Western Alaska Storm recovery
Western Alaska Storm recovery
Embedded Files
Updated 10/16/25
The back-to-back storms in Western Alaska have devastated coastal communities and affected many members of the UAF community. We will use this page to share information about university resources for employees and students, as well as links to other official sources of information.
Student resources
Student resources
UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability
Safety planning, conflict resolution, reporting concerns, connecting to resources, extenuating circumstance letters and emergency funding for housing or food in certain cases.
UAF Student Care Team: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu
Questions about personal, academic or well-being challenges
UAF Student Health and Counseling Center: 907-474-7043, uaf-sh-cc@alaska.edu
Medical and counseling resourcesTimely Care
24/7 virtual access to medical and mental health support for studentsOffice of the Bursar
Support with managing tuition payments, billing and your student account
Office of Financial Aid
For answers to questions about how your choices might impact your financial aid
Office of the Registrar
For answers to questions about courses and grading
Employee resources
Employee resources
Employee assistance program
Counseling resources and a variety of legal, financial and work/life services
Annual leave cash-in program
Allows eligible employees to cash in up to 40 hours of their annual leave one time per fiscal year
Storm recovery information
Storm recovery information
Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Up-to-date information about the official storm response, including links to resources. Click on the 2025 October West Coast Storm link.
Alaska Community Foundation Western Alaska Disaster Relief 2025 Fund
During a disaster, financial support, rather than donations of items, is the best way to help, because response teams don't have the ability to manage or store donations of household items or clothing. Donating to this fund will provide support to affected communities for immediate relief, recovery support, and long-term resilience, including disaster preparedness initiatives.
FAQs
FAQs
What grading options are available for students who have been affected by the storms?
Incomplete grades (I) – May be assigned if a student has completed the majority of the coursework but is unable to finish due to extenuating circumstances. The student and instructor must agree on the terms for course completion within a set time frame for a maximum of up to one year.
Withdrawals (W) – If the student is unable to continue the course, withdrawal may be the best option but may still impact the students completion rate.
Deferred grade (DF) - This indicates that course requirements cannot be completed or that institutional equipment breakdown resulted in noncompletion by the end of the semester. Credit may be withheld without penalty until the course requirements are met within an approved time. For undergraduate courses, the grade will automatically change to a W (withdrawn) after two years unless an extension is requested and granted by the registrar.
Will dropping classes or requesting a deferred/incomplete grade affect my financial aid?
Your financial aid for the current semester may be affected if you are not able to complete at least one course. Spring financial aid may be impacted for students that do not meet UA’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy. If you are planning on dropping classes or requesting incomplete or deferred grades, make sure you contact the financial aid office to determine what the effects could be.
How can I help with the recovery effort?
In addition to being flexible and supportive of students and employees, members of the UAF community can give to the recovery effort via the Alaska Community Foundation Western Alaska Disaster Relief 2025 Fund. The Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is recommending cash donations, rather than clothing or household goods.
What can I do if I'm struggling mentally or emotionally due to this disaster?
Students can contact the Student Health and Counseling Center and also have access to Timely Care, which offers 24/7 virtual access to medical and mental health support for students.
Employees can access free mental health resources via the Employee assistance program. The university's medical plan also offers virtual and in-person options for counseling.
Emergency alert test postponed
Emergency alert test postponed
Emergency alert test postponed
Updated Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, 4:09 p.m.UAF is postponing its emergency alert test that had been scheduled for Oct. 16. A new date will be shared once the test is rescheduled.
How will I know if there's an alert?
How will I know if there's an alert?
This website will offer access to current information about emergencies at UAF. During an emergency or crisis, information may be provided in several ways:
Alertus emergency alert beacons
Loudspeakers
Rave Guardian app alerts
Local news radio and/or television broadcasts
Telephone text and voice messages
Verbal updates from building coordinators
For employees and students
For employees and students
Rave system alerts
Rave system alerts
Students and employees can visit UAOnline to update their information. Please make sure you enter a cell phone number in the correct field to receive text messages about emergencies and extreme weather affecting campus.
Visit the UA Alert Notification System FAQs for more information about the Rave system and alerts.
Rave Guardian personal safety app
Rave Guardian personal safety app
The Rave Guardian app allows users to turn their smart phone into a personal safety device. It provides quick access to campus safety resources, one-button 911 access, and a safety timer that allows users to designate friends or family members to virtually walk them home.
To download and install:
Visit the App Store or Google Play.
Search for Rave Guardian.
Download, launch and follow instructions.
Campus and community emergency contacts
Campus and community emergency contacts
IN AN EMERGENCY, CALL 911
Fairbanks: 907-451-5100
Emergency, 911
Non-emergency: 907-459-6500
907-474-7721
907-474-7721
Safety Seconds
Safety Seconds
Seconds count. Take a few seconds to review the Emergency Response Guide. It's information that could save your life.
In addition, the following resources offer specific safety information:
Campus closures
Campus closures
View the UAF policy on emergency campus closures.
For members of the public
For members of the public
Smart911 Alerts
Smart911 Alerts
Parents and members of the public can also receive emergency alerts from the university or the City of Fairbanks by signing up with Smart911. Residents of the Fairbanks North Star Borough will also have the option to customize their borough Smart911 information.
For media inquiries
For media inquiries
Refer reporters to UAF public affairs staff or designated spokesperson for information in an emergency:
Marmian Grimes, communications director, 907-474-7902 or mlgrimes@alaska.edu.
Kristin Summerlin, public information officer, 907-474-6284 or klsummerlin01@alaska.edu
Karen Tomasik, communications coordinator, 907-474-6438 or kjtomasik@alaska.edu
UAF University Relations, uaf-news@alaska.edu.
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