All 40 Florida Public Higher Education Institutions Have Resumed Classes Post-Hurricane Ian

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – The Florida Department of Education announced that of Florida’s 40 public higher education institutions, all of them have resumed classes following closures from Hurricane Ian. The storm made landfall just two weeks ago.

The Department said its commissioner – Manny Diaz, Jr. – organized a hurricane response strike group to facilitate “quick responses to emergency needs” and to help schools reopen.

Florida Atlantic University’s softball team, located in Boca Raton, for example, traveled to Fort Myers to assist recovery and cleanup.

“Florida state colleges have stepped up to help their students, communities and neighboring institutions as our state recovers from Hurricane Ian,” Diaz, Jr. said. “I am pleased to see all 40 state colleges and universities in Florida’s top-ranked higher education system now resume classes for all students and faculty.”

“In the wake of Hurricane Ian’s impact on Florida, the State University System has worked closely together to provide support to our impacted campuses and surrounding communities during this difficult time,” said Marshall M. Criser III, chancellor of the State University System of Florida. “I am proud that before, during, and after the storm, our universities have leaned in to ensure that our students and employees received the necessary resources based on their individual and collective needs.”

To respond to Ian, the Department did the following:

• Commissioner Diaz organized Florida College System presidents into a hurricane response strike group that facilitated quick responses to emergency needs in the immediate aftermath of the storm. The group continues to assist with long-term needs aimed at restoring higher education institutions to their full operating ability.
• This week, the Department of Education joined a team of presidents, students and staff from five state colleges in the north and central Florida regions to collect and deliver essential supplies, while state colleges across west and south Florida did the same for the state colleges most affected in Southwest Florida.
• The Florida College System Foundation has provided relief dollars and gas cards to assist students’ return to the classroom at multiple state colleges in Southwest Florida.

Member colleges of the Florida College System and State University System provided support as well. Read more here.

Updated information can be accessed at the department’s “Hurricane Ian Information” webpage: Hurricane Ian Information.