University

A Post-Hurricane Irma Message to Airlines

A Post-Hurricane Irma Message to Airlines on Behalf of the Provost Jeffrey L. Duerk, Ph.D.
Assessing Damage on Campus After Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma had a significant impact on our campus and our community. To ensure the safety of our students, faculty, and staff, the University of Miami closed for 13 class days. This extended closure has caused us to substantially change the academic calendar, and extend the end of the semester from December 13 to December 20.

With more than 60 percent of our student population coming from outside of Florida, I anticipate that these changes will mean thousands of our students will incur change fees associated with planned travel. In addition, with the mandatory evacuations ordered in our area, most of our students, faculty, and staff have already been challenged with paying for travel to leave South Florida due to Irma and now to return.

I humbly request that the major airlines consider assisting our University community by waiving the change fees for those impacted by changes to the academic schedule.

American Airlines has kindly agreed to offer our students a one-time change fee waiver for tickets scheduled for travel during select dates in early December from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.

Jet Blue has also agreed to waive change or cancellation fees for students scheduled to travel in and out of Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach for original travel on select dates in early December.

Delta Airlines has waived change fees for students scheduled to travel in and out of Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach for original travel on select dates in early December. 

We hope that other major airlines will work with us to come up with a plan to support our community.

With so many students coming from U.S. cities, we know that your airlines are well traveled by our University community. We would truly appreciate anything you can do to assist us during this challenging time.

Summary of Academic Calendar Changes

Event

Original Date

New Date

Classes End

December 5

December 20

Finals

December 7 to 13

Classes held instead of finals

Graduation

December 14

Remains December 14, but classes continue

End of Semester

December 13

December 20