VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla — Students at Bethune Cookman University are headed back home on Monday after the university announced an evacuation order on Sunday, ahead of Hurricane Ian.

The university will suspend classes for Monday, Sept. 26, and require all students to attend asynchronous classes beginning Tuesday. The university is evacuating as a precautionary measure as there is a possibility that the area could see heavy storms.

"As you all probably know by now, the National Weather Service has predicted that Hurricane Ian will impact the state of Florida with strong winds and plenty of rain, which creates the potential for damaging flooding," the statement said. "As a precaution, and in the interest of safety for members of our campus community, the University has issued a mandatory campus evacuation. Therefore, classes will not be held on Monday, 9/26/2022."

All students and staff must be evacuated off campus by noon on Monday.

The university also said that those professors and staff who have labs should alter their lessons to be flexible towards a digital model. Students were also reminded that they have access to the internet on their phones should they lose power or lose access to their laptops or other computers. 

"We are mindful of the technological challenges that some individuals may face and ask that everyone work collaboratively as teachers and learners to keep our eyes on the prize — assuring that our students continue to engage with course objectives/content and meet performance standards on rubrics and other assessment tools," the statement continued. 

The school's website will be updated with any important information and updates about changes to the current evacuation order. 

Dealing with an evacuation

"It's just been busy," explained BCU student Tearra Davis.

Davis has been on the school's campus for just over a month. The first-year student recently graduated from Oak Ridge High School in Orlando, and now she will take a trip on Interstate 4 back to her hometown after her college was told to evacuate.

"Literally just packing, waking up, and going straight to packing," she said.

Davis says getting her belongings in order was a bit stressful but understands the school's decision.

"It's like I'm just getting into the groove of things, feeling the college life, and now it's like go back home," she said.

She and most of her classmates spent much of Sunday stuffing suitcases in their vehicles and vacating the campus.

She said she would spend the next few days with her family and looks forward to returning once the all-clear is given.

"You got to think about your life over everything. Safety comes first," said Davis.