Sinkhole opens up on campus of Florida university

Sept. 17, 2018

The hole opened on a grassy area of the Stetson University campus in DeLand; no buildings are at risk.

Stetson University in DeLand, Fla., says that a 25-foot-wide sinkhole has opened on its campus.

The Orlando Sentinel reports that city engineers and a geotechnical expert have evaluated the opening, which the city reported to Stetson officials at about 9 a.m. Monday.

The opening is about 25 feet by 18 feet at the surface and roughly 9 feet deep—big enough to swallow a car. But the hole is not affecting classes or campus operations, WKMG-TV reports.

Stetson crews set up a safety barrier around the hole, which opened in a grassy field away from buildings and roads, and will monitor the sinkhole for 48 hours.

Stetson spokeswoman Janie Graziani says, if the area is determined to have stabilized, the hole could be filled.

“We have alerted students, faculty and staff of the situation and caution everyone to stay clear of the area,” Graziani says.