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Shocking footage shows hundreds of students climbing onto ping pong tables and raving in an accommodation block at Coventry University last night.
At least 200 students are believed to have crowded into a common room at Arundel House, near Coventry University’s main campus, ignoring social distancing guidelines and the rule of six.
A few revelers could be heard shouting, while a group of male students climbed onto a ping pong table while singing along to the music.
The accommodation block is just a two minute walk from the campus and is also close to the city center.
A spokesperson said Coventry University was aware of the incident and said any student violating the university’s code of conduct could face disciplinary proceedings.
An investigation is underway to find the party’s organizers, with police closing off common areas in the accommodation blocks and tightening security in light of last night’s gathering.
The images emerged despite the coronavirus wreaking havoc on universities across the country.
Up to 4,000 students in Britain are now self-isolating for fifteen days after more than 500 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in at least 32 universities.
The University of Exeter became the latest to institute a ‘soft lockdown’ for its students yesterday afternoon, asking them not to socialize in other people’s residences and only mingle with the people in their home.
More than half of the confirmed cases in Exeter in the past week are believed to date back to the university.
Elsewhere, 1,700 students are locked up on the Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) campuses of Birley and Cambridge Halls. All lectures, seminars and classes for freshmen at the university will now be online for the next 14 days.
A statement released by Coventry University this afternoon said: ‘We are aware of an incident in a private accommodation block that was captured on video that has been shared online.
‘We are deeply concerned by the video footage and strongly condemn the flagrant violations of the rule of six and other guidelines, as they put the health of our students, colleagues and the communities in which we are located at risk.
“We have introduced a code of conduct for students and shared it widely with them before the weekend.
Some revelers could be heard shouting, while a group of male students climbed onto a ping pong table while singing along to the music.
The accommodation block is just a two minute walk from campus and is also close to the city center.
This code of conduct makes clear that failure to comply with the university and government health, safety and welfare requirements will constitute a violation of the university’s disciplinary regulations and may be treated as a matter of misconduct.
‘If any of those involved in the video are found to be a Coventry University student and violate the code of conduct, we will take appropriate action.
A Coventry police spokesman said: ‘We attended Arundel House today (September 29) following reports of a large student gathering in the early hours of this morning. Around 200 people are believed to have been present in a common room.
‘We will examine CCTV and take action if evidence comes to light that it was a planned party.
“We have contacted the management of the student accommodation block and they have agreed to close some common areas and increase security.
“We have also organized a booth for safer students at Arundel House tomorrow to reiterate the CoVID-19 regulations and the consequences if those regulations are circumvented.”
A spokesperson for NIDO, who runs Arundel House, said: “We were informed last night of a large social gathering at our Coventry residence.
Steps were taken immediately to deal with the meeting, including calling the police for help. Unfortunately, the police were unable to attend at the time. We understand that you are under a lot of pressure due to the number of similar incidents, both in Coventry and nationally.
‘We are in close contact with FutureLets at Coventry University and we are assisting local authorities with their research.
‘In accordance with government advice, we are reinforcing our zero tolerance policy for mixing different households and have implemented strict Covid-19 related measures, including the installation of Perspex screens at reception and hand sanitizing stations. throughout the building, posting social announcements for guidance and distancing measures, ensuring that all staff wear personal protective equipment outside of the office, and providing residents with regular updates on the latest government guidance.
“ We have now also restricted all visitors to the building, closed common areas, and increased security in our residences to monitor these policies. We don’t want the actions of a few to affect the experience of many. ‘
