FAMU Alerts
Current University Status
Florida A&M University is open and operating as normal.
FAMU Emergency Alerts
Past Press Releases
FAMU Announces Plans to Reopen, Return to Campus Monday
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Tallahassee campus will re-open on Monday, May 20 to begin in-person summer classes and for non-essential employees to return to the office.
Since a tornado struck campus on Friday, May 10, non-essential employees have been working remotely out of concern for their safety and to facilitate the speedy removal of debris and the repairs to damaged buildings.
President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., has expressed admiration for what has been accomplished over the past six days.
“It’s a testament to the work that these people around me and those who have worked with them have done,” Robinson said Wednesday as he stood with senior Finance and Administration leadership following a tour of the campus.
Campus classrooms are ready to welcome the 3,200 undergraduate students and 463 graduate students enrolled in Summer A&C classes. The add-drop period has been extended to Monday, May 20.
The recent storm damaged several lab fume hood systems. As a result, the Department of Environmental, Health and Safety advises faculty, staff and students that, until further notice, the use of fume hoods is prohibited without explicit approval from Laboratory Safety/Chemical Hygiene Officer Kevin Timmons, who can be contacted at kevin.timmons@famu.edu.
While the FAMU Developmental Research School and the Durell Peaden Jr. Rural Pharmacy Education Campus in Crestview are open for normal operations, the Educational Research Center for Child Development’s (ERCCD) will remain closed until further notice.
The May 10 tornado and high winds damaged roofs, downed trees and utility poles, blocked roadways and knocked out power across the FAMU campus. FAMU officials are tracking clean-up and recovery expenses with the hope of reimbursement if there is a federal disaster declaration.
The American Red Cross has set up a shelter at the Al Lawson Multipurpose Center. Not far away, in the Bragg Stadium parking lot, the Florida Small Business Development Center is operating a mobile unit to offer consultation to small business owners who may be affected by the storm.
FAMU Resumes Remote Work on Wednesday As Clean-Up Continues
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Florida A&M University (FAMU) resumes remote work on Wednesday as federal, state, and county emergency management officials plan a visit to the Tallahassee campus to assess tornado damage and storm recovery efforts.
Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will join state and county officials in walking the campus with University administrators and staff.
Since the tornado struck on Friday morning, FAMU employees and contractors have been removing fallen trees, clearing debris and securing damaged roofs with tarpaulin. More than a dozen buildings roofs were damaged.
FAMU, the state of Florida and Leon County have all issued state of emergency declarations in respond to the storm damage.
The campus was closed Tuesday as a precaution as more storms were forecasted. The University will resume remote work for the remainder of the week as the cleanup and repairs continue.
Faculty and non-essential staff are asked to work remotely until instructed to return to the office. Other Professional Service (OPS) employees are permitted to work at the authorization of their supervisor.
FAMU Developmental Research School and the Durell Peaden Jr. Rural Pharmacy Education Campus in Crestview will re-open for normal operations on Wednesday. The Educational Research Center for Child Development’s (ERCCD) remains closed for the remainder of the week.
Summer A and C classes will be conducted via remote through May 17, while the campus cleanup is underway. Students are advised to contact their course instructors for more details. The add-drop period has been extended to Monday, May 20.
FAMU’s Baseball team is scheduled to host Mississippi Valley State University Thursday, Friday and Saturday for the final regular season series. The ground will be open to spectators.
FAMU Police Department is providing security for the American Red Cross Shelter at the Lawson Multipurpose Center. Interim Police Chief Sgt. John Cotton is asking those on campus to lock their vehicles to deter theft.
FAMU Announces Campus Closure Tuesday Ahead of More Storms
Monday, May 13, 2024
Florida A&M University’s Tallahassee campus will be closed Tuesday, except for essential employees, due to the continuing recovery work and a forecast of more inclement weather.
The closures include the Quincy Farm, the FAMU Viticulture Center, and The Durell Peaden Jr. Rural Pharmacy Education Campus in Crestview. The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering is still without electricity and will be closed Tuesday. Remote work will resume on Wednesday.
The National Weather Service -Tallahassee is forecasting several lines of storms moving east through the Big Bend on Monday and Tuesday.
Ahead of the latest stormy weather forecast, FAMU Developmental Research School (DRS) closed at 1:30 p.m. Monday. The campus will remain closed on Tuesday. Classes are scheduled to resume on Wednesday, May 15.
Since the campus dining facilities are closed for dinner Monday afternoon and brunch Tuesday morning, bag lunches will be provided for students living on campus. The Hub will be open for dinner on Tuesday afternoon.
A temporary American Red Cross shelter has been set up in the Al Lawson Multipurpose Center on Althea Gibson Way. As of Sunday night, 60 people had registered to seek shelter. FAMU Police Department is providing additional security for those staying at the facility.
FAMU Declares State of Emergency As Storm Clean-Up Begins
Friday, May 10, 2024
Florida A&M University (FAMU) President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., declared a state of emergency Friday as employees on the Tallahassee campus continued to assess and repair damage caused by high winds and rain during a severe thunderstorm.
“We appreciate all of the prayers and support from the community. Our employees are working strenuously to ensure we can restore normal operations as soon as possible,” Robinson said. “Although there has been substantial damage from the storm, we are thankful that there has been no loss of life or serious injuries reported.”
The storm knocked out electricity, damaged roofs, downed trees and utility lines, blocked roadways, and scattered debris across the campus. The university has been informed by city utility officials that power outages may persist through the weekend. Kendall Jones, associate vice president Facilities, Planning, Construction, and Safety, said staff has being deploying generators to provide back up electricity.
At least 15 buildings, including the Grand Ballroom, the Banneker Buildings and the old Plant, Operations and Maintenance (POM) Building, suffered some form of roof and water damage. The flashing on Lee Hall was also damaged, Jones said.
The University received sheets of tarp from the State Division of Emergency Management to secure roofs until repairs are completed.
As a result of the damage and clean up efforts, the Tallahassee main campus will remain closed for extracurricular activities until further notice. Faculty and non-essential staff are asked to work remotely until instructed to return to the office. Other Professional Service (OPS) employees are permitted to work at the authorization of their supervisor.
While the cleanup proceeds, the campus remains unsafe for non-essential personnel. Work is being done by professionals; no volunteers are needed.
Following Friday’s closure, FAMU Developmental Research School (DRS) administrators will announce re-opening plans over the weekend. The Educational Research Center for Child Development’s (ERCCD) roof was damaged, and the facility will be closed at least Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for repairs. The Durell Peaden Jr. Rural Pharmacy Education Campus in Crestview will reopen on Monday.
Monday, May 13 marks the start of Summer A and C semesters. Classes will be conducted via remote May 13-17 while the campus cleanup is underway. Students are advised to contact their course instructors for more details. The add-drop period has been extended to Monday, May 20.
The College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health P4 Comprehensive Exam will still be administered on Monday, May 13. Staff will send exam site details directly to test takers.
Office of Housing staff said the nearly 200 students in on-campus residences will be moved to Phase 3 when it is safe to do so. Box lunches are being provided for those students.
FAMU and DRS Closed Today Due to Severe Weather
Friday, May 10, 2024
Florida A&M University (FAMU) and FAMU Developmental Research School (DRS) are closed today due to severe weather conditions and a localized tornado warning. All non-essential employees are instructed to work from home. If you are not an essential employee and are currently on campus, please return home or seek safe shelter immediately. Please prioritize your safety and avoid unnecessary travel.
FAMU Announces Delayed Opening Thursday Due to Inclement Weather
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Florida A&M University (FAMU) has announced that the main Tallahassee campus and FAMU DRS will open at noon on Thursday, April 11, due to inclement weather.
The Educational Research Center for Child Development (ERCCD), Quincy Farm, and the Viticulture Center will also open at noon.
The Northeast Florida Pharmacy Practice Center in Jacksonville will open at 1 p.m.
The National Weather Service has forecasted that a weather system will bring severe storms to North Florida late Wednesday through early Thursday. The impact timing of the storm may vary depending on the progression of the storm.
As a result of the delayed opening, the previously scheduled mandatory management training seminar at Al Lawson Multipurpose Center will begin at 1 p.m.
For campus dining, the Top Café and The Hub will be open for brunch at 10 a.m. Retail dining locations will open at 11 a.m.
Increasing Severe Weather Threat Tonight into Wednesday Morning
- Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected overnight tonight and into early Wednesday morning.
- Damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes are all possible. A few tornadoes may be strong (EF2+).
- An Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) exists for portions of SE AL and SW GA
- A Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) exists for most everyone else
FAMU To Resume Normal Operations Wednesday Following Winter Storm
Tuesday, January 9, 2024, 5:00 PM
Florida A&M University (FAMU) will resume normal operations Wednesday following passage of Winter Storm Finn. The closure is scheduled to run through 11 p.m. Tuesday.
A preliminary inspection found no major disruptions or damage at the Tallahassee campus or satellite facilities. At the main campus, strong winds downed small branches, temporary fencing near the Teleconference Center and fencing around a section of the football practice field.
FAMU Developmental Research School, the Educational Research Center for Child Development, the Research and Extension Center in Quincy, and the Viticulture Center are also scheduled to resume normal operations.
On Wednesday, One-Stop-Shop academic advising will resume at the Al Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and continue Thursday. The Add-Drop schedule remains unchanged.
The Durell Peaden Jr. Rural Pharmacy Education Center in Crestview, the Northeast Florida Pharmacy Practice Center in Jacksonville, and the Brooksville Agricultural and Environmental Research Station (BAERS) are also expected to resume normal operations on Wednesday.
Tampa
Student pharmacists at the Central Florida Pharmacy Practice Center (Tampa) and all pharmacy practice centers are to report to their respective sites as directed by their preceptor.
Orlando
The FAMU College of Law campus and Law Library in Orlando will close at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, January 9. All evening classes, and afternoon classes ending after 3 p.m. will be rescheduled for a later date. Normal operations will resume on Wednesday.
Inclement Weather Update
Tuesday, January 9, 2024, 1:00 PM
The FAMU College of Law campus and law library in Orlando will close at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, January 9. All evening classes, and afternoon classes ending after 3 p.m. will be rescheduled for a later date. Normal operations will resume on Wednesday.
FAMU Announces Closures Ahead of Inclement Weather
Monday, January 8, 2024, 3:30 PM
Florida A&M University’s main campus, and the Quincy and Jacksonville satellite campuses will be closed late Monday through Tuesday ahead of weather systems that are forecast to bring dangerous tornadoes, high winds, and hail to a large swath of north Florida.
The Tallahassee main campus, including FAMU DRS, the Educational Research Center for Child Development, the Research and Extension Center in Quincy, and the Viticulture Center in Tallahassee will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday, January 8 to 11 p.m. Tuesday, January 9.
The Northeast Florida Pharmacy Practice Center in Jacksonville will also be closed from 8 p.m., Monday to 11 p.m., Tuesday.
The Facilities and Planning Department is working with contractors to secure construction sites ahead of the high winds.
The Durell Peaden Jr. Rural Pharmacy Education Center in Crestview will be closed at 5 p.m. (Central Time) Monday until 11 p.m., CT Tuesday.
The Main Campus Dining Services will close at 7:30 p.m., today. On Tuesday, campus retail dining services will operate on the weekend schedule. The Hub and Main Dining Hall will be open. Residence halls also will remain open, and students are urged not to travel, but to shelter in place. One-Stop-Shop academic advising at the Al Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center will resume on Wednesday and is extended to Thursday.
Until further notice, normal operations are expected at the Brooksville Agricultural and Environmental Research Station (BAERS), the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Central Florida Pharmacy Practice, the Tampa/Orlando and Davie sites, and the College of Law in Orlando.
Please check FAMU ALERT, Daily Venom or visit FAMU.edu, Facebook or Instagram for further updates.
Archived Press Releases