be prepared to stay inside from Sunday through Tuesday. You may want to catch up on your academic studies, download your favorite Netflix shows, and charge your electronic devices in case we lose power.
For tips on hurricane preparedness, visit the USF Hurricane preparedness guide. Stay informed via usf.edu, USF’s official social media channels, MyUSF and email.
Stay Safe!
In Bull Pride,
Dean McDonald