University populations can sometimes be treated as homogenous by default, in the absence of intentional differentiation and targeted programs and services. Previous research has established this problem in the context of emergency management on US college campuses. The main objective of this research is to improve our understanding of communication challenges at institutions of higher education so that we might enhance communication strategies, with a particular focus on hurricanes. A mix of quantitative and qualitative methods was used to collect and analyze data; 400 subjects, students and employees from University of Florida (UF), were surveyed shortly after Hurricane Dorian. In addition, UF administrative leaders committed to student safety in emergencies were interviewed. The data analysis provided insights into six main challenges with regards to the UF emergency communication system: lack of customized communication, using the wrong communication platforms, over-communication, misleading information from untrusted sources, language barriers, and timing of orientation sessions. The research findings help in developing new knowledge about educational institutions, allowing evidence-based action to inform emergency communication and enhancing overall university disaster risk management.

在没有故意的差异和有针对性的计划与服务的情况下，有时默认情况下可以将大学群体视为同质。先前的研究已经在美国大学校园的应急管理中确定了这个问题。这项研究的主要目的是增进我们对高等教育机构中传播挑战的理解，以便我们可以增强传播策略，特别是针对飓风。定量和定性方法的混合被用来收集和分析数据。在多里安飓风过后不久，对来自佛罗里达大学（UF）的400名受试者，学生和员工进行了调查。此外，对在紧急情况下致力于学生安全的用友行政领导者进行了采访。数据分析提供了与超滤应急通信系统有关的六个主要挑战的见解：缺乏定制通信，使用错误的通信平台，过度通信，来自不可信来源的误导性信息，语言障碍以及入职培训会的时间。研究结果有助于开发有关教育机构的新知识，允许采取循证行动为应急通信提供信息，并增强大学的整体灾害风险管理。