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What to know about FIU, UM and Miami Dade College as Hurricane Ian approaches Florida

As Hurricane Ian started to soak South Florida on Tuesday, the three largest higher education institutions in Miami-Dade County canceled or modified classes for at least a day and a half.

Miami Dade College, one of the largest community colleges in the country with about 55,000 students, will suspend operations beginning at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and will remain closed all day Wednesday, an official confirmed to the Herald on Tuesday morning.

A view of Miami Dade College - Hialeah Campus at 1780 W 49th Street in Hialeah on Thursday, May 5, 2022.
A view of Miami Dade College - Hialeah Campus at 1780 W 49th Street in Hialeah on Thursday, May 5, 2022.

READ MORE: South Florida school districts announce closures as Hurricane Ian approaches

The University of Miami, the largest private university in the area with about 18,000 students, announced in an email Tuesday afternoon it would not cancel class but transition to virtual learning instead.

“Beginning at 2 p.m. Tuesday, and continuing throughout all of Wednesday, all classes on the Coral Gables and Marine campuses will move to an online format,” the message from UM reads. “Faculty should immediately convey to students how to access the course online, or any alternative academic continuity plans.”

Some UM staff will still work in person.

Students walk and skateboard through campus in between classes at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida during the first day of classes of the fall semester on Monday, August 22, 2022.
Students walk and skateboard through campus in between classes at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida during the first day of classes of the fall semester on Monday, August 22, 2022.

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The campus store, Herbert Wellness Center, the Hurricane Food Court, the Shalala Student Center and Student Center Complex and all university libraries will be closed as of 5 p.m. Tuesday and remain closed through Wednesday. The university canceled all events during that time period as well.

Dining halls at UM will remain open, and athletics will continue following its normal schedules.

Florida International University, the largest public university with about 56,000 students, will shut down all of its campuses starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday and through Wednesday “in an abundance of caution and for everyone’s safety.”

File photo of students walking by the main Florida International University South Campus building on Thursday, August 14, 2008.
File photo of students walking by the main Florida International University South Campus building on Thursday, August 14, 2008.

“All classes are canceled, including online classes,” the emailed statement reads.

FIU’s on-campus housing and limited dining services will remain open. The Student Health Clinic and FIU Health will be closed through Wednesday.

The university announced members of its community and neighbors can park their cars on levels 2 to 4 of FIU parking garages.

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