Campus Alert Archive
Inter / UIPR

Five Years After Maria, Fiona Shut a 38,000-Student University System Across an Island

PRhurricaneemergency notificationmedium confidence
Confirmed Threat

On Sunday, September 18, 2022, Hurricane Fiona swept over Puerto Rico, knocking out power to the entire island almost five years to the day after Hurricane Maria. The Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico — the island's largest private university, with multiple campuses and about 38,000 students — suspended classes and administrative work systemwide. Interim president Rafael Ramírez Rivera later extended the suspension and announced a staggered return through September 26.

Alerts
3
Response
—
Killed
—
Injured
—
Institution
Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico
Territory · PR
~38,000 students
Confirmed Timeline

Alert Sequence

3 messages in sequence

Some alert texts below are approximate reconstructions from news coverage, not confirmed verbatim transcripts. Reconstructed texts are shown in italic with a dashed border. Verified verbatim texts have a solid border and are marked accordingly.

INITIAL ALERTWebsite
Approximate reconstruction272 chars
AVISO INTER: Ante el paso del huracán Fiona, se suspenden las clases y las labores administrativas en todos los recintos del Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez Interamericana. Permanezca en un lugar seguro. Realizaremos evaluaciones diarias de las condiciones del tiempo.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstruction based on reporting that the Universidad Interamericana suspended classes and administrative work systemwide for Fiona and that the interim president said daily weather evaluations would guide the return.
Issued in Spanish to the island's largest private student body, the message prioritized staying sheltered while the entire territory lost power.
UPDATEWebsite+1d
Approximate reconstruction275 chars
AVISO INTER: Se extiende la suspensión de clases y labores en todo el Sistema hasta el martes 20 de septiembre. El personal administrativo se reportará el miércoles 21 y el personal docente el jueves 22. Las brigadas solidarias y clínicas de salud mental estarán disponibles.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstruction reflecting the documented extension to September 20 and the phased return of administrative staff on September 21 and faculty on September 22, 2022.
The mention of 'brigadas solidarias' and mental-health clinics tracks the institution's stated plan to provide psychological first aid once the danger passed.
ALL CLEARWebsite+7d
Approximate reconstruction222 chars
AVISO INTER: Las clases regulares se reanudan el lunes 26 de septiembre. La Escuela de Optometría reanudó el viernes 23. Gracias por su comprensión tras el paso de Fiona. Continúe atento a las comunicaciones de su recinto.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstruction tied to reporting that the School of Optometry resumed September 23 and regular classes resumed September 26, 2022.
This is the effective all-clear for the academic suspension, completing the staggered reopening that began with staff in the prior update.
Context

Background

Hurricane Fiona made landfall in southwestern Puerto Rico on September 18, 2022, knocking out power to the entire island and causing catastrophic flooding almost exactly five years after Hurricane Maria. The Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, the island's largest private university with about 38,000 students across campuses including San Germán, Arecibo, Bayamón, Ponce, and the Metro campus, suspended classes and administrative work systemwide. Interim president Rafael Ramírez Rivera said the university would conduct daily weather evaluations and later extended the suspension, bringing staff back September 21-22, restarting the School of Optometry (with 70% international students) on September 23, and resuming regular classes September 26. The university also pledged solidarity brigades and mental-health clinics. This entry complements the archive's UPR and Sagrado Corazón Fiona cases by documenting the storm's impact on the island's largest private institution.
Analysis

Key Findings

Fiona forced a systemwide closure of Puerto Rico's largest private university, affecting roughly 38,000 students across multiple campuses
The reopening was deliberately staggered — staff first, then the international-heavy Optometry school, then regular classes on September 26, 2022
The university coupled the closure with solidarity brigades and mental-health clinics, reflecting lessons carried over from Hurricane Maria five years earlier
Outcome
Classes and administrative work were suspended systemwide. The interim president extended the suspension through September 20, with staff phased back September 21-22, the School of Optometry resuming September 23, and regular classes resuming September 26, 2022.
Provenance

Sources

  1. News
    No hay clases mañana en la UPR y la Inter
    noticel.com
  2. News
    Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico también cancela clases mañana
    noticel.com
  3. News
    Universidades anuncian reinicio de labores
    notiuno.com
  4. Official
    Hurricane Fiona - September 17-19, 2022 (NWS San Juan)
    weather.gov
Tags
hurricanepuerto-ricoterritoryhurricane-fionaspanish-languagesystemwide-closureprivate-university
Added May 2026Updated May 2026Via ingestion