If you have problems reading this, visit http://www.miami.edu/communications/messages/2015-2016/presidents-letter-5-31-16.html.

May 31, 2016


To the University Community:

Once again it's that time of year when our resilience is ready to be tested. Tomorrow, June 1, marks the start of the Atlantic hurricane season—and as a community that self-identifies as Hurricanes, we always keep preparedness top of mind.

In an average season there are 12 tropical storms, six of which become hurricanes. South Florida has not been directly impacted by a hurricane in 11 years, and there have been 66 hurricanes in a row without a Florida hurricane landfall; the previous record was 33 hurricanes.

As a StormReady institution, we continue to work to implement new technology to keep the UM community informed. Among the last additions are stations to provide local weather information to our Coral Gables, Miller, and Rosenstiel campuses.

To be prepared, make sure you take the following steps:

  • Ensure you receive critical life safety information from the University by updating your contact information.
    • Employees should use the Change Contact Information and Change Emergency Contacts tip sheets to make updates in Workday. Make sure cell numbers are correctly designated as “mobile” in the device field. Managers must also designate Essential Personnel—those employees who will work before, during, and/or after an emergency when campus is closed for normal operations. Visit this tip sheet for information on making this important designation within Workday.
    • Students need to ensure their emergency contact information is accurate in CaneLink by logging in to canelink.miami.edu and clicking on the “Emergency Information” link under the Personal Information section.
  • Go to our Personal Preparedness for Hurricanes site or miami.edu/hurricane-prepare to be smart and plan your own emergency preparedness.
  • Watch the special report prepared by the clandestine "UM Ministry of Meteorology,” in which our students offer practical (and fun) advice on what to do before, during, and after a storm.

If you have questions or need additional information, go to miami.edu/prepare, or contact the Office of Emergency Management at 305-284-8005 or oem@miami.edu. By preparing today, we can be ready for whatever comes our way.