University of Dayton to increase coronavirus testing after St. Patrick’s Day party

ajc.com

After a large St. Patrick’s Day party on the University of Dayton campus, officials said the university will increase coronavirus testing to help isolate those who may have been infected. Officials also plan to discipline those involved as needed.

“While the gathering in the student neighborhood may have been peaceful, students still violated University expectations and COVID-19 safety protocols,” University of Dayton officials said in a statement. “Where appropriate, we will be holding them accountable through our disciplinary process. We will also increase testing of students to identify and isolate individuals who have contracted the virus to help reduce the chance they will spread it to others.”

A statement from the university said that students who did not follow the university’s COVID-19 student agreement face disciplinary action, resulting in consequences such as removal from campus for remote study, suspension or expulsion. Due to the pandemic, disciplinary action will be much quicker and more severe, the statement said.

Students are not permitted to have more than 10 people on their lawn or porch and everyone present must be socially distanced and wear a mask. Guests are not permitted on the campus, the statement said.

“Any large-scale, unruly gathering creates enormous risk to health and safety, harms the reputation of the University and, consequently, the value of your degree,” the statement reads.

The statement was signed by Vice President for Student Development William Fischer and Executive Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Savalas Kidd.

University of Dayton Police refused to comment on the gathering.

About the Author