Eleven students suspended from UCC for allegedly violating public health guidelines

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK (UCC) has confirmed that 11 students have been temporarily suspended due to violations of student rules related to public health.
Temporary suspensions have been established pending the outcome of a hearing.

In a statement, UCC said the vast majority of students have adhered to the national public health guidance.

“However, UCC can confirm that Campus Watch has received some complaints regarding alleged violations of the Student Rules. Each case is considered on its merits and the principle of natural justice is applied.

“Hearings for those complaints not yet resolved by Campus Watch through the informal procedures of the UCC Student Rules have yet to take place and therefore the UCC is not in a position to comment further on these cases at course.

“UCC can confirm that in 11 cases a temporary suspension was implemented pending the outcome of a hearing, according to the Student Rules. These have been carried out without prejudice to the hearing process.

“At this time, there are more than 50 support services to support students and UCC will continue to work together with its students, its community and local authorities at a challenging time for our society.”

Earlier this week, residents near UCC said they were shocked by the Student Union’s plans to “move forward with Freshers Week.”

In a statement, residents of Magazine Road and surrounding areas said Freshers’ Week at one time of Covid was not a corridor.

“When the people of Cork were asked to minimize social contacts, and the UCC moved the conferences online, the Union displayed shocking irresponsibility and blatant disregard for the health and economic well-being of the citizens of Cork City ”.

However, the president of the UCC Student Union, Naoise Crowley, said she could not understand the position that the residents held.

“We have canceled our regular Freshers Week. As an alternative, the UCC Student Union is hosting a virtual Freshers’ Week, where students, including the thousands who have not traveled to Cork as a result of last Friday’s announcement, can enjoy virtual entertainment such as bands, DJs and comedians from their own home, as well as learning about the supports available within UCC through our virtual and interactive campus map.

“This approach has been adopted in accordance with the public health strategy towards the entertainment industry since the beginning of the pandemic and fully complies with the guidelines.

“We are using Virtual Freshers’ Week as a means to promote public health measures by providing entertainment alternative to face-to-face contact. For reference, Dublin universities, including Trinity, are also hosting an online Freshers Week. “

Magazine Road heads of households brought a successful case against a former landlord in the area earlier this year after repeated house parties in the area generated a lot of noise.

They were horrified when students flocked to the area during the Covid 19 national shutdown period.

They are concerned that house parties in the area could lead to a major increase in Covid cases in Cork in the coming weeks.