WVU student with COVID-19 attends large gathering frat party, 29 students suspended
West Virginia University (WVU) has a long and well-deserved reputation as a party school. A buddy of mine and I went to a J. Geils Band concert there back in the ‘70s and didn’t get off campus for the remainder of the weekend. But partying in the age of the new normal and a global pandemic brings new consequences, like not gathering in large groups, social distancing, and perhaps contracting the COVID-19 virus if you don’t.
Yesterday, the administration at WVU reported becoming aware of large parties that took place this Labor Day weekend at the Morgantown, West Virginia, Theta Chi and Alpha Sigma Phi fraternities – both of which are not recognized by the university. One student with COVID-19 who had been directed to isolate, attended the Theta Chi party on Friday. In addition, residents in the Theta Chi house were previously notified by the University to quarantine due to positive cases and exposure to COVID-19.
Twenty-nine West Virginia University students are being placed on immediate interim suspension amid ongoing COVID-19-related investigations. Additional sanctions are pending as investigations continue.
The latest actions follow more reports to the University and social media posts showing large parties Friday and Saturday nights (September 4 – 5) at fraternities not recognized by WVU.
A member of the Theta Chi fraternity who tested positive for COVID-19 and had been notified to isolate attended a party at the fraternity house on Friday. Furthermore, the University had previously notified all residents of the fraternity living in the house that they must isolate or quarantine due to positive cases and close contacts. As a result, 29 members of Theta Chi fraternity have been charged with failure to comply with isolation or quarantine orders.
The students received notification letters yesterday (September 6). They are banned from campus and cannot take classes, including those offered online.
“Immediate interim suspensions are used when we determine a student presents a safety risk to campus,” Dean of Students Corey Farris said. “We know that these parties act as super spreaders. Their flagrant disregard for the health and safety of their classmates, our campus and the entire Morgantown community will not be tolerated.”
Another investigation is underway of several photos and videos from a large party hosted by Alpha Sigma Phi, also not recognized by WVU.
“While we are aware that some students have made the wrong decision to attend house parties off-campus, we also know the majority have occurred at unaffiliated fraternity houses,” Farris said. “This should serve as a message to anyone else who thinks the rules don’t apply to them. They do, and we will hold you accountable.”
The University continues to work aggressively to identify others attending these large gatherings and will respond swiftly to bring charges against those found violating the Student Code of Conduct. WVU is also working with local officials to see what other measures can be implemented for those not following the rules.
“I understand our community’s frustrations,” Farris said. “The University is frustrated, too. We clearly communicated prior to returning to campus the health and safety protocols that must be followed in order to have on-campus learning. While we can better influence and monitor behavior on campus, it is our expectation that our students off-campus would follow the guidelines put in place to protect the city of Morgantown, which also includes wearing masks, not gathering in large crowds and following instructions to isolate or quarantine after exposure.”
“No matter where they are, if a student cannot abide by the health protocols put in place for their safety and the safety of the community during a global pandemic, we do not want them here,” Farris added.
Farris noted the majority of students are doing the right things but unfortunately, as always, it is the actions of the few that will determine the path forward for the collective community.
On September 3, WVU announced additional sanctions being imposed for COVID-19-related violations following a letter from President Gordon Gee the day before to those students not following safety protocols in off-campus gatherings. The University levied initial sanctions late last month.
Follow up Story: Citing increased COVID-19 cases, WVU temporarily moving from in-person classes to online classes
(Source: WVU)
~ Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
