UMASS Amherst Suspending and Evicting Students for Parties and Mask Violations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Glad my kid won't have to deal with anything like that at Alabama this fall. I know he is, too. All year they've been packing the student section at Bryant-Denny, going to parties and restaurants, even flooding the streets of Tuscaloosa after the football team won its sixth national championship of the Saban era. No suspensions, no evictions from on-campus housing, no strongly worded letters from the Dean, and most importantly, NO MAJOR COVID OUTBREAKS resulting from anything I just named. If schools like UMass elect to keep ruling with an iron fist and denying 18-22 year olds a real college experience, expect to see more students from the Acela corridor fleeing for the greener pastures of the SEC. Roll Tide!

But they did have outbreaks and athletics have been affected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This email just came out.

Dear Student,

Sadly, it has happened again—a group of students flagrantly flouted the rules over the weekend. It has become clear that a relatively small but highly visible subsection of the student population in the Amherst area feels entitled to break the agreed-upon policies and rules so they can party, with no regard for the health and safety of their peers. This selfish and disrespectful attitude contributes to the spread of the virus and puts all of us at risk. To that end, I feel it is important to update you on actions being taken by the university.

What Occurred: On Saturday afternoon, the Amherst Police Department was called by local residents to disperse a crowd of about 200 students who had gathered in violation of university policy, town expectations, and state public health mandates. The crowd of mostly unmasked individuals was dispersed and citations were issued to the hosts.

What Happens Next: Those students identified as being involved—hosting or attending—will be issued an interim suspension. If a student also lives on campus, they will face the additional consequence of an interim housing restriction (which requires moving out of the halls) as they pose an immediate health risk to other residents.

Our Student Conduct & Community Standards staff has received nearly 1000 referrals since the beginning of the year; the vast majority of these are violations of the Interim Pandemic Policy. Due to the risks inherent in unregulated social gatherings and because students have been notified on numerous occasions of the expectations—this behavior is clearly an egregious violation of university policy and swift action is essential. We will continue to adjudicate future cases in this manner, and we will expedite the most blatant violations, such as those that occurred this weekend.

All students involved will have their appropriate due process, but under no circumstances will they continue as a university student in the interim. The actions of these haughty few are not representative of the larger student population who consistently demonstrate their commitment to public safety. This incident (and others like it) will be dealt with swiftly and effectively so those of you abiding by the rules can enjoy more university privileges.

I regret this is where we have arrived, but the university must act to support the needs and wants of the greater student body and the larger community. Thank you to those that have diligently followed the rules—I want you to feel seen and appreciated. I hope the good actors of the student body understand this approach as a supportive effort for a successful semester ahead.

Sincerely,

Brandi Hephner LaBanc

I'm the parent of one of those respectful, obedient college students who always practices social distancing, wears a mask, stays within a safe social pod.

Yet, I think this is ridiculous. These kids are acting like KIDS. They are still children, even though they are legally adults. They are doing what comes naturally to them, which is to socialize and play.

Yes, they should be disciplined. But to kick them out of school for attending a party? No, that's too much.

My kid is great, and I'm so proud of that, but others aren't so self-disciplined, and I think that's not great, but shouldn't be treated so harshly. '

Covid makes everyone act irrationally. There should be consequences for these kids, but also, there should be alternate things for them to do so they don't attend parties. The university should take it upon itself to find ways for kids to socialize safely, and not rely on self-discipline and fear of consequences for breaking the rules to keep kids from going to parties.

Kids will break rules. It's part of their job description. Make them do service hours or something like that, but don't kick them out of dorms and school for acting like kids and trying to having fun. Just don't.

Interim suspension is not “kicked out”.

[Anonymous]

Mostly peaceful protest, all is good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This email just came out.

Dear Student,

Sadly, it has happened again—a group of students flagrantly flouted the rules over the weekend. It has become clear that a relatively small but highly visible subsection of the student population in the Amherst area feels entitled to break the agreed-upon policies and rules so they can party, with no regard for the health and safety of their peers. This selfish and disrespectful attitude contributes to the spread of the virus and puts all of us at risk. To that end, I feel it is important to update you on actions being taken by the university.

What Occurred: On Saturday afternoon, the Amherst Police Department was called by local residents to disperse a crowd of about 200 students who had gathered in violation of university policy, town expectations, and state public health mandates. The crowd of mostly unmasked individuals was dispersed and citations were issued to the hosts.

What Happens Next: Those students identified as being involved—hosting or attending—will be issued an interim suspension. If a student also lives on campus, they will face the additional consequence of an interim housing restriction (which requires moving out of the halls) as they pose an immediate health risk to other residents.

Our Student Conduct & Community Standards staff has received nearly 1000 referrals since the beginning of the year; the vast majority of these are violations of the Interim Pandemic Policy. Due to the risks inherent in unregulated social gatherings and because students have been notified on numerous occasions of the expectations—this behavior is clearly an egregious violation of university policy and swift action is essential. We will continue to adjudicate future cases in this manner, and we will expedite the most blatant violations, such as those that occurred this weekend.

All students involved will have their appropriate due process, but under no circumstances will they continue as a university student in the interim. The actions of these haughty few are not representative of the larger student population who consistently demonstrate their commitment to public safety. This incident (and others like it) will be dealt with swiftly and effectively so those of you abiding by the rules can enjoy more university privileges.

I regret this is where we have arrived, but the university must act to support the needs and wants of the greater student body and the larger community. Thank you to those that have diligently followed the rules—I want you to feel seen and appreciated. I hope the good actors of the student body understand this approach as a supportive effort for a successful semester ahead.

Sincerely,

Brandi Hephner LaBanc

I'm the parent of one of those respectful, obedient college students who always practices social distancing, wears a mask, stays within a safe social pod.

Yet, I think this is ridiculous. These kids are acting like KIDS. They are still children, even though they are legally adults. They are doing what comes naturally to them, which is to socialize and play.

Yes, they should be disciplined. But to kick them out of school for attending a party? No, that's too much.

My kid is great, and I'm so proud of that, but others aren't so self-disciplined, and I think that's not great, but shouldn't be treated so harshly. '

Covid makes everyone act irrationally. There should be consequences for these kids, but also, there should be alternate things for them to do so they don't attend parties. The university should take it upon itself to find ways for kids to socialize safely, and not rely on self-discipline and fear of consequences for breaking the rules to keep kids from going to parties.

Kids will break rules. It's part of their job description. Make them do service hours or something like that, but don't kick them out of dorms and school for acting like kids and trying to having fun. Just don't.

They're not "kids" no matter how many times you call them that. They can, among other things, sign legally binding contacts, be tried as adults and enlist in the military because they are ADULTS.

Oh, and COVID doesn't "make" people do anything. Try again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Utterly gross. If they think students in close proximity is a health risk, why are they having in-person classes?

30+ students in a tightly packed classroom with 1970s ventilation is far worse than outdoor parties.

But which one is more important?

Irrelevant. Virus doesn't spread by human's understanding of importance

OK then close the grocery stores then.

Oh, wait, you mean something IS more important?

Dumbass.

Moron, are people packed within 1 feet of each other in poorly ventilated, cramped classrooms at grocery stores?

And capacity at grocery stores was reduced during COVID. Moron.

You can't even make your point without contradicting your own point in the same post. In addition to proving no evidence of the "packed within 1 feet of each other" claim.

Fail. You take an L.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Utterly gross. If they think students in close proximity is a health risk, why are they having in-person classes?

30+ students in a tightly packed classroom with 1970s ventilation is far worse than outdoor parties.

But which one is more important?

I am a professor who teaches in person classes right now. My students are not packed in - they are spaced out. They all wear masks and are respectful of my space and of each others.

MUCH different than an unmasked party of 200.

Also, if it's SO IMPORTANT that your student gets in-person class experiences, they are going to have to give up parties where they're packed into someone's house. I have zero problems if they want to get together with friends and play beer pong (preferably outside, but if they MUST they can play in the living room with the windows open) in their social groups. Or have a masked get together.... there are tons of options that aren't a giant packed unmasked party.

Do you feel guilty that you teaching a class in-person where COVID will likely be spread?

No. I believe education is important and my students say they learn better in person. I'm willing to teach in person given the precautions we take. I seriously doubt they're spreading COVID in class.

Anonymous wrote:
There is no such thing as "spaced out". College classrooms are made to specifications for a given number of students. Unless the college has only 25% of the regular class size, there's absolutely no way to have 6 feet distancing.

They are spaced out. All our in-person classes are being held in rooms with <50% of capacity used. I have 22 students in a lecture room meant for 65. They have put tape X on seats the students aren't supposed to occupy and so they sit apart. The ventilation in the room is quite good - though the building is old, they recently redid the HVAC. The students all wear masks and give each other space.

Anonymous wrote:
Parties outside is much safer than indoor classrooms, by multiple magnitudes.

Seems rather obvious to me that Karens on this board are simply envious of college students enjoying life and desperately want everyone to live their dour lives.

I think you never went to a college party.