General Aug 28, 2019

WEATHER ADVISORY: Saint Leo Monitoring Dorian

General Aug 28, 2019

WEATHER ADVISORY: Saint Leo Monitoring Dorian

LATEST UPDATE: 8/31/19 @ 5:00 P.M.

August 31, 2019, 5:00 p.m. ET
Update on Hurricane Dorian

Saint Leo University is continuing to monitor the path of Hurricane Dorian. Recent forecast models indicate that the storm's trajectory has shifted to the east. As a result, the university has made some updates regarding university operations.

The latest forecast reports suggest a less significant impact for the University Campus in Saint Leo, FL, and surrounding areas. However, additional center locations along the east coast are now directly within the storm's forecasted path. All Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina members of the university community should remain diligent to forecast updates and continue hurricane preparations. University officials are meeting daily and will issue an update at least once per day.

For now, the following cancellations and closures are in place:

University Campus: Closed for normal operations through Tuesday, September 3. Classes are canceled through Wednesday, September 4. The university anticipates resuming all normal operations on Wednesday, September 4, with the exception of classes, which will resume on Thursday, September 5.
University Campus Lion's Express: Will continue normal operations through Sunday, September 1.
University Campus Safe Ride: Suspended until classes resume on Thursday. Escorts are available upon request through Campus Safety.
East Pasco Education Center (including PHSC education offices): Closed and classes are canceled Sunday, September 1, through Wednesday, September 4. East Pasco staff housed on University Campus are expected to return to work on Wednesday, September 4 when campus reopens.
Tampa Education Center: Closed and classes are canceled Sunday, September 1 through Tuesday, September 3.
MacDill Education Center: Closed and classes are canceled Sunday, September 1 through Tuesday, September 3.
Lakeland Education Center: Closed and classes are canceled Sunday, September 1 through Tuesday September 3.
Ocala Education Center: Closed and classes are canceled Sunday, September 1, through Tuesday September 3.
Lake City Education Offices: Closed and classes are canceled Sunday, September 1, through Tuesday, September 3.
Mayport Education Offices: Closed and classes are canceled. Please check back for updates regarding reopening.

Be sure to continue to check our website – https://www.saintleo.edu – as additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Students Deployed during Hurricane Dorian

We recognize that many of our students are likely to be deployed to provide assistance during and after the storm across the impacted areas. The university deeply respects and appreciates the service of our military members, reservists, first responders, and all others who provide aid and recovery assistance throughout this weather event. Our faculty and staff are prepared to work with you to provide flexibility and assistance to support your studies. Please stay safe and know that our prayers will be with you and those you serve in the coming days.

University Campus Students

Based on the current forecast, the campus is likely to experience Tropical Storm conditions beginning Monday, September 2, through Tuesday. In that situation, the university will initiate safety protocols to minimize the need to be outdoors. Until such time, the dining hall will maintain normal weekend hours. Throughout the coming days, please be vigilant to weather conditions. It is likely we will experience gusty wind conditions, heavy rains, and thunderstorms as the outer bands of the hurricane pass over Florida. Please use an abundance of caution in moving about campus.

Online Students

If you are an online student who lives in an area affected by the storm, know that flexibility will be exercised and consideration for course assignments and deadlines will be taken into account. Please refer to your course syllabi provided for each of your classes to remain current in your work.

Depending on your location, you can keep up to date with your classwork through D2L when the storm is not imminent. You can access information on your online or on-ground classes in the D2L course shell located in LionsShare by clicking on "Courses." If you, your instructors, or your location is closed or unavailable, D2L will be updated to include changes to your coursework and assignments that you may complete.

For those of you in non-affected areas, please stay up to date on your coursework and utilize the resources via D2L. For those affected by the hurricane, stay safe and know that your instructors will be working with you throughout this time.

Employees

Due to recent weather reports, the university anticipates resuming operations at its Saint Leo campus and Tampa Support Center on Wednesday, September 4. At that time, all personnel will be required to return to work. Please note that during the closure (Sunday, September 1 – Tuesday, September 3), only "emergency essential personnel" are expected to be on campus. Supervisors will notify essential personnel on when to report to work. Because the storm's trajectory may change, please continue to check this site before reporting to work.

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August 30, 2019, 6 p.m. ET

Update on Hurricane Dorian: Class cancellation and closures extended

Saint Leo University is continuing to monitor the path of Hurricane Dorian. Because of the uncertainty of the storm's path, we are unable to determine when normal operations will resume, but we will update this information as we continue to learn more. It is possible additional cancellations and closures may occur. Thank you for your flexibility and understanding as the university continues to react to the changes in Hurricane Dorian's forecast. We ask that you continue to monitor this site for updated information. University officials are meeting twice daily and will issue an update at least once per day. You may anticipate more frequent updates as the storm approaches.

For now, the following cancellations and closures are in place:

University Campus: Closed for normal operations from Sunday, September 1, through Tuesday, September 3. Classes cancelled from Sunday, September 1, through Wednesday, September 4.
University Campus Lion's Lair: Closed beginning at 8 p.m. on Sunday, September 1.
University Campus Lion's Express: Final pick-up is at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 31.
East Pasco Education Center (including PHSC education offices): Closed and classes are canceled Sunday, September 1, through Wednesday, September 4.
Tampa Education Center: Closed and classes are canceled Sunday, September 1, through Tuesday, September 3.
MacDill Education Center: Closed and classes are canceled Sunday, September 1, through Tuesday, September 3.
Lakeland Education Center: Closed and classes are canceled Sunday, September 1, through Tuesday, September 3.
Ocala Education Center: Closed and classes are canceled Sunday, September 1, through Tuesday, September 3.
Mayport Education Offices: Closed and classes are canceled. Please check back for updates regarding reopening.

Be sure to continue to check our website – https://www.saintleo.edu – as additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

University Campus Students

In hurricane conditions, students on University Campus are relocated to three primary buildings, which serve as hurricane shelters. Students will be housed in classrooms and hallways for the duration of the storm. Students who have the option to travel home or stay with friends are asked to do so. We encourage students who will be traveling to do so as soon as possible to avoid the travel congestion associated with hurricane evacuations.

Please help the university identify if you are staying on campus for the duration of the storm or if you plan to leave campus and seek arrangements with family and friends. Use the Student Storm Tracker, available at http://www.saintleo.edu/residence, to update your information. The username is your Saint Leo email address, and the password is the same as your current portal password.

If you plan to stay on campus, please note that the dining hall will maintain normal weekend hours until we initiate shelter protocol. At that time, meals will be delivered to residence halls on an announced schedule. Additional details will be provided as the storm approaches.

Online Students

If you, your instructors, or your location is closed or unavailable, D2L will be updated to include changes to your coursework and assignments that you may complete.

Employees

The university will be closed for normal operations from Sunday, September 1, through Tuesday, September 3. During the closure, only "emergency essential personnel" are expected to be on campus. All other faculty and staff should remain off campus until the university reopens. Because of the uncertainty of the storm's path, we are unable to determine when normal university operations will resume, but we will update this information as we continue to learn more.

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August 29, 2019, 6 p.m. ET

ATHLETICS - The University will be closed from Sunday thru at least Tuesday. The following are open Saturday: fitness center, pool, Marion Bowman Activities Center, ATC. Practice can be held Saturday but Sunday-Tuesday everything will be closed and remain closed until the University gives the okay.

Preparing for Hurricane Dorian

Saint Leo University is continuing to monitor the path of Hurricane Dorian and has made the decision to close several locations starting Sunday, September 1 through Tuesday, September 3. The university anticipates reopening on Wednesday, September 4, but this date may change based on changes in the storm forecast.

The following locations will be closed:

University Campus
East Pasco Education Center
Tampa Education Center
MacDill Education Center
Lakeland Education Center
Ocala Education Center

As a reminder, in hurricane conditions students on University Campus are relocated to three primary buildings, which serve as hurricane shelters. Students will be housed in classrooms and hallways for the duration of the storm. Students who have the option to travel home or stay with friends are strongly encouraged to do so. We encourage students who will be traveling to do so as soon as possible to avoid the travel congestion associated with hurricane evacuations. Faculty have been asked to be flexible with absences and due dates during the storm.

Additionally, all students living on campus should take the following steps to prepare for the storm:

Move personal items away from windows and off the floor. Take valuables home.
Turn off and unplug your computer. Cover your computer and electronics with plastic or garbage bags to prevent possible water damage.
Ensure your windows are closed tightly and locked and close your blinds.
If you have a therapy or service animal, ensure you have a safe location for them and adequate food. The animal will be required to stay in its crate while in our campus shelter.
If you have special needs, ensure you have enough medicine and health care supplies in stock as stores may close.

___________________

This is a copy of a student communication distributed via email today.

Student Email – University Campus
August 29, 2019, 1 p.m. ET

Preparing for Hurricane Dorian

Saint Leo University is continuing to monitor the path of Hurricane Dorian. National Hurricane Center reports continue to show that Florida and our local area are in the storm's pathway. The most recent forecast suggests that we will likely experience tropical storm or Category 1-hurricane conditions.

As a result, the university has begun our hurricane preparations. It is likely that during Labor Day weekend, University Campus will be required to implement shelter in place procedures in residence halls located in the core of campus, or will evacuate to shelters on campus.

As a reminder, in hurricane conditions students are relocated to three primary buildings, which serve as hurricane shelters. Students will be housed in classrooms and hallways for the duration of the storm. Students who have the option to travel home or stay with friends are strongly encouraged to do so. We encourage students who will be traveling to do so as soon as possible to avoid the travel congestion associated with hurricane evacuations. Faculty have been asked to be flexible with absences and due dates during the storm.

Additionally, all students living on campus should take the following steps to prepare for the storm:

Move personal items away from windows and off the floor. Take valuables home.
Turn off and unplug your computer. Cover your computer and electronics with plastic or garbage bags to prevent possible water damage.
Ensure your windows are closed tightly and locked and close your blinds.
If you have a therapy or service animal, ensure you have a safe location for them and adequate food. The animal will be required to stay in its crate while in our campus shelter.
If you have special needs, ensure you have enough medicine and health care supplies in stock as stores may close.

Hurricanes and other severe weather events are not an unusual occurrence for our university as we have prevailed through many throughout our 130-year history. Your safety is our top priority. Feel assured that you have experienced professionals at the university who will continue to monitor Hurricane Dorian in partnership with appropriate agencies throughout the weekend.

Be sure to check our website – https://www.saintleo.edu – for updates, especially concerning classes on Tuesday. Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

___________________

Monitoring Hurricane Dorian

Saint Leo University is closely monitoring the projected path of Hurricane Dorian as it makes its way through the Caribbean. National Hurricane Center reports show that parts of Florida and Georgia are within the five-day projected pathway.

At this time, classes, business operations, and events on all campus and center locations are operating as scheduled.

The university will continue to monitor Hurricane Dorian in partnership with appropriate agencies throughout the week and into the weekend. Additional updates will be provided when more information becomes available. Look for information to be shared via Saint Leo University email and social media channels.

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