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birds-eye aerial view of Saint Leo University's campus

Weather Advisory

August 30, 2023 | 3:45 p.m.

Saint Leo issues “all clear” for University Campus, resumes classes on August 31

Saint Leo University issued an “all clear” for University Campus at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 30. Students, faculty, and staff who did not shelter on campus may now return to campus. Classes and normal business operations will resume for all locations on Thursday, August 31, with the exception of the Savannah Education Center. 

Classes will be canceled for the Savannah Education Center on Thursday, August 31, and the center will be closed for business.

The Dining Hall at University Campus will be serving dinner today from 4 to 7 p.m. Dining Hall hours and all dining facilities will return to normal operating hours on Thursday, August 31. 

Note: A modified class schedule will be in place for campus students so that our university community has the opportunity to attend the Mass of the Holy Spirit at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 31.

Students who are experiencing challenges because of Hurricane Idalia should notify their instructors. Faculty at all locations are being asked to offer extensions to deadlines and be flexible with regard to assignments for students impacted by the storm. Please understand that many of our faculty are also affected by the hurricane. We encourage our students to be flexible as we work to ensure their courses are covered. 

Archived Weather Communications

Saint Leo University announces shelter in place, plans for resuming classes

Saint Leo University students who spent the night in university shelters during Hurricane Idalia have been released back to their residence halls to shelter in place for Wednesday, August 30.

The “all clear,” which indicates when students, faculty, and staff may return to campus, is anticipated to be at 4 p.m., Wednesday, August 30, after rain bands have moved through the area. This means that the university will open for business at all locations on Thursday, August 31, with the exception of the Savannah Education Center. Classes will also resume on this date.

Classes at the Savannah Education Center are canceled on Thursday, August 31, and the center will be closed for business.

This morning, University Safety, Facilities Management, and Student Affairs have inspected all of the buildings, room by room, and the grounds at University Campus. It will be safe for faculty, staff, and students to walk around and return to campus once additional clean-up is done. For those who did not shelter on campus, do not return to campus until the all clear is given to protect both yourself and the staff working hard to clean up debris left from the storm. Until the all clear, no other individuals should be on campus without expressed permission from University Safety at (352) 588-8432.

University Campus students sheltering on campus were released with a take-out lunch to “shelter in place” in their residence halls at 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, August 30. The Dining Hall will be serving dinner today from 4 to 7 p.m. Dining Hall hours and all dining facilities will return to normal operating hours on Thursday, August 31. 

Students who are experiencing challenges because of Hurricane Idalia should notify their instructors. Faculty at all locations are being asked to offer extensions to deadlines and be flexible with regard to assignments for students impacted by the storm. Please understand that many of our faculty are also affected by the hurricane. We encourage our students to be flexible as we work to ensure their courses are covered. 

Saint Leo University announces cancelations, closures due to Hurricane Idalia

Saint Leo University has made the decision to cancel classes and close several locations in response to Hurricane Idalia. Classes will be canceled and the university will be closed for business at the following locations on Tuesday, August 29 and Wednesday, August 30: 

  • University Campus 

  • Center for Adult Learning at University Campus 
  • Tampa Education Center
  • MacDill Education Office

The university’s Savannah Education Center will cancel classes starting on Tuesday, August 29 and close for business on Wednesday, August 30 and Thursday, August 31.  The Key West Education Center Office will be open Wednesday, August 30 with classes resuming Thursday.

Online Classes

The university recognizes that this may be a challenging time for students and families as they prepare for the storm. Online classes will be canceled on August 29 and 30, and deadlines and assignments will be updated after the storm.

Information for 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 that are not carpeted for the duration of the storm. Students who have the option to travel home or stay with friends off campus are strongly urged 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. Students leaving campus must do so by Tuesday at 1 p.m. No one may return to campus until the all clear is given.

Residential students must notify the university of your plans to either leave campus or be in the shelter. Use the Student Storm Tracker to update your information. The username is your Saint Leo email address, and the password is the same as your current portal password.

Update Your Information in the Storm Tracker

If you plan to stay on campus during the storm, the Dining Hall’s last meal service will take place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for dinner on Tuesday, August 28. Check-in to the university shelters will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on August 28, and you will be notified of the building you are assigned via email.

Information for Employees

Due to the university closure, non-essential personnel should not report to work on Tuesday, August 29 and Wednesday, August 30. However, some professional staff will be asked to work remotely during this time to help students and families. Non-exempt (hourly) and exempt (salary) employees should mark their absence calendar as “University Closure.” Employees who are designated as essential personnel should speak with their supervisors for more information.

Note: University Campus is not a designated shelter for faculty, staff, or the public. Only designated essential personnel will be able to stay on campus during the storm. If you are unsure of whether or not you are essential personnel, please check with your supervisor.

For More Information

Please be sure to check the Saint Leo University website, email, and social media channels for additional information. Students and employees may also download the Everbridge app (Apple App or Google Play) to receive timely updates on their mobile devices.

Saint Leo University cancels classes August 29-30 due to Tropical Storm Idalia

Saint Leo University has made the decision to cancel classes starting at 5 p.m. ET on Monday, August 28, in response to Tropical Storm Idalia. Classes will be canceled at all university locations through Wednesday, August 30. Additionally, the university locations listed below will be closed during this time.

  • University Campus 
  • Center for Adult Learning at University Campus 
  • Tampa Education Center
  • MacDill Education Office
  • Key West Education Center

The university’s Savannah Education Center will remain open for business and visitors. However, students and employees should continue to check this website for any new updates relating to closures.

Online Classes

The university recognizes that this may be a challenging time for students and families as they prepare for the storm. Online classes will be canceled on August 29 and 30, and deadlines and assignments will be updated after the storm.

Information for 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 that are not carpeted for the duration of the storm. Students who have the option to travel home or stay with friends off campus are strongly urged 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. Students leaving campus must do so by Tuesday at 1 p.m. No one may return to campus until the all clear is given.

Residential students must notify the university of your plans to either leave campus or be in the shelter. Use the Student Storm Tracker to update your information. The username is your Saint Leo email address, and the password is the same as your current portal password.

Update Your Information in the Storm Tracker

If you plan to stay on campus during the storm, the Dining Hall’s last meal service will take place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for dinner on Tuesday, August 29. Check-in to the university shelters will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on August 29, and you will be notified of the building you are assigned via email.

Information for Employees

Due to the university closure, non-essential personnel should not report to work on Tuesday, August 29 and Wednesday, August 30. However, some professional staff will be asked to work remotely during this time to help students and families. Non-exempt (hourly) and exempt (salary) employees should mark their absence calendar as “University Closure.” Employees who are designated as essential personnel should speak with their supervisors for more information.

In preparation for the storm, faculty and staff at all potentially impacted locations are asked to take the following steps to secure their work areas before leaving:

  • Unplug and cover any computers or electrical devices in your office with plastic or garbage bags found in the bottom of your waste container to prevent water damage. 
  • Move objects away from your office windows.
  • Ensure your windows are closed tightly and locked. Close your blinds.

Note: University Campus is not a designated shelter for faculty, staff, or the public. Only designated essential personnel will be able to stay on campus during the storm. If you are unsure of whether or not you are essential personnel, please check with your supervisor.

For More Information

Please be sure to check the Saint Leo University website, email, and social media channels for additional information. Students and employees may also download the Everbridge app (Apple App or Google Play) to receive timely updates on their mobile devices.

Monitoring Tropical Storm Idalia
Sunday, August 27 | 8 p.m. ET

Saint Leo University is closely monitoring the projected path of Tropical Storm Idalia in the Gulf of Mexico. National Hurricane Center reports forecast the storm to become a hurricane with possible impact to Florida next week.

At this time, Saint Leo University classes and business operations on all campus and education center locations are operating as scheduled. 

The university will continue to monitor Tropical Strom Idalia in partnership with appropriate agencies. Students will be communicated to directly when more information becomes available.

Look for information to be shared via the Saint Leo University website, email, and social media channels. Students and employees may also download the Everbridge app (Apple App or Google Play) to receive timely updates on their mobile devices.