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University College Cork students, who violate Covid-19 regulations, including guidelines on the number of people who can attend house parties and other social gatherings, could face expulsion, warned UCC Acting President the Professor John O’Halloran.
In the letter emailed to more than 22,000 students on Saturday night, Professor O’Halloran noted that the government had asked all Irish universities to introduce improved public health protection measures to help curb the spread. of Covid-19.
The Government has already mandated that all teaching at universities take place online over the next fortnight and Professor O’Halloran acknowledged that going online would deprive many students of the campus experience, which is an important part of the college life.
“The reality is that our society is dealing with a deadly pandemic. How we all act in the coming days and weeks will have a direct impact on those we love and the most vulnerable in our communities, ”he said as the students prepare to return to UCC on Monday.
“UCC has a proud tradition as a community college and now, more than ever, we need to live up to our values of good citizenship and respect for the most vulnerable. As students at UCC, you have a vital role to play in our community’s response to this disease. “
Professor O’Halloran pointed out that in order to suppress the spread of Covid-19, the government has limited the number of visitors to households which, in the case of Cork, currently with Level 2 restrictions, is just six visitors from three households. .
“We all have a responsibility to comply with these measures. We fully understand that you have been looking forward to returning to campus, but for the next several weeks it is absolutely essential that you limit your social contacts, ”he said.
Professor O’Halloran said he understood that many students were looking forward to the Virtual Freshers Week hosted by the Student Union and while many of these events are online, there is a great concern that they will lead to meetings in homes.
And he said it was a measure of the severity of the threat posed by Covid-19 that the UCC committed to treating breaches of government guidelines in relation to Covid-19 very seriously before warning the university, if necessary , would resort to expulsions. .
“In particular, students who are organizing, hosting or attending meetings that violate the guidelines will be subject to sanctions that can include expulsion from the University when justified. Please do not take action now that may affect your future. “
Contacted by The Irish Times, a UCC spokesperson confirmed that the warning about non-compliance with the guidelines applies not only to university-owned accommodation, but to any student behavior on or off campus that violates the guidelines.
“In the event that a student violates the standards of conduct, the University through its disciplinary processes can sanction a student. The disciplinary process is tiered and the sanction depends on the degree of misconduct.
“Each case is considered on its merits and the principle of natural justice is applied. The standards apply whether the student is on or off campus, and is participating in a placement or study. Expulsion from the University is the most serious sanction ”.
The UCC measure follows a similar measure at the University of Limerick, which last week responded to reports of students hosting large-scale parties the next week warning that those who violate Covid guidelines may face fines, suspensions or even expulsion.
UL told the Irish Examiner that “there is no set sanction” for students who violate the code of conduct, but that “the sanctions allowed within the code of conduct include monetary, academic, suspension and expulsion.”
“UL students are bound by a code of conduct. Action can be taken against students through the code of conduct that, by violating public health guidelines, can be considered to have engaged in conduct that is harmful to others, ”the university said.
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