Storm Updates and Message Archive

Following a comprehensive assessment of our campuses and local conditions, UCF will reopen for normal operations as planned on Saturday, Oct. 12, and all classes will resume Monday, Oct. 14.

The impact of Hurricane Milton is varied and, in some locations, catastrophic. UCF is known for our culture of caring, and now is the time to extend patience and compassion to those who are continuing to feel the effects of the storm.

This means that some students, faculty, and staff may be unable to return to classes or work on Monday. These individuals should be given empathy and flexibility as our region and state recover.

The scheduled football game against Cincinnati will kick off at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at FBC Mortgage Stadium. All campus parking lots, including Gold Zone Village and Gold Zone Campus, will open at 11:30 a.m. Memory Mall will be closed for tailgating, including for Greeks on the Green.

As we return to normal operations, here are key updates for our community:

For Students

• All in-person and online classes are suspended until Monday. No assignments or exams should be assigned or required to be submitted until classes resume./li>
• UCF Housing communities remain open and safe for students to return to.
• Campus services are beginning to reopen to give students access to dining and recreation. The Student Union is open until 7 p.m. tonight, and the Recreation and Wellness Center will be open 3 to 10 p.m.
• Students impacted by Hurricane Milton who need assistance should fill out this form. UCF staff will contact these students individually to connect them with resources and support. 
• The Knights Helping Knights Pantry will be fully stocked and ready to serve students when it opens at 10 a.m. Monday.
• Students needing immediate mental health support should contact Counseling and Psychological Services’ 24/7 crisis line at 407-823-2811 and press 5 to speak with a therapist.  

For Faculty

• Faculty with labs may return to campus.
• All in-person and online classes are suspended until Monday. No assignments or exams should be assigned or required to be submitted until classes resume.
• Some students may struggle with returning to academics on Monday. Faculty should be understanding of the challenges students may be facing and should be as accommodating as possible.

For Faculty and Staff

• Employees should be clear with their supervisor about the storm’s personal impact and their ability to report to work on Monday. 
• Supervisors are strongly encouraged to exercise understanding and flexibility.
• Our Employee Assistance Program is available to provide work, life and mental health support.

Updated information will continue to be shared on ucf.edu/hurricane and social media.

To give our community time to prepare for Hurricane Milton – which is expected to impact Central Florida starting Wednesday – all classes and campus operations are now suspended today through Friday, Oct. 11.

The university is expected to reopen for normal operations on Saturday, Oct. 12, and classes will resume Monday, Oct. 14. All academic assignments and exams, including for all classes with online components, remain suspended until Monday.

Hurricane Milton is forecasted to be a catastrophic storm resulting in widespread impact across our state. It is critical that our students, faculty and staff take precautions today, and students are strongly encouraged to use today to return home if they are able.

UCF Police will close all main campus entrances starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday until a damage assessment has been completed on Friday. Only critical personnel with badges will be able to enter campus during that time using Central Florida Boulevard.

While UCF Housing will remain open for residents who have no other place to go, students who choose to stay in their residence halls will not be permitted to leave their buildings during the storm. Students who remain will be responsible for their own personal safety and comfort – UCF Housing staff and police and medical services may not be available during the storm, and we cannot guarantee electricity, water, wi-fi and food. Guests are not permitted in UCF Housing. All violators will be referred to Student Conduct and Academic Integrity.

UCF’s Emergency Management team remains in active communication with our local National Weather Service office in Melbourne and the National Hurricane Center to ensure the university has the latest information.

We will continue to share information through UCF Alert, ucf.edu/hurricane, and social media.

Colleagues,

The need for another message like this is unfortunate, but as we continue through hurricane season, it is critical that each of us prioritize safety and preparedness.

With Hurricane Milton approaching, UCF will suspend normal operations Tuesday through Thursday, with an anticipated reopening on Friday. This means that all classes, assignments, and exams – both in-person and online – are suspended effective 11:59 p.m. tonight until the university resumes normal operations.

With the storm forecast to impact our area starting Wednesday, I hope you will use this time to thoughtfully prepare.

For research faculty, labs will be inaccessible after noon on Tuesday. This is to allow Facilities time to sandbag and secure buildings to prevent water intrusion during the storm. It’s important that faculty follow this timeline and take any necessary steps before noon tomorrow.

As you prepare for the storm, I encourage you to review resources about campus closures and lab preparations.

Supporting our students’ success during these challenging circumstances remains critical. Any assignments or exams originally scheduled during the emergency closure should be postponed until normal operations resume. Many of our students may be impacted by the storm or have loved ones in affected areas – your flexibility and understanding will help them stay on track for success.

Thank you for your resilience and support of our students and each other. Please take care of yourselves, and stay safe.

Sincerely,

Michael D. Johnson, Ph.D.

Provost and Executive Vice President
for Academic Affairs

In anticipation of Hurricane Milton’s arrival — and to give our community time to leave the area, prepare for the storm and return — UCF will suspend operations on all campuses and all classes, including online classes, from Tuesday, Oct. 8, through Thursday, Oct. 10.

Standard operations will continue through 11:59 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, and are planned to resume at 6 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11. Following the storm, we will assess campus and local conditions and provide more specific updates about our anticipated Friday reopening.

We are making this decision in the interest of our community’s safety and well-being and will continue to closely monitor the latest forecasts and provide updates as necessary. We encourage you to use this time to take storm preparations seriously before the onset of severe weather.

For All Students

• All academic assignments and exams, including for all classes with online components, are suspended while the university is closed.

For Students Who Live in UCF Housing

• While UCF Housing will remain open, campus services will be closed. Students are encouraged to use Tuesday to return home by Tuesday evening if they are able.
• Students who choose to remain in UCF Housing are encouraged to use the coming days to prepare. Access to power, wi-fi, food, water, and UCF Housing staff, police, and medical assistance will depend on storm conditions.
• Should forecasts intensify, students in on-campus UCF Housing may be required to move to a ride-out location.

For Faculty and Staff

• All academic assignments and exams, including for all classes with online components, are suspended while the university is closed.
• Faculty are encouraged to be understanding of students’ need to prioritize their personal safety.
• Research faculty will have access to their labs through noon Tuesday. After that time, buildings will be locked, sandbagged and inaccessible.
• Critical employees may be activated to work during the university closure, and employees should speak with their supervisor about this possibility. 

UCF’s Emergency Management team remains in active communication with our local National Weather Service office in Melbourne and the National Hurricane Center to ensure the university has the latest information.

We will continue to share information through UCF Alert, ucf.edu/hurricane, and social media.