As Hurricane Helene approaches the southeastern United States, moving north through the Gulf of Mexico, the University of Florida is taking precautionary measures for the safety of its community. The university announced today that campus will be closed on Thursday, with all classes canceled, alongside a suspension of “all academic and student-related activities,” which includes exams. This decision reflects a commitment to prioritize the well-being of students and staff in light of the unpredictable weather conditions.
From an athletics standpoint, the University Athletic Association has also decided to postpone various sporting events scheduled for the upcoming weekend. The Florida soccer team’s match against Tennessee, which was set for Thursday, will now be rescheduled for a later date to ensure safety. Additionally, the swimming meets for both the men’s and women’s teams against Nova Southeastern have been outright canceled due to the storm’s impending impact. However, the UF men’s basketball team is expected to experience minimal disruption since Thursday is already their designated off day during the initial week of preseason camp. This careful approach underscores the university’s proactive response to the potential effects of the hurricane on both academic and athletic activities.