Changes follow the University of Alabama’s COVID-19 plan three days into the new semester.
The school announced Friday a moratorium on personal events for students along with restrictions on Greek homes flat for 5 p.m. All events will take a 14-day break, according to a document obtained by AL.com.
And with fraternity and sorority houses, only residents can enter the buildings other than members who buy joke-and-go meals. Access to common rooms in the houses is now restricted.
An almost invoked meeting with student leaders outlined some regarding trends in bringing students back to campus. Led by UA Vice President for Student Life Myron Pope, the meeting with a few dozen students from various organizations focused on the spread of COVID-19 among students.
AL.com received a copy of the audio from the meeting in which Pope said “we have seen a significant increase in the number of students testing positive” in the past week.
There is also the issue of quarantine space on campus. The university has 450 bedrooms to isolate those who test positive, but they are going fast.
“We are not at capacity at the moment, but if we increase with the rate we did this week, we will give one and a half weeks we will be at full capacity,” Pope told the student leaders.
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Alabama officials announced a positivity rate of less than 1 percent among students who were tested during the reentry process. Those numbers have increased significantly.
“Just in the last few days, when we were testing at Coleman Coliseum and the Student Health Center, we saw the numbers jump from 1 percent to 4 percent to 5 percent,” Pope said in the meeting with student leaders. “And in one particular case, I think it was the Coleman Coliseum (Thursday). It could actually be the Student Center. We saw 29 percent of the students who tested positive.”
Classes started Wednesday for one fall semester as opposed to another and there were problems along the way. University President Stuart Bell sent a letter to students, faculty and staff anticipating the new restrictions before they were announced.
“The expected rules and behaviors of all students and student organizations are clearly defined,” the letter read in part. “While we appreciate those who have taken these expectations seriously, I am deeply disappointed that these guidelines are not being followed by every member of our student body.”
This story will be updated.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande as to Facebook.
