Some colleges in Polk County canceling classes as Hurricane Idalia approaches

Gary White, Lakeland Ledger
Updated ·2 min read
Florida Southern College in Lakeland announced that it would cancel classes from Tuesday at 4 p.m. through Wednesday in anticipation of Hurricane Idalia.
Florida Southern College in Lakeland announced that it would cancel classes from Tuesday at 4 p.m. through Wednesday in anticipation of Hurricane Idalia.

Some colleges and universities in Polk County are closing operations for Wednesday in anticipation of Hurricane Idalia.

Florida Southern College in Lakeland is suspending classes Tuesday at 4 p.m. and will hold no classes on Wednesday, according to an update issued Monday at 6 p.m.

The school is not requiring students to leave college housing, as it has in preparation for some previous hurricanes. Residential halls will remain open, and students should plan to stay indoors during inclement weather, the update said.

The college expects to resume regular activity on Thursday, the announcement said.

Southeastern University in Lakeland will cancel classes and co-curricular activities after 5 p.m. Tuesday and through Wednesday, the school said in an update posted Monday afternoon.

University offices will be closed Wednesday, except for essential personnel, the update said. Southeastern officials anticipate a resumption of normal operations on Thursday.

Polk State College and its collegiate high schools will close Tuesday at 5 p.m. and remain closed through Wednesday, the school announced Tuesday morning.

The college, with main campuses in Lakeland and Winter Haven, is expected to reopen on Thursday, according to a news release.

Live updates Gov. Ron DeSantis tells residents 'prepare now' as Hurricane Idalia on the way

Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland plans a shift to remote classes and operations starting Tuesday at 5 p.m. and continuing through Wednesday. The school issued that update Tuesday morning.

Keiser University announced plans to close its Lakeland campus from Tuesday at 5 p.m. through Wednesday.

Warner University in Lake Wales announced that all classes will be remote on Wednesday. All school activities for the day are canceled, the school said.

Faculty and staff are expected to return to work on Thursday unless otherwise notified.

Webber International University in Babson Park had not announced changes to normal operations as of Tuesday morning.

Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on X @garywhite13.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Some colleges in Polk County cancel classes as Idalia approaches