UF will be closed from Wednesday, Sept. 28 to Friday, Sept. 30 ahead of Hurricane Ian’s landfall. UF has advised only essential personnel should report to work in that timeframe.
In the meantime, The Alligator has created a list of frequently asked questions for students and faculty to prepare for Ian and remain safe in dangerous weather conditions. As The Alligator receives more answers, the FAQ list will be updated.
Are residence halls closing?
No, they will remain open during the hurricane. Students are advised to shelter in place, according to UF’s latest update. Students living off-campus are advised to do the same.
Is there a shelter on campus I can go to?
Students can go to the Southwest Recreation Center, which will open as a shelter at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The recreation center is also open to faculty and staff, as well as their families. GatorONE cards are required for identification.
Will the dining halls still be open?
Yes, Gator Corner and Broward Dining will be open for service, according to Florida Fresh Dining’s updated service hours. On Wednesday, both dining halls will serve food from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Takeout will also be available.
Markets at Graham Hall, Beaty Towers and Rawlings Hall will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Subway at Rawlings Hall will be the only campus restaurant open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m, as listed in the Florida Fresh Dining announcement.
If the campus loses power, dining halls will still be open.
How will the hurricane affect bus routes?
The Gainesville Regional Transit System sent out an advisory Tuesday informing the public RTS will operate under reduced service starting Wednesday, Sept. 28, through the end of severe weather in the area.
Routes 9, 12, 20, 21, 23, 28, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38 and 118 will see a reduction of frequency; while routes 76 and 78 will be canceled.
Can I move my car to a parking garage?
Currently, UF is discouraging students from moving their cars into campus parking garages, including UF Health garages. UF Health garages will be needed for spaces for UF Health employees, according to the update.
When will campus fully reopen?
In their most recent update to the public, the university said it expects to resume normal campus operations Saturday, Oct. 1. A UF Alert should be released when campus returns to normal operations.
How can I stay informed on UF updates for Hurricane Ian?
UF will continue to post updates on their website, in addition to releasing all severe weather updates at updates.emergency.ufl.edu. Notifications through the UF Alert notification system is another way the UF community can stay informed. UF alerts are sent through text message and email.
What should I do if my power goes out?
Students should provide their own flashlights, but avoid candles, according to a UF Housing email. Students should also consider stocking food items for about three days, particularly unrefrigerated items or cooked.
Should I be worried about flooding where I live?
Cascades Luxury Apartments, Royal Village Apartments and the Reserve at Kanapaha Apartments are in flood zones, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Butler Plaza, a shopping complex including Target and Publix, and the UF Office of Clinical Research are both included in flood zones. No UF dorms are near flood zones. Being in a flood zone doesn’t guarantee there will be flooding. To check if you are close to one, look up your address in this map.
How should I prepare for any flooding?
Personal items should be away from windows and off of desks and dressers, according to the UF Housing email. Electronics and plugs should be removed from the floor, and electronic devices should be fully charged before the arrival of the storm. Personal items, such as shoes and rugs, should also be stored in closets or drawers. Emergency brakes in cars should be activated.
Is Saturday’s football game being rescheduled?
Yes, the game against Eastern Washington has been rescheduled to 12 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2. All tickets issued for Saturday will be honored on Sunday.
What happened to Student Government elections?
Due to campus closures in preparation for Hurricane Ian, the second day of the UF Student Government election has been pushed to Monday, Oct. 3, according to an email from supervisor of elections Ethan Halle. The election was originally scheduled for Sept. 28.
Monday’s elections will run as usual from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
