Following uproar over photos were spread on social media of young people in long lines outside Morgantown bars, West Virginia University announced dozens are now in line for punishment.
“The students who fail to follow these simple guidelines broke my trust,” WVU President Gordon Gee said earlier today on MetroNews’ “Talkline.”
“I am slow to anger, very slow to anger — I’ve been doing this for 40 years and I love students, love them dearly — but when they break our trust everyone’s going to have to work to rebuild that, and it’s going to have to start with those students.”
Three West Virginia University students accused of repeatedly flouting covid-19 guidelines face suspension or expulsion.
“I have no problem with expulsion if people have violated the guidelines to the point that they should be sent home, packing,” Gee said.
Another 47 students are on probation for violations related to covid-19 policies.
And, the university said, the Office of Student Conduct is processing charges for 20 more students who would face probation if found responsible.
“These individuals, and others identified as we continue our review, may face sanctions if found responsible,” stated Carrie Showalter, executive director of the Office of Student Conduct. “We want to thank those who are sharing tips to our Office and we encourage people to continue to report potential violations.”
The university invited reporting individuals not following COVID-19 guidelines at go.wvu.edu/reportcovidviolations, by calling University Police at 304-293-COPS or anonymously through the LiveSafe app.
Gov. Jim Justice announced that bars would be closed again in Monongalia County, just a couple of days after saying they could reopen.
Gee admonished students not following safety protocols in off-campus gatherings in a Sept. 2 letter to the campus and Morgantown communities.
It came after previous sanctions were announced in WVU’s ongoing efforts to ensure health and safety protocols are being followed.
Today on MetroNews’ “Talkline,” Gee said he was deeply disappointed by the images he saw outside local bars.
“I was really devastated,” Gee said. “I thought ‘We have done everything we possibly can to explain to our students and to everyone in our community that if we socially distance, if we wear a mask, if we follow health protocols, then we’re going to be able to outlast this virus and we’re going to keep it flat.
“But they opened up the bars and then a whole gaggle of students get down there. I could not tell you how frustrated and disappointment I am.”
WVU President @gordongee joins @HoppyKercheval to talk about students crowding into bars, not wearing masks or social distancing. WATCH: https://t.co/wkudfIRZCB pic.twitter.com/KLR9iYvua5
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) September 3, 2020
The most recent covid testing results from WVU, from Wednesday, showed 48 positives out of 408 students tested — a rate of 11.76 percent.
The day before that, there were 35 positive results out of 260 student tests — 13.46 percent.
Those are higher than the cumulative rate since testing began July 21. The cumulative rate for students is 1.35 percent.