Hurricane update: Ruskin Campus closed Monday and Tuesday

Posted: October 2, 2022

We are grateful to all who are diligently working to ensure the safety of those affected by the storm and those beginning the clean-up. The recovery has started but we know there is much yet to come.

Our faculty and program directors are reaching out to students to check on their well-being and ensure all are safe as we continue to assess when and how to best bring all back together on campus and resume in-person operations in Ruskin. If contacted, please respond to allow the best planning efforts as we move forward. Academic program directors are working on plans on how to best finish out the semester for each individual program while making sure we meet class and program objectives given the disruption. Be patient, this will be communicated to you.

Power has been restored to our Ruskin Campus and we will be testing systems Monday to determine if there has been any damage.

Regardless of those findings and even though other universities and K-12 systems will resume classes tomorrow, we will keep campus closed Monday and Tuesday to give our students, faculty and staff in the affected areas more time to assess and attend to their homes and personal situations, to support those around them, and to give the administration and local officials more time to develop strategies for managing not just the week ahead but longer term. 

There will be no in-person classes Monday and Tuesday – remote options will continue over these days as faculty and students are able to participate. We will continue to be flexible and accommodate everyone while limiting interruptions to students’ academic progress as best we can.

We expect to resume all classes and normal on-campus operations on Wednesday, Oct. 5.We know that some have experienced substantial damage from the hurricane and may not be able to do so. Please respond to the communication from your program director to share your personal updates and accommodations for alternative returns as they may be needed.

If you need assistance or hear that someone needs assistance, please get that information to Desi Herter or Lynzie Sauls. Father Michael Kesicki is already organizing information about relief efforts and determining ways to aid our students, faculty and staff in Florida as well as to offer support as much as possible to the surrounding communities. 

Please reach out if you need assistance. Financial resources are being organized and mental health services, should you need them, are available through TimelyCare and our Employee Assistance Program. 

We will continue to send messages as we learn more. If you have questions, please reach out through update.gannon.edu at https://www.gannon.edu/Questions-or-Comments/.