
Florida A&M students are refocusing this week after the university closed in response to last week’s historic snowfall from Winter Storm Enzo.
On Tuesday, January 21, cities across the Big Bend were blanketed with snow, which hasn’t been seen in the region since 2018. Early reports by the Tallahassee Democrat estimated at least four inches of snow accompanied by sleet, freezing rain, and temperatures below 20 degrees. In the interest of the safety of the FAMU community, university officials announced the initial closure of the Tallahassee main campus and other campuses in the Big Bend on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 22.
FAMU remained closed on Thursday and Friday due to hazardous road conditions caused by the storm.
Students applauded the university’s proactivity as road conditions concerned students who commute to the main campus.
Da’Mari Clayton, a fourth-year Electrical Engineering student, and Lovely Eveque, a third-year Public Relations student, agreed with the university’s decision to close ahead of the storm.
“Seeing how much it snowed, they made the right choice by closing off school on Tuesday,” Clayton said. “When I saw the closures for Wednesday, I was also excited because seeing the aftermath, I was a little frightened. I was scared for my vehicle and a bunch of students who never drove in snow.”
Eveque expressed similar sentiments about drivers operating their vehicles in the snow.
“I feel like it was in the university’s best interest to shut down because who wants to drive in the snow on icy roads and who wants to risk their lives,” Eveque said.
Still, students enjoyed the unexpected time off. For some, it was their first time experiencing snow. Taylor Nance, a second-year Accounting student at FAMU, is a South Florida native who took advantage of the cold weather.
“I was glad about the closure because, being from South Florida, I haven’t had much experience with snow,” Nance said. “I played in the snow with my friends for a little while, but once it got too cold, I went inside, made some hot chocolate, and watched movies.”
Aside from enjoying the snow, students also took the time to complete assignments and practice self-care.
“Honestly, my time was very sanctual, and I loved it. I spent the time cooking. I spent the time reading my book for the month,” Eveque said.
Clayton specifically shared that he was already feeling the pressure of this semester’s workload, and this break was necessary.
“I did some self-care activities and enjoyed the time off…School had just started, but at the same time, I’ve been burnt out,” Clayton said.
FAMU resumed normal operations on Monday, January 27, and students returned to class to pick up where they left off.
“I’m just ready to get back to it,” Nance said.