A Message from the President: Florida Tech Strong!

Dear Florida Tech community,

I’m pleased to report that the university has weathered Hurricane Milton with our trademark teamwork and perseverance. I want to personally thank all of you for your patience and diligence over the last few days.

A preliminary assessment of campus shows only minor damage and everyone safe. All power has been restored this afternoon and our teams will conduct a more thorough assessment of all buildings tomorrow morning.

At this time, university offices remain closed through the end of the day Friday. Panther Dining Hall is anticipated to re-open for residential students by 10 a.m. Friday. Remember, everyone should utilize caution when moving around campus as there is some debris that still must be cleared from certain areas, including parking lots. We anticipate campus being better accessible beginning at noon Friday, and are planning to open our Clemente Center to students at that time.

Regular university operations are anticipated to resume Saturday. Fall Break remains in effect for students Monday and Tuesday, with all classes resuming as scheduled on Wednesday. All staff return to work and offices re-open Tuesday following the Monday Indigenous People's Day/Columbus Day holiday.

I want to take a moment to commend our faculty, staff and students for the can-do spirit and commitment to community that they have demonstrated during this storm. No matter the adversity, I’m confident our people remain our greatest asset and they are indeed Florida Tech Strong! Other communities did not make out so well during the hurricane, and I know we all stand ready to support them in any way that we can.

Enjoy the holiday break at the beginning of next week! I wish you well and look forward to seeing you on campus again soon.

Sincerely,

John Nicklow, Ph.D.
President

Advisory #4

6 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024

Florida Tech classes and events remain canceled and all offices closed through the end of the day Friday, Oct. 11, in anticipation of impacts from Hurricane Milton. The readiness phase is ending as the storm approaches and is anticipated to bring hurricane force wind and rain to the area. All members of the university community are encouraged to focus on their personal safety.

Residential students remaining on campus should be aware that resources, power, and emergency support may be limited depending on storm effects. Students should be ready to consolidate their living arrangements at the guidance of Residence Life as weather conditions warrant and should also have a “go bag” ready should evacuation to a county hurricane shelter become necessary.

 

Advisory #3

7 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 7, 2024

Given the strengthening intensity and storm track of Hurricane Milton with anticipated impacts for Melbourne of hurricane force winds and rain, Florida Tech is now canceling classes all day Tuesday, Oct. 8 with continuing cancelations through the end of the day Friday, Oct. 11.

Students are urged to leave campus no later than Tuesday if they may safely do so. Stay with family and friends if you are able. Residential students remaining on campus should be aware that resources and emergency support could be limited depending on storm effects. Students should be ready to consolidate their living arrangements at the guidance of Residence Life if weather conditions warrant and should also have a “go bag” ready should evacuation to a county hurricane shelter become necessary.

University offices will remain open Tuesday, Oct. 8 through noon. Offices will then close for the remainder of the week.

 

Advisory #2

12:45 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 7, 2024

In order to maximize safety for all, Florida Tech is additionally modifying operations in advance of Hurricane Milton. Classes and university activities are canceled and offices are closed beginning Tuesday, Oct. 8 at noon and continuing through the end of the day Friday, Oct. 11.

While no evacuations are planned, we strongly encourage students to make arrangements to leave campus by Tuesday afternoon. Stay with family and friends if you are able. University residence halls will be open throughout the week for any remaining residential students who will shelter in place. Many students may already have out of town plans with Fall Break scheduled Monday, Oct. 14 and Tuesday, Oct. 15.

Dining services for residential students will continue throughout the day Wednesday, Oct. 9, and then dining will close. On Wednesday, residential students may pick up to-go meals for use during the storm. Dining operations are anticipated to resume some time of the day Friday, Oct. 11.

 

Advisory #1

2:45 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024

The Florida Tech administration is carefully monitoring Hurricane Milton as it moves through the Gulf of Mexico and is modifying operations.

Normal operations are planned and all classes will meet as scheduled Monday, Oct. 7 and Tuesday morning, Oct. 8.

Classes are canceled beginning Tuesday, Oct. 8 at noon so that members of the campus community can prepare for the storm. Classes are canceled all day Wednesday, Oct. 9. Classes are canceled Thursday, Oct. 10, at least until noon.

Classes are scheduled to resume virtually Thursday, Oct. 10, at noon. Classes will be delivered virtually Thursday afternoon and all day Friday, Oct. 11.

University residence halls will remain open throughout the week. The current expectation is that residential students will shelter in place.

University offices will close beginning Tuesday, Oct. 8 at noon and remain closed Wednesday, Oct. 9. Offices are anticipated to re-open Thursday, Oct. 10 at noon.

University events are canceled beginning Tuesday, Oct. 8 at noon and tentatively set to resume Thursday afternoon, Oct. 10.

These arrangements are being announced with as much notice as possible as students may have out of town plans with Fall Break scheduled Monday, Oct. 14 and Tuesday, Oct. 15.

The next advisory updating the university’s plans will be issued midday Monday, Oct. 7, including additional details regarding dining operations for residential students.