A report from the Florida Politics website Friday said President Donald Trump is set to return to his home state to rally voters as the midterm elections approach.
The story by Florida Politics reporter Jacob Ogles said Trump will hold an event in Fort Myers on Oct. 23 at a site to be named later with tickets available online through the Republican National Committee.
Meanwhile, an advance, campus-wide alert at Florida Gulf Coast University was issued Friday for a large-scale, private event that is scheduled to take place at Alico Arena on the same day.
There was no information from the university if the two events are one and the same.
Previous Trump visits to Fort Myers used different venues, at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center downtown for a speech at the Lee County GOP's 2023 Lincoln-Reagan Dinner and Hertz Arena in 2018. The Florida Everblades have a game against the Atlanta Gladiators on Oct. 23.
The university's alert said that guest attendance for the event is expected to significantly impact the flow of traffic and parking availability on campus, creating disruptions to normal campus access and commuter travel.
To help manage these impacts, the university notice said there will be a switch for most campus operations to remote formats while keeping campus open for business.
Campus guidance during the event included the following:
- CLASSES: FGCU is not canceling classes. Faculty and adjunct instructors are encouraged to transition their Friday, Oct. 23 courses to a virtual format, as appropriate. Those who are unable to do so may continue using their assigned campus spaces as normally scheduled.
- FACILITY STAFFING: It is the intent of the university for buildings to remain open across campus, but each divisional vice president will decide and communicate next week the facility staffing needs for Friday, Oct. 23.
- REMOTE WORK: If remote work is possible for a unit, supervisors will authorize employees to work remotely from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day. Services provided by administrative offices and student-serving areas should remain available through remote service channels. Employees whose roles cannot be performed remotely should consult their supervisors regarding alternate arrangements.
Other aspects of the FGCU announcement included:
Campus Access, Parking and Traffic Impacts
- Parking garages 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be unavailable to students and employees from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Parking around Alico Arena, including the Aquatics Center, the tennis complex, the beach volleyball facility, as well as the baseball, softball and soccer stadiums, and parts of North Lake Village, will be closed from 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, until noon Saturday, Oct. 24.
- Roadway congestion and intermittent road closures are expected along portions of Ben Hill Griffin Parkway and the north entrance to campus at FGCU Lake Parkway North.
- Employees traveling to campus Friday should plan accordingly and follow all posted access and parking restrictions. Plan to use surface lots on main campus or park at the Sugden Welcome Center.
Events and Campus Services
- All extracurricular events and activities scheduled to take place on campus Friday will be rescheduled. Campus reservations will be in touch with event organizers on next steps.
- Details about the availability of on-campus services and facilities will be finalized and communicated next week.
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