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Hurricane Milton - October 14, 2024 - 12:30 PM

Students: We are happy to report that all residential facilities will be open today, Monday, October 14 at 5 PM.

Please note: Fall Break is in session. Please monitor your email for a message from Student Life regarding reminders for Fall Break, and a follow-up regarding post-storm related information.

Hurricane Milton - October 12, 2024 - 3:00 PM

At this time, all residential facilities remain closed.

While the damage is manageable, we continue to work with emergency personnel to assess the campus to ensure all spaces are safe and operational.

Only emergency personel are currently on campus.

In-Season Student-Athletes

We are making preparations to return to practice on Monday. Please communicated with your coaches for further information.

Hurricane Milton - October 10, 2024 - 4:30 PM

First and foremost, we hope this notice finds you and your loved ones safe from Hurricane Milton. We are glad to report that students and staff who remained on campus are safe.

At this time, recovery crews are assessing the damage. Campus, including residences, will remain closed until further notice. Please continue to monitor your email, text messages, and this page for updates once a reopening date can be determined.

Staff

Campus will remain closed until Monday, October 14 at 8 AM. On Friday, October 11, essential personnel should report to work as directed by their supervisor. Facilities team members should contact the Safety Office regarding their work status for tomorrow.

Students

If you are participating in a Junior Journey trip, please continue communicating with your faculty trip leader for the most up-to-date details.

Hurricane Milton - October 8, 2024 - 12:00 PM

As Hurricane Milton approaches, we hope you and your loved ones remain safe.

Important Reminders:

• All residence facilities will close at 1:00 PM today, Tuesday, October 8.
• Classes are suspended from Wednesday, October 9, through Friday, October 11.
• Students must wait for an all-clear notification from the school before returning to campus. Please stay updated through your student email, social media, the college website, and text messages.
• Junior Journey trips are contingent upon the Tampa and Orlando airports re-opening. Again, please keep an eye on all communication channels for the latest updates.
• Roberts Academy will be closed Friday, October 11.

Hurricane Milton - October 6, 2024 - 4:00 PM

The College’s Emergency Management Team is closely monitoring the path of Hurricane Milton, which is predicted to develop into a hurricane that will impact our area this week. 

Based on the latest information available, the College is implementing the following:

Students are encouraged to make arrangements to return home, if possible. All students should implement their emergency plans. Only students approved for emergency shelter should consider remaining on campus. To review your plan, go to the Portal, select "Students" in the top navigation bar, and select "Emergency Plan" from the far-left navigation bar.

Classes: We will transition to remote instruction on Monday, October 7 and Tuesday, October 8.  However, classes are not required to meet virtually at their scheduled times. Students will receive a message from their faculty with instructions shortly. Classes are canceled on Wednesday, October 9, Thursday, October 10, and Friday, October 11.

Residence Halls and Temporary Emergency Shelter: Residences will close at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, October 8. All students and staff must vacate all campus residential facilities by Tuesday at 1:00 PM and will not be allowed back in the facilities until an all-clear is communicated by the College. Students should monitor their emails for a communication from Community Living for additional important information. 

• Temporary Emergency Shelter: The interior hallways of the Music Department will be a temporary emergency shelter for any students who are approved. Student Life will email all students an update regarding their emergency shelter status by Monday at noon. Those using the emergency shelter must report to Honeyman Pavilion by Tuesday, October 8 between 1 PM and 5:00 PM. 
• Widespread power outages are expected. The emergency shelter will support basic necessities; conveniences such as air conditioning will not be available in the event of a power outage. The emergency shelter is also unable to support any accommodations, including but not limited to ESAs, medical accommodations, dietary restrictions, etc. This emergency shelter location is selected to maximize student safety, but the conditions are not comfortable or ideal, and as such, we strongly recommend that students vacate campus if at all possible.

Dining Services: Dining facilities, including Wynee’s, will close at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, October 8. Students in the temporary emergency shelter on campus will be provided meals, beginning with dinner on Tuesday. Dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated in the emergency shelter. 

Transportation to Airports: Campus Safety will provide shuttles to Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Tampa International Airport (TPA) on Monday at 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM and Tuesday at 8:00 AM. Seats on the shuttle are first-come, first-served. Shuttles depart from the circle drive, in front of Wynee’s Bistro. For more information about shuttle services please contact the Office of Safety and Security at 863-680-4305.

We will make a decision regarding Junior Journey trips as soon as possible and will communicate via email and social media shortly. 

Staff: Campus will be fully operational on Monday and staff should plan to report to campus. Further information regarding campus operations and staff assignments for Tuesday through the remainder of the week is expected by noon Monday.

Roberts Academy: The Roberts Academy will be closed Tuesday, October 8, Wednesday, October 9, and Thursday, October 10. We will have normal school operations on Monday, October 7. Communication regarding operations on Friday, October 11, will be sent out later in the week. Parents and guardians should expect to receive an email from the school.

We encourage you to continue checking here and social media channels for updates. Should there be any changes to college operations, you will receive a notification via email and/or text.  

Thank you, 
¹û¶³´«Ã½ Emergency Management Team 

Tropical Depression #14 - October 5, 2024 - 1:30 PM

We are closely monitoring Tropical Depression #14, and while it could impact Florida this week, it is still too early to determine its exact path.

Our staff will continue to monitor weather developments and collaborate with Polk County Emergency personnel to ensure we are prepared should the storm affect our area.

Should there be any changes to college operations, the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ community will receive a notification via email and/or text. Additionally, students are reminded to proactively review their Emergency Plan on the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Portal. To review your plan, go to "Students" in the top navigation bar and select "Emergency Plan" from the far-left navigation bar.

Helpful Resources

Additionally, information about ¹û¶³´«Ã½ cancellations, closings, and openings are broadcast on TV channels WFLA 8, Bay News 9, WTSP 10, and WTVT 13; and radio stations WPCV 97.5 FM, WWRZ 98.3 FM, WONN 1230 AM, and WLKF 1430 AM.

If there is any significant change that impacts normal College operations and activities, the community will be alerted via the Web site and the text message system. The community may also call the emergency hotline at 863.680.4101 for updates.

As a preparedness measure, students and parents are encouraged to formulate a communication plan for use during an emergency. This plan should include a course of action to be taken should telephone and/or electronic service be disrupted.

For your convenience, here are some links that provide safety tips and storm tracking before, during and after a hurricane: