Check back regularly for updates. Also check the USF News site for USF System updates
Sept. 11, 2017, 8:25 p.m.
Dear USF System Students, Faculty and Staff,
As always, we remain very focused on the safety of the entire USF community. We are very proud and grateful that our students, faculty and staff have gone to great lengths to ensure their own safety as well as that of each other and their families. It’s just the USF way.
Now that Hurricane Irma has passed through the Tampa Bay area, our teams are completing a comprehensive assessment of each USF System campus to identify any unsafe areas, and confirm that our facilities did not suffer any major structural damage.
As a result, we’ve established an updated timeline for returning to normal business operations.
Provided you can safely return to campus, USF Tampa and USF St. Petersburg will resume classes on Thursday, September 14. USF Tampa and USF St. Petersburg faculty and staff should report to work as scheduled on Wednesday, September 13.
Unfortunately, USF Sarasota-Manatee remains without power and a reopening time is still to be determined. As soon as power is restored, USF Sarasota-Manatee students, faculty and staff will be updated regarding plans to reopen.
Please be assured, students will not be considered absent this week when classes resume if they are still returning from evacuating or dealing with impacts from Hurricane Irma. To be clear, no student assignments will be due and no quizzes or exams will be administered before next week. Students who are unable to return for classes on Thursday because of a storm-related hardship should notify their instructors as soon as possible. Employees unable to return to work because of a storm-related hardship should notify their supervisor as soon as possible. Faculty members and supervisors are asked to be patient and understanding with their students and staff during these unique circumstances.
At USF Tampa, the Marshall Student Center, USF Library, Campus Recreation Center, Student Health Services and the Counseling Center will reopen at 8 a.m. on Wednesday. USF St. Petersburg residence halls that were evacuated during the storm will reopen at 8 a.m. on Wednesday. USFSP students can contact Dean of Students Jacob Diaz with any questions at (727) 873-4826 or jacobdiaz@mail.usf.edu.
All USF Health clinics will reopen on Wednesday. Clinical staff will receive additional guidance in a separate communication.
We have established two toll-free phone numbers for anyone with questions about the reopening schedule:
USF System students or parents can call 1-855-382-5049.
USF System faculty or staff can call 1-855-456-0649.
Both phone numbers will be staffed from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. beginning on Tuesday.
Sept. 9, 2017, 1:30 p.m.
See message below re: Tuesday, Sept. 12. USF Health leadership continues to closely monitor the path of Hurricane Irma and remains committed to the safety of our patients, students, and employees. This storm is not the storm we wanted, but USF Health and USF System are prepared to quickly respond to the impacts and begin to recover so that we can quickly fulfill our purpose in this community; to serve others.
As of this communication, USF anticipates that hurricane and tropical storm force conditions will be in the area through Monday evening. Our intent is to have our USF Health leadership onsite at the North Tampa Campus first thing Tuesday morning to begin to evaluate our buildings.
USF and USF Health Care will remain closed to students and clients on Tuesday, September 12.
USF Health essential personnel (state or UMSA personnel with a direct or support research or clinical role) will likely be asked to return to campus on Tuesday afternoon to begin to prepare our buildings to serve our students and clients.
This only applies if personnel can safely return to campus and local government has authorized movement around the community.
Check-in for USF Health personnel will be at the WELL/Shared Student Services. Please dress ready to work, but appropriate for the work setting.
Further information can be accessed at usf.edu, or the USF Health employee information line at 813-974-0010.
Sept. 9, 2017, 1:25 p.m.
The USF System will remain closed through Tuesday, September 12.
As Hurricane Irma approaches Florida, the storm’s projected path and magnitude is becoming more clear. It’s very important that all our students, faculty, and staff remain safe.
Only USF System employees who are classified as essential personnel and those identified by their supervisors as vital to campus operations should report to work on Tuesday.
We anticipate inspection of over 350 buildings across our campuses by damage assessment teams once conditions are safe. Based on these inspections, if it is determined that additional closures are needed beyond Tuesday, updates will be posted on the university’s website, official social media channels, MyUSF and shared through email.
All USF System students, faculty, and staff are urged to plan carefully, follow local weather reports, stay informed through updates from county and state emergency management officials and take all precautions necessary to remain safe.
Sept. 8, 2017, 9:25 a.m.
USF System new hires with a Monday, Sept. 11, start date should report to their institution’s Human Resources Office on the morning the campus reopens to complete new hire paperwork, unless previously completed. New hire orientations for Staff and Administration employees will be rescheduled.
Sept. 7, 2017, 10:30 p.m.
Dear USF System students, faculty and staff –
As Hurricane Irma approaches Florida, the storm’s projected path and potential danger to our state is becoming more clear. Governor Scott has directed that all state universities will close effective Friday through Monday, as part of an effort to ensure we have every space available for sheltering and staging.
It’s very important that all our students, faculty and staff remain safe. Only USF System employees who are classified as essential personnel and those identified by their supervisors as vital to campus operations should report to work during this time period.
If it is determined that additional closures are needed beyond Monday, updates will be posted on the university’s website, official social media channels, MyUSF and shared through email.
At this time, residence halls and dining halls at USF Tampa will remain open, although the Marshall Center and Library in Tampa will close. USFSP residence halls will remain open pending a scheduled mandatory evacuation at 0600 tomorrow.
All USF Health Residents and Fellows should follow the guidance of their clinical programs.
All USF System students, faculty and staff are urged to plan carefully, follow local weather reports, stay informed through updates from county and state emergency management officials and take all precautions necessary to remain safe.
Sept. 7, 2017, 3:20 p.m.
Academics/CAMLS: All USF Health colleges, schools, and programs remain closed through Sunday, September 10. The USF System will make a decision later this week regarding the need for additional closures at USF Tampa. USF Health students and faculty are encouraged to check usf.edu for the latest academic closures.
Research: All lab spaces are currently open to essential laboratory personnel. Labs and lab buildings will be closed on Saturday, September 9, as of 11 P.M.
Clinical: While we must always place our patients’ needs first, USF Health Care will be closed Friday, September 8 and remain closed through Monday, September 11. A decision regarding any change to clinical operations on Tuesday, September 12 will be communicated over the weekend. UMSA Employees are currently authorized Admin Leave for Friday, September 8 and Monday, September 11.
Clinical Providers: As a reminder, even when USF Health Care is closed, we have an obligation to serve our patients. Providers are required to maintain communications for patients’ emergency needs and during this closure as far as is practicable.
GME: Residents and Fellows should follow the guidance of their clinical programs.
During this period of augmented operations, managers and supervisors are encouraged to use maximum flexibility in granting leave for employees who have a need to care for family, evacuate, or conduct hurricane preparations. Further information can be accessed at usf.edu, or the USF Health employee information line at 813-974-0010.
All personnel should power down their computers before leaving the building to shelter for the hurricane. Sensitive documents and records should be secured as appropriate.
Sept. 6, 2017, 3:30 p.m.
The University of South Florida System will close beginning Thursday, Sept. 7 through Sunday, Sept. 10 to allow time for the entire USF family to prepare for Hurricane Irma. All classes on those dates are cancelled. USF St. Petersburg and USF Sarasota-Manatee will also be closed and classes will be cancelled on Monday, Sept. 11. A decision about whether to open USF in Tampa on Monday will be made later this week.
All USF Health clinics will remain open through Friday. Third and fourth year medical students should continue their rotations as scheduled through Friday.
Check the USF News site for more information: http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?a=8034&z=220
Sept. 5, 2017, 3:45 p.m.
The USF System is closely monitoring the potential impacts of Hurricane Irma. At this time, the USF community is strongly encouraged to review the official USF Hurricane Guide and other resources available on the USF Emergency Management website. Students, faculty and staff should have a preparedness plan in place and continue to monitor local weather reports.
Any announcements about campus closures will be made on the university website, official social media channels and will be posted on MyUSF.
Check back here for updates on USF Health Care clinical operations.
