Florida State University tentatively plans to reopen its Panama City campus and resume face-to-face classes Monday, Oct. 29.
“Reopening our campus is an important part of helping Panama City recover from Hurricane Michael,” said Randy Hanna, dean of FSU Panama City. “Great things were happening in Panama City before the storm, and Panama City will come back even stronger. FSU will play a big part in the recovery.”
Significant progress has been made in repairing damage to the FSU Panama City campus, and all buildings now have power. Some adjustments to class and office locations will be made as repairs continue, and more information will be provided to students and faculty this week.
“Repairing and reopening the Panama City campus is a critical step,” said President John Thrasher. “But the toughest part is, and will continue to be, helping the members of our FSU family impacted by the storm get back to life as normal. For a great number of our students and employees, especially those in Panama City and the surrounding areas, life as normal is still a long way off. We’re doing everything we can to help them get back to what will inevitably be a new normal.”
Florida State has established a hotline number for FSU PC students, so they can ask questions regarding classes, advising, course drop or other matters. Representatives from both campuses are working the hotline from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday. The hotline number is (850) 644-0146.
FSU Panama City students who are unable to attend classes due to adverse effects of Hurricane Michael should contact their professors to make alternative arrangements.
Florida State University continues to raise funds for students who have encountered additional financial need due to Hurricane Michael through two emergency funds, the Seminole Emergency Relief Fund and the Seminole Emergency Relief Fund-Panama City. Applications for these funds will be available early this week. To donate, visit http://www.fsu.edu/michaelrelief.
“Florida State University will continue to work with those students, faculty and staff impacted by the storm, for as long as it takes,” said Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Sally McRorie. “The hurricane created very significant hardships for many in the FSU community. I want to thank everyone who has so generously donated, and continue to donate to the Seminole Emergency Relief Funds to help those so desperately in need.”
Immediate crisis support and counseling services are available and accessible through the University Counseling Center at (850) 644-TALK (8255). Services are provided by mental health professionals and are available 24/7 including weekends and holidays. Once classes resume on the Panama City campus, the university will provide on-campus counseling.
Florida State University administrators urge students, faculty and staff driving from out of town to Panama City to allow time for heavy traffic.