Hurricane Safety

June through November is hurricane season in Florida. To provide for your safety, the University has developed emergency hurricane procedures. Once a hurricane watch is announced on the campus by the administration, immediate action will be taken. Your safety and the safety of others are dependent upon adherence to established procedures. Each resident must report to their RA in the designated area of their respective hall.

Students who choose to remain on-campus must abide by all security precautions and instructions issued by the vice-president of Student Affairs or his delegate. Resident students who choose to stay off-campus must give their RA the name of the person with whom they are staying and an address and telephone number where they may be reached. This information will be communicated only to parents or guardians.

In the event a hurricane threatens the South Florida area, the National Weather Service will issue warning information through public releases through the press, radio, and television. Pay close attention to official announcements from the National Hurricane Center and the Office of Residential Life. Do not pay attention to rumors. Current information will be available through the following sources:

• posted on the bulletin boards outside RA rooms
• posted on the door of each room
• broadcast on the Barry TV channel
• posted on bulletin board outside the Office of Residential Life

Should evacuation from the residence halls be necessary, the library and Thompson Hall will be used as shelters. Each residence hall, as well as other University housing units, will be assigned to a specific shelter. The shelters will be manned by Residential Life staff, as well as staff from Health Services, Pubic Safety, Housekeeping, and Maintenance. Food service will be provided in a limited capacity.

Failure to follow policies and procedures pertaining to hurricane evacuation and shelter occupancy will result in disciplinary action.

Houses / Apartments / Hotel Residents

Residents of University houses and apartments must follow evacuation procedures. No one will be allowed to stay in the houses and/or apartments or the Best Western once the Office of Residential Life issues an evacuation notice.

When a hurricane approaches, the beach areas are often evacuated before any other area. In the event Miami Beach is to be evacuated before residents are moved into the shelters, provisions will be made for our residents of the Best Western.