January 21, 2025

The University is actively monitoring a winter weather advisory in effect late tonight and into tomorrow for St. Johns and surrounding counties. Forecasts predict the possibility of freezing temperatures, rain and the possibility of ice on roads.

 At this time, the St. Augustine, FL campus is open for normal operations. All classes will proceed as scheduled.

Today: When you leave school today, please ensure that you have everything you need to continue your studies in case of an unexpected disruption to campus operations.

Students taking part in clinical experiences in impacted areas should check with their clinical sites regarding any storm impacts and stay aware through their local news channels. For assistance or questions, please contact your clinical supervisor and clinical faculty. 

Additional Resources:

• Please review the storm preparedness tips at MyUSA>Student Services>Safety and Security (must be logged in to access). 
• Our student assistance program provider, ComPsych, is available to assist with winter weather support and resources, including flight delay information, road closures, driving in severe weather, winter storm safety tips and heating your home safely. Call 800-697-0353 to be connected for free, 24/7, to a licensed counselor. You can also access online resources at guidanceresources.com by creating a free account with the Web ID “USAHS.” 

If conditions require a change in regular operation hours, we will notify our campus community through the University alert system (text message and phone call). Please also monitor your USA.edu email and MyUSA, as well as Blackboard for important announcements and information from faculty.

Please use your best judgment and be safe with travel in the morning.

The Scholarship and Open Access Repository (SOAR@USA) collects and archives the research and scholarly work of University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) students, faculty and staff, making it accessible to researchers worldwide without cost barriers.

Managed by the USAHS Library, SOAR@USA allows anyone with an internet connection the ability to access student dissertations, capstone projects, poster presentations, videos and other scholarly projects, as well as open-access versions of conference presentations and faculty publications.

The revamped SOAR@USA website includes aesthetic updates and easier account log-in and submission processes. Plus:

• Add pictures of yourself presenting research on symposium days or at other events in the new student research selfies gallery. 
• Explore published research by topic with the new discipline wheel 

For questions or assistance submitting work, contact soar@usa.edu.

It is important to have current addresses for all students, including legal home permanent address, local address and emergency contact information on file in the event of emergency situations and for administrative purposes, such as validating enrollment at the campus where your program is offered. Please take three minutes of your time today to review your personal contact information and emergency contracts to ensure it is up to date.

To add or update your addresses, please follow these steps:

1. Log into the MyUSA portal.
2. Click the My Info tab on the top menu bar.
3. Click My Contact Info on the left menu bar.
4. Click Update Contact Info on the middle of the page.
5. Ensure your mobile phone is correct, as we’ll use this number to call or text students for emergency communications, such as weather-related or other critical operational alerts.
6. Scroll down to Permanent Address, Local Address* and Emergency Contact Information and enter your information or make changes to each section (verify other contact information is correct and update, if necessary).
7. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Next Page to review your updates.
8. After reviewing your updates, click submit.

*If you do not have a local address that differs from your legal permanent address for relocation purposes, then please add the same address to the local address field.

It is critical that members of the campus community provide accurate contact information in applicable systems to ensure communications are received in the event of an emergency. All USAHS students are to provide emergency contact information either on the Student Services portal or the Student Services office. Students are asked to provide an update any time there is a change ad to check their contact information at the beginning of each term start. Thank you for your assistance.

January 21, 2025

We are pleased to announce that the Austin, TX campus facilities will return to normal hours of operations Wednesday, January 22 as planned, and all in-person classes, labs and operations will resume. We look forward to seeing you back on campus! 

Employees and students impacted by the adverse weather/power outages who are unable to return to campus due to travel or personal situations should contact their supervisor or Program Director if necessary.

Students on clinical rotations: Students currently undertaking their clinical/fieldwork/practicum courses and rotations who are unable to return to their placement site should check in with their assigned clinical instructor or fieldwork supervisor.

Rescheduled Activities: Please refer to Blackboard and your course faculty for any rescheduled coursework, labs and activities.

Please continue to check your USA.edu email for updates. Do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance.  

January 21, 2025 

The University is actively monitoring area wildfires in San Diego County. Santa Ana winds are expected to pick up Wednesday and Thursday, which could increase the threat of additional fires. 

At this time, the campus is open for normal operations. All classes will proceed as scheduled.  

If conditions require a change in regular operating hours, we will notify our campus community through the University emergency alert system (phone and text). Please also monitor your usa.edu email and MyUSA, as well as Blackboard for important announcements and information from faculty.  

Today: When you leave campus, please ensure you have everything you need to continue your studies in case of an unexpected disruption to campus operations.  

Students taking part in clinical experiences in impacted areas should check with their clinical sites and stay aware through their local news channels. For assistance or questions, please contact your clinical supervisor and clinical faculty.  

Prepare Now: Cal Fire has provided a Wildfire “Go Bag” Checklist: Your Emergency Supply Kit with tips on assembling your wildfire-ready kit so you’re prepared before an emergency occurs. Ensure it’s accessible for quick evacuation and that your go bag is easy to carry and access.  

USAHS Student Support and Additional Resources: Student Affairs has provided the following support information and resources to help prioritize safety and well-being during this time: 

• Allowances will be made as needed and appropriate for students unable to return to campus due to travel or personal situations related to the California wildfires. Students unable to participate in their scheduled class or who need extra time or extensions on assignments because of adverse conditions must contact their instructor and program director.   
• You may also complete a Student Wellness Referral Form, or reach out to us at studentwellness@usa.edu for mental or emotional support. A staff member from the Student Wellness team will reach out to you within 48 hours to connect and provide assistance. Additional resources can be found at MyUSA>Student Services>Student Wellness. 
• Our student assistance program provider, ComPsych, is available to assist with wildfire support and resources. You and the people in your household can call 800-697-0353 to be connected for free, 24/7, to a licensed counselor. You can also access online resources at guidanceresources.com by creating a free account with the Web ID “USAHS.”  Some support resources on the EAP website include: 
  —Digital Toolkit: Crisis and Trauma Toolkit 
  —World Watch Documents with information on: Evacuations, Disaster Recovery Information, Road Conditions, Power Outages, Shelter Information, Emergency Animal Shelter Information, Additional Support   
  —Crisis Support Flyer 

If you need general assistance or have questions about University resources, please contact your Student Success Advisor. The contact information for Student Success Advisors can be found at MyUSA, Student Services, Advising or by reaching out to advising@usa.edu for general questions.