VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Starting Thursday, Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach is pivoting away from face-to-face learning to all online learning, citing coronavirus safety concerns.

The university is also canceling all athletics for the 2020-2021 school year.

BCU is the first college in the nation to cancel all athletics this school year because of coronavirus safety concerns.

University President Dr. LaBrent Chrite says the risks are too great for athletes and staff to travel and compete at this time during the pandemic.

In a letter to the school community, Chrite wrote: "The recent spike in COVID-19 positivity rates in the state, across Volusia County and on our campus provides clear and unambiguous evidence, in our view, that now is simply not the time to resume athletic competition."

The president said officials have noticed a recent spike in cases on campus.

So starting Thursday, the face-to-face component of blended courses will be eliminated, and moved all online.

The change created a nearly silent campus on Thursday morning. A stark difference noticed by freshman Darick Demps on his way to lunch. He said that walk is now the only time he spends out of his dorm all day. 

“Right now, it is a lot more barren, theres a lot less people out, its a lot more quiet,” he said.

The sudden spike in COVID-19 cases did not come as a surprise to Demps.

“Nearly every night there was a party or some get together," he said. "But it understandable, they want to live their freshman life and they want to get out instead of being inside dorms all day."

Some students are packing up and moving home a three weeks ahead of holiday break. BCU mom Devona Comer was happy her son had that option. 

“My son actually had COVID about a month ago so he quarantined and everything," she said while packing her son's things. "So when they said time to wrap it up I got on the road this morning to come get him."

Students can remain on campus for the next few weeks, but the school has a shelter-in-place plan to keep students and staff safe.

For students who are still on campus, the university will have a curfew in place, from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m., Monday through Sunday until the end of the fall semester.

“Students must be in their assigned residence hall each night by curfew. Quiet hours also will be enforced during the hours of 6:00-9:00 p.m. Sunday-Thursday. Housing and Residence Life staff shall conduct random curfew checks nightly,” writes Chrite.

Any student caught violating the curfew policy will be removed from campus housing, Chrite wrote, adding that the university will continue its no-visitor policy that was implemented in August.

In terms of the spring semester, Chrite writes: "The current reality is that we are still exploring how best to prepare for January and to serve and support our students. As we did at the onset of the pandemic, BCU will plan for multiple scenarios, with a strong bias in favor of returning our students to campus."​

This decision is actually costing the school money according to the president, as the school will likely issue food and board refunds. However, Chrite said it is worth it to ensure the health and safety of the students and greater community.