AMES – The President of Iowa State University warned students of suspensions for flaunting COVID-19 rules after massive gatherings and parties were held in recent days.
Wendy Wintersteen is the President of Iowa State University in Ames where thousands of students are flocking for class – and parties, keggers and bar gatherings. COVID-19 spreads like wildfire in such situations, people who believe in science say, and such outbreaks would threaten the university’s plans to continue functioning with student son campus. In a letter to students after hundreds were witnessed partying like it’s 1999, Wintersteen said:
I am writing to inform you that Iowa State University is enacting a COVID-19 safety policy for student social gatherings. Effective immediately, all on-campus and off-campus gatherings of students must comply with all health orders, including wearing appropriate face coverings and limiting the size of the gathering to ensure 6-foot physical distancing. Students attending any social gathering, on- or off-campus, must comply with the university’s face covering mandate and physical distancing guidelines.
Because of the serious public health ramifications, the university will enforce this policy through the Student Code of Conduct. Students will be held accountable for violating COVID-19 health and safety policies and standards, including the social gathering policy.
Students who engage in irresponsible behavior, including attending large gatherings or parties that violate physical distancing and face covering rules, will be subject to university discipline, and could lead to suspension.
Last weekend the nation saw an example of this type of behavior by many of our students participating in large gatherings and parties. This is unacceptable and must stop. It puts the health and safety of our campus and community at risk and it jeopardizes our ability to continue with an on-campus experience and in-person classes and activities as we have seen at other universities across the country.
I remain hopeful that all of our students will act responsibly. Together, we must do everything we can to keep our campus and community healthy.
