Will Tropical Storm Nicole affect classes at UM, FIU, UCF and other Florida universities?
As Tropical Storm Nicole strengthened in the Atlantic on Tuesday with a wind field about the size of the state, colleges and universities across Florida weighed whether to cancel class sometime this week, although most will already close for Veterans Day on Friday.
National Hurricane Center experts expect Nicole to hit the east coast of Florida as a possible Category 1 hurricane overnight on Wednesday or early Thursday, somewhere close to Melbourne. But because of its magnitude, its effects will be felt throughout Florida starting Wednesday morning.
READ MORE: Is school open or closed ahead of Tropical Storm Nicole? What to know in Florida
That’s why the storm could affect all of Florida’s education institutions.
Broward County Public Schools and Miami-Dade County Public Schools in South Florida both announced Tuesday that school will be closed on Wednesday due to Nicole.
Here’s a breakdown of what some colleges and universities will do for Wednesday and Thursday:
READ MORE: Broward Schools closing doors Wednesday in anticipation of Tropical Storm Nicole
University of Miami
Shortly after noon Tuesday, UM announced a transition to online learning for Wednesday for all students at all campuses, except for some medical students who will remain on their regular clinical rotation schedules.
“The safety of our community is a top priority,” reads the advisory. “Faculty should immediately convey to students how to access the course remotely, or any alternative academic continuity plans. Staff should follow the direction of their supervisor regarding whether to report to campus or work remotely on Wednesday.”
The UM campus store, Herbert Wellness Center, Hurricane Food Court, Shalala Student Center and Student Center Complex and the university libraries will be closed as well. Dining halls will be open.
UM also canceled all campus events planned for Wednesday.
The athletic schedule will continue normal schedules.
For the status of Thursday classes, a UM spokesman said students and faculty should watch for emails, texts and notifications on the school’s website.
Florida International University
At nearly 7 p.m., FIU announced Nicole wouldn’t affect its operations Wednesday.
“University operations remain normal,” the email reads. “We ask that professors and supervisors exercise flexibility with students, faculty and staff who may be impacted by the storm or the closure of schools in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.”
Miami Dade College
Sue Arrowsmith, an MDC spokeswoman, told the Herald the college administrators decided at about 6 p.m. Tuesday to hold regular classes Wednesday.
Florida Memorial University
FMU, the only historically Black university in South Florida, announced Tuesday afternoon in an email to students, faculty and staff that the private university would continue to operate regularly.
“FMU’s Emergency Management Team will continue to monitor and assess the situation and provide timely communication of any impact to FMU’s operations or activities,” the message reads.
“At this time all classes, events, and activities are operating on a regular schedule.”
Florida Atlantic University
On Tuesday afternoon, after checking the storm’s path, FAU announced it would shut down all of its campuses and suspended operations and all classes, including online classes, for Wednesday and Thursday.
The university said students living at its Boca Raton and Jupiter campuses could stay in the dorms. But all resident dining halls will close at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and stay closed Thursday.
Employees who work remotely will continue to do so, while some essential staffers will work on campus Wednesday and Thursday.
Lynn University
Lynn University, located in Boca Raton, announced at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday that it would cancel in-person classes Wednesday and Thursday because of the storm.
Only students who live in the dorms and employees required by their supervisor to report in person will be allowed on campus, the university said. The dining halls will remain open.
“Our emergency management team will continue to monitor the storm and provide further guidance concerning reopening as conditions become clearer,” the message reads.
University of Central Florida
UCF, based in Orlando, canceled all classes, including online classes, Wednesday and Thursday.
“Though Tropical Storm Nicole’s impact is forecast to be weaker than Hurricane Ian, we are making these decisions in the interest of our community’s safety and well-being,” the notice reads. “Following the storm, we will assess campus and local conditions and provide more specific updates about our reopening timeline.”
UCF Housing will remain open through the storm for all residents; campus dining halls will stay open until 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Essential employees may be called into work.
University of Florida
UF, in its latest emergency update at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, announced it would close its Gainesville campus and cancel classes, including online ones, on Thursday due to Nicole. Only essential university personnel will report for work.
Residence halls will remain open during the storm.
This story was originally published November 8, 2022 at 3:09 PM.
