Hurricane Dorian

Hurricane Dorian Update
Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2:45 p.m.

Hurricane Dorian’s impact on the DeLand campus was limited to tropical storm force winds and heavy rain. The university did not lose power and this afternoon has been able to restart the chiller plant, and is currently bringing residence halls and classrooms back online. Information Technology staff will be checking classrooms to ensure they are fully operational.

Classes will resume on Friday morning, and follow the Wednesday schedule. The university realizes that not all students, faculty and staff will be able to return to campus by Friday. 

Students, faculty, and staff who have traveled to the coastal regions of Georgia and the Carolinas, and those who rely on flights to return to Florida, may simply be unable to travel on Thursday. Students may also have responsibilities on Friday that will make having an alternate day class schedule difficult, (Wednesday’s heavy class schedule in place of Friday’s lighter class schedule). Students are asked to reach out to faculty if their travel plans or responsibilities will delay their ability to return to campus in time for Friday class, and discuss their options.

Our faculty are known to champion the needs of students, and the advantage of Stetson University is the ability of students and faculty to connect with each other.

Here is a quick list of campus locations and planning:

DeLand

  • Stetson University’s DeLand campus will reopen at 2 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 5. Staff and faculty should return to work at their regular time on Friday, unless you have received communication from your supervisor that you need to arrive earlier.
  • The CUB reopens Thursday at 8 a.m. with brunch being served at 10 a.m. and dinner at 5 p.m.
  • The Lynn Business Center will reopen at 8 a.m.
  • DeLand residence halls will be reopening throughout the day for students to return starting at noon on Thursday. Returning students should expect to receive communications from Residential Living and Learning as specific locations come online. 
  • Please expect basic services as the residence halls and other buildings open, i.e., water and electricity. The university cannot guarantee that all buildings will be fully cooled with internet and WiFi connectivity. 
  • The Hollis Center will reopen (with the pool closed and no group exercise classes) on Thursday night from 5-11 p.m. and regular hours on Friday, Sept. 6.
  • The dupont-Ball Library will reopen Thursday, Sept. 5, 5 p.m.
  • Football will resume its schedule on Saturday against Louisiana College at 6 p.m. Please check GoHatters.com for information on tailgating on Saturday.
  • Men’s Soccer will play University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, on Friday, 7 p.m., at the ATC.
  • The Chamber Orchestra Concert scheduled for Friday, Sept. 6, is rescheduled for Oct. 4. If you already purchased a ticket it will be honored on the new date.

Celebration

  • The Center at Celebration will reopen and classes will resume on Thursday, Sept. 4.

Gulfport and Tampa

  • The Tampa Law Center and the College of Law in Gulfport will reopen, and classes will resume as of Thursday morning, Sept. 4.

DeLand

For undergraduate classes, there are two dates built into our academic calendar to accommodate for class days missed due to a hurricane:  Saturday, Dec. 7 and Monday, Dec. 9 (note: exams begin on Tuesday, Dec. 10). Expect additional communication from faculty and Academic Affairs about how these days will be utilized to be sent by early next week.

If your family was affected by the hurricane, there may be additional need-based aid available to you to help with any hardships or extraordinary expenses incurred. Students who have not yet accessed all available need-based aid sources, and who have additional need-based eligibility, may qualify for an increase in loan or other need-based state and federal aid. Please refer to the following for additional information on filing a financial aid appeal: https://www.stetson.edu/administration/financial-planning/forms/appeals-and-special-circumstances.php.

For graduate students, considerations for making up class days in each of the graduate programs will be made in consultation with the individual program deans, directors and chairs.

The university recognizes and appreciates the quick and diligent work of Campus Life and Student Success, Facilities and Public Safety staff in safely closing the residence halls and campuses, securing facilities, powering down our buildings, and now bringing Stetson University back online and our community back to campus.

The National Weather Service, NWS, is asking for any photos of damage or erosion along the coast for documentation purposes. If any member of the Stetson community would like to contribute photos to the NWS, please send your images with location description to Janie Graziani at [email protected].

This is the final scheduled update; however, additional information may be posted as needed.

Hurricane Dorian Update
Tuesday, Sept. 3, 10 a.m.

There is no additional information from the Emergency Management Team at this time. This team will continue to meet today and Wednesday to plan for resumption of classes, make-up days (already built in to the Academic Calendar) and best opportunity to power up and restore services to the DeLand campus.

The National Weather Service indicates Volusia County is expecting high winds and rain from today, 6 p.m., through Wednesday, 8 p.m.

To reiterate:
DeLand campus — remains closed through Thursday.
Center at Celebration — continuing to evaluate best date to re-open.
Gulfport/Tampa — plans to re-open on Thursday, Sept. 5.

Next update: Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2 p.m.

Hurricane Dorian Update
Monday, Sept. 2, 8 p.m.

We appreciate all the feedback we’ve received since the most recent update.

The Emergency Management team continues to meet and we expect to provide additional information in our scheduled update at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 3. Updates for the community will be posted as information becomes available.

To help clarify, the earliest the DeLand campus would be able to resume classes is Friday, if it is able to repower its facilities and bring them all back online with appropriate cooling and technology. That won’t be known until after Hurricane Dorian has passed and the university staff is able to review and assess the status of the campus. In all of its planning the university is seeking to balance academic needs and the impact the hurricane has had on faculty, students and staff. Our goal is to bring the Stetson community back together as soon as possible.

The university understands that not all students will be able to return to campus by Friday. If we are able to hold classes on Friday, we encourage students to reach out to faculty about their individual travel plans and circumstances. Stetson will encourage faculty to work with their students impacted by Hurricane Dorian. Our faculty are known to champion the needs of students, and the advantage of Stetson University is the ability of students and faculty to connect with each other.

Hurricane Dorian Update
Monday, Sept. 2, 4:20 p.m.

DeLand

Classes at Stetson University’s DeLand campus are canceled for Thursday, Sept. 5. Faculty and staff do not have to be on campus unless notified by your supervisor to come in on Thursday.

If DeLand campus has power and no significant damage to buildings, we are optimistic that we will be able to re-open residence halls and athletic training facilities on Thursday late afternoon or early evening. In that case, we would resume normal operations on Friday, Sept. 6. On that day, students and faculty will follow Wednesday’s schedule of classes. We will provide more details as plans become more firm over the next few days.

Center at Celebration

We continue to evaluate whether Celebration campus will re-open on Thursday.

Gulfport/Tampa

Stetson University College of Law will remain closed through Wednesday, Sept. 4. We plan to reopen on Thursday, Sept. 5.

Next update, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 10 a.m.

Hurricane Dorian Update
Monday, Sept. 2, 1:30 p.m.

We are still assessing the situation and will be able to give you a comprehensive update on all Stetson’s campuses around 3:30 p.m.

Hurricane Dorian Update
Sunday, Sept. 1, 12:40 p.m.

The National Weather Service is forecasting the track of Hurricane Dorian to move closer to the Florida coastline as it turns north, but still to remain off the coast at this time. The NWS warns there is still a risk of landfall in Florida.

It is currently a Category 5 hurricane with 180 mph winds, moving west at 7 mph. Tropical storm force winds are expected along the Central Florida coast during the early morning hours of Tuesday, Sept. 3, into Wednesday, Sept. 4, and 2-4 inches of rain in the DeLand area.

Stetson University’s campuses in DeLand and Celebration remain closed through Wednesday, Sept. 4. The Gulfport and Tampa campus locations remain closed through Tuesday, Sept. 3, with an update planned as the storm comes closer and its path becomes more clear.

The university continues to monitor the storm and will assess the situation at all locations after Dorian passes. Students, faculty and staff are asked to continue to monitor their email, Stetson Today and the Stetson University Facebook page

The university will make decisions on the reopening of campuses and resumption of classes based on the impact of wind, rain and possible power outages.

A reminder to all students, faculty and staff: When the campuses are closed, only emergency or essential personnel are allowed on campus. Please do not return to campus until the university has announced it is safe to do so.

Next scheduled update is Monday, Sept.2, 1:30-2 p.m.

Hurricane Dorian Update
Saturday, Aug. 31, 1 p.m.

The National Weather Service is now forecasting Hurricane Dorian to remain off the coast of Florida and make landfall in the Carolinas. Dorian is forecast to reach Category 5 in the next few days.  There remains uncertainty in the exact path of the hurricane and there is still a chance of sustained tropical storm force winds during the early morning hours of Tuesday, Sept. 3, and 4-6 inches of rain in the DeLand area.

Stetson University’s campuses in DeLand and Celebration will be closed through Wednesday, Sept. 4. During that time, the path of the hurricane should become more certain. The university will continue to monitor the storm and make an appropriate decision on resumption of class schedules, and re-opening dates for campuses and learning centers.

The university will assess the situation in DeLand after Dorian passes. If there is no power loss and wind and rain impact are minimal, the university will attempt to restart technology systems and bring the cooling plant back online to allow the reopening of residence halls at the earliest possible time.

Faculty, students and staff are asked to continue to monitor their email, Stetson Today and the Stetson University Facebook page for updates. The university will make announcements on the return of faculty, students and staff to campus as the path and timing of the hurricane becomes more clear.

When the campuses are closed, students, faculty and staff are not allowed on campus, with the exception of emergency or essential personnel, so please do not return to campus until we tell you it is safe to do so.

Next scheduled update is Sunday, Sept.1, 1:30-2 p.m.

Hurricane Dorian Update
Friday, Aug. 30, 2:15 p.m.

The National Weather Service is forecasting Hurricane Dorian to reach a Category 4 before making landfall on the southeast or east central coast of Florida. Some locations could experience 24-36 hours of tropical storm force winds and/or 6-12 hours of hurricane force winds especially along and to the right of the storm track. Volusia County could begin experiencing tropical storm force winds by early evening on Monday. Significant rainfall of 6-10 inches is expected with isolated areas receiving up to 15 inches.

Classes are canceled at Stetson’s DeLand campus as of 12 p.m., and staff have already begun the process of shutting down the campus. Closings by campus are listed below.

When the campuses are shut down, students, faculty and staff are not allowed on campus except for emergency or essential personnel, so please do not return to campus until we tell you it is safe to do so.

Campuses closed:

Gulfport and Tampa will be shut down by 5 p.m. Friday.

Celebration will be shut down by 5:30 p.m. Friday.

DeLand will be shut down by 1 p.m. Saturday.

All campuses remain closed through Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Note: The Emergency Management Team will meet again Saturday, Aug. 31, to determine whether or not to remain closed on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

Athletics:

Athletics events at home on Friday afternoon and Saturday until 1 p.m. are still on. Teams that are on the road will remain on the road and relocate off campus after their competitions. These include: Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, and Volleyball.

Staff and faculty:

With our new cloud-based phone system, calls can be answered using your computer and/or mobile phone via the 8×8 Virtual Office app. It is not required, but if you plan to collaborate with colleagues while campus is closed it might make it easier for you to use the Virtual Office Desktop. Press here for more information and the download links. Please let IT know if you have any questions or concerns by contacting the Help Desk at [email protected].

Throughout the closure, the Emergency Management Team will monitor the storm’s progress and provide updates as needed. Students, faculty, staff and the Stetson community are asked to check our Facebook page for updates, including planning and timing for re-opening campuses. As soon as we know, we will let you know so that you can make travel arrangements to return.

You can find information about travel planning on Stetson’s website.

Next scheduled update is Saturday, Aug. 31, 1-1:30 p.m.

With classes canceled after noon Friday, Stetson students were busy packing up and leaving the DeLand campus before Hurricane Dorian makes landfall. Photo by Faith Jones/Stetson University

Hurricane Dorian Update
Friday, Aug. 30, 6:30 a.m.

The following information is from WORLD for international students:

  • International students should bring their I-20 or DS-2019 to WORLD if they require a travel signature. Travel signatures are good for one year from the day they are signed.
  • WORLD staff will be available to sign Forms I-20 and DS-2019 until the university officially closes.
  • The United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires a signed I-20 or DS-2019 to allow you to return to the United States in the event that you need to leave the country.
  • Stetson University must know the location of international students at any time. Therefore, all international students must complete the Pre-Evacuation Communication form found in the Evacuation Communication Plan in your Stetson email.
  • International students must take any identification and international paperwork (I-20, DS 2019, passport and visa), as well as cash, medications, cell phones and chargers.
Stetson Facilities Management crews tie down patio furniture on Friday morning and prepare the DeLand campus for the approaching storm.

Hurricane Dorian Update
Thursday, Aug. 29, 6 p.m.

After this afternoon’s weather briefing, there has been little change in the direction of Hurricane Dorian. It is expected that the storm will slow its forward movement allowing it to gain strength over the warm water. It is still forecast to become a Category 3-4 hurricane.

It could bring 24 hours of tropical storm force winds to parts of Florida, and 6-12 hours of hurricane force winds. The largest effects of wind and rain will be along and north of the path of the hurricane.

Gulfport/Tampa

Stetson’s College of Law has canceled classes as of Saturday and the campus will remain closed through Tuesday.

Athletics

Football game on Saturday is canceled. Athletics events on Friday afternoon and Saturday until 1 p.m. are still on. Teams that are on the road will remain on the road and relocate off campus after their competitions. These include: Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Cross Country and Volleyball.

Parents can find information about travel planning on Stetson’s website.

Next scheduled update is Friday, Aug. 30, 1-1:30 p.m.

Hurricane Dorian Update
Thursday, Aug. 29, 2:20 p.m.

Stetson University’s DeLand campus and residence halls will close Saturday, Aug. 31, at 1 p.m. Students are asked to return home or seek shelter with friends and family. All students need to fill out the Student Hurricane Evacuation Information Form, which is available through Housing Central on MyStetson. This will tell Residential Living and Learning whether you have a place to go (home/family/friends) or need accommodations. If you need accommodations, RLL will get in touch with you and make arrangements for you to stay in an emergency shelter once they open. Staff will stay with students in the shelter.

The DeLand campus will close on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Classes have been canceled:

  • For the DeLand campus as of 12 p.m. (noon), Friday, Aug. 30 through Tuesday, Sept. 3.
  • At Celebration Saturday, Aug. 31 through Tuesday, Sept. 3.
  • In Gulfport and Tampa are also cancelled Saturday, Aug. 31 through Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Important information for residential students:

  • Make sure to fill your gas tank well before you expect to travel.
  • Transport your pets away from campus. Be sure to have their paperwork, medications and food with you. A pet-friendly shelter will not let you drop off your pet. You will be required to stay at the shelter with your pet.
  • When you leave your residence hall, close and lock all windows. Unplug electrical devices and lift them off the floor. Empty refrigerators. Take out the trash.
  • Make sure to bring with you before you leave:
    • Medications
    • Special dietary needs
    • Passports and other documents that are hard to replace
    • Cash (ATMs may not be working after the storm)
    • Identification including your student ID
    • Keys to your car and residence

Hours of operation for other services:

  • DeLand’s Lynn Commons will remain open until 1 p.m. on Saturday for lunch. Other food services (coffee shop, Johnny Rockets, Einstein’s) will close at 9 p.m. on Friday.
  • The Hollis Center will be normal hours on Friday, 6:30 a.m.-7 p.m. It will be closed Saturday-Tuesday.

Other cancelations:

  • All outside group meetings and events at the DeLand campus are canceled through Tues., Sept. 3.
  • All Athletics home events scheduled after Saturday, Aug. 31, at 1 p.m. through Tuesday, Sept. 3, on the DeLand campus are canceled.

The university will maintain essential personnel crews through end of business on Friday and all staff should check with their supervisor before leaving Friday at 12 p.m.

According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Dorian continues its path toward east Central Florida and is expected make landfall sometime between late Sunday and lingering through early Tuesday. Forward motion is slowing as it approaches the state.

The hurricane is expected to strengthen to a Category 3 through Friday and reach Category 4 over the weekend. The direction of the storm has shifted slightly south. Actual impact remains fluid, and students, faculty and staff are advised to continue to monitor the situation. 

At this time, extreme winds remain close to the eye of the storm. The probability of tropical storm force winds near Orlando remains around 70% and hurricane force winds in the +20% range. Florida’s coastline should expect winds sometime around midday Sunday. Rainfall associated with Dorian is expected to be 5-10 inches. 

Hurricane Watches along the Florida coast are expected by Friday late afternoon.

Next update scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 29, 7-7:30 p.m. 

Hurricane Dorian Update for Stetson College of Law
Thursday, Aug. 29, at 11:30 a.m.

Dear Stetson Community,

Based on the track of Hurricane Dorian, the potential impact on the Tampa Bay area on Monday evening and Tuesday morning, all classes at the College of Law (Gulfport and Tampa) are canceled on Saturday and Tuesday.  We will continue to monitor the storm and its impact on our campuses. We will update you tomorrow about all other activities.

As a reminder, the cancellation of classes on Saturday and Tuesday also means you are not expected to attend local off-campus externships and clinics.  

As you prepare for the storm, please consult the following link for information about shelters and to register your cell phone numbers for text messages from the College of Law through My Stetson: https://www.stetson.edu/law/communications/preparedness/home/

Also, you can check here for updates from Pinellas County: http://www.pinellascounty.org/emergency/

We will be communicating with you by text message, email, and, the Stetson College of Law home page.  Should you have any additional questions, please contact our Office of Public Safety at 727.343.1262 or [email protected].  

Please stay safe. We will provide more information tomorrow.

Best,
Dean Alexandre

Hurricane Dorian Update
Thursday, Aug. 29, 10 a.m.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), Hurricane Dorian is better organized since the last update and is now past Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. It is expected to strengthen over the next three days and become a major hurricane (Category 3 or greater) by Saturday.

Stetson University is canceling classes at its DeLand campus after 12 p.m., Friday, Aug. 30. Classes are cancelled for all four campuses — DeLand, Celebration, the Tampa Center and College of Law in Gulfport — Saturday, Aug. 31 through Tuesday, Sept. 3. 

Campuses remain open at this time, and the university emergency team will meet midday today to discuss further actions. Undergraduate students are encouraged to keep in touch with family and friends.

This morning’s National Hurricane Center update indicates Hurricane Dorian will make landfall late Monday into Tuesday morning. It is expected to become a major hurricane, category 3 or greater, by Friday afternoon.

The NWS is predicting landfall in the vicinity of Florida’s East Central coastline, and there is a greater than 70% chance of tropical storm force winds in the Orlando area, with a greater than 20% chance of hurricane force winds as Dorian makes its way across the Florida Peninsula. 

Winds from Dorian are not expected until Saturday evening at the earliest and possibly Sunday morning at current speed. In addition to high winds, Dorian is expected to bring storm surge along the coast and rains of 4-to-8 inches.

Next update is expected between 1-1:30 p.m., today, Thursday, Aug. 29.

Important Information for Residential Students

  • Plan now on what you will do if the campus has to close and share your plan with Stetson Residential Living and Learning by filling out the Student Hurricane Evacuation Information Form, which is available through Housing Central on MyStetson. Also share your plan with family and friends. (A decision on closing – and when – will be discussed today by the emergency teams.)
  • Make sure to fill your gas tank well before you expect to travel.
  • Transport your pets away from campus. Be sure to have their paperwork, medications and food with you. A pet-friendly shelter will not let you drop off your pet. You will be required to stay at the shelter with your pet.
  • When you leave your residence hall, close and lock all windows. Unplug electrical devices and lift them off the floor. Empty refrigerators.
  • Make sure to bring with you before you leave:
    • Medications
    • Special dietary needs
    • Passports and other documents that are hard to replace
    • Cash (ATMs may not be working after the storm)
    • Identification including your student ID
    • Keys to your car and residence

Other Tips and Links:

Get a NOAA weather radio (and batteries) or download a weather application if you don’t already have one. Track the storm on the National Hurricane Center’s website.

Monitor Stetson Today or Stetson’s Facebook page, and your Stetson email for messages about the storm.

A complete list of “Go Kit” items can be found in the Stetson University Hurricane Preparedness Guide.

Hurricane Dorian Update
Wed., Aug. 28, 6:40 p.m.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), Hurricane Dorian is better organized since the last update and is now past Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. It is expected to strengthen over the next three days and become a major hurricane (Category 3 or greater) by Saturday.

The track has shifted slightly south and it is currently forecast to approach east Central Florida late Sunday into Monday morning. The National Weather Service expects tropical storm force winds on the coast as early as Friday evening or Saturday morning. They expect the storm to weaken as it crosses the state.

The Stetson Emergency Management Team continues to monitor the situation and meets again tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 29. We will provide the next update around 1-1:30 p.m. In addition to posting updates on Stetson Today, we also post updates on the Stetson University Facebook page.

In the event of a hurricane, the university will close the campus and ask students, faculty and staff to evacuate. Residential Living and Learning will post a digital Housing form and ask all students living on campus to complete the form to let the university know their destination. It also provides information about what to do before leaving, such as cleaning out refrigerators and remembering to lock their door.

The university does not maintain a hurricane-rated shelter, and works with local emergency management agencies to place students in shelters if they cannot evacuate. For students who do not go home or stay with friends, we have staff who will stay with them at a local shelter. It takes approximately 24 hours to safely power down the university’s cooling plant, computers and technology, and secure residence halls and classrooms. Once the weather has passed and power has been restored, it takes up to a full day or more to return the campus to normal conditions. We will reopen when we determine that the campus is safe and have reactivated electricity, fire safety systems and HVAC.

We will communicate more details about our plans throughout the day tomorrow.

Update, 4 p.m. Wednesday: The storm was just recently upgraded to a hurricane. Maximum sustained winds are 75 mph.

Stetson University Emergency Management and Policy teams are actively monitoring the progression of Hurricane Dorian in the Caribbean. Currently, the storm is approximately 1,341 miles southeast of DeLand and moving NW at 13 miles per hour, and is expected to slow forward speed as it moves through the Caribbean, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

The storm’s exact path and strength are still fluid, but conditions are favorable for strengthening Thursday night into Saturday as the system tracks northwest. Dorian is forecast to become a major hurricane Saturday into Sunday. The system could turn northeast toward the Carolinas, dissipate inland over northeast Florida, or cross the peninsula into the Gulf of Mexico.

Stetson has done extensive planning for storm-related events such as this. Additionally, the university Emergency Management and Policy teams have begun meeting and communicating about this particular event. We will keep you informed of any decisions regarding the campus. Our next communication about Hurricane Dorian will be 7-7:30 p.m.

Now is the time to review personal emergency plans and prepare to launch them if it becomes necessary. Public Safety’s Hurricane Planning Guide provides tips and information to help you prepare. Hurricane season runs through Nov. 30.