MILWAUKEE — UW-Milwaukee says student parties need to stop in order for the university to continue to allow in-person learning.
Over the past two weeks, university data shows 51 students have tested positive for COVID-19. The dean of students said it a statement that the current number of cases remains low. In an effort to prevent an outbreak, more police will be on party patrol.
UWM sent a strong message to students Friday that large parties during the pandemic will not be tolerated, but getting everyone to comply could pose a major challenge.
“We’ve hosted parties,” said student Nash Hadle. “I don’t really feel bad about it at all.”
UWM said its police department is sending extra patrol teams to track down large gatherings and Milwaukee police are assisting.
“I have noticed the extra patrols in the last week or so,” Hadle said.
The dean of students said disciplinary action will follow and go on students’ records.
“I don’t have anything against large-scale gatherings as long as people are smart enough to assume their own risk,” Hadle said.
It’s a problem colleges face across the country. Body camera footage shows students from a school in Ohio admitting to a police officer that they have COVID-19 and still threw a party.
“So everybody here has it?” the officer asked. “Yes,” the student responded. “Oh my gosh,” the officer said.
UWM told students it strongly discourages in-person social gatherings with others not of the same household. UWM Student Association President Emma Mae Weber distributed a video to students to reiterate the consequences.
“For just one careless and thoughtless act, it can end up ruining so much for everybody else,” Weber said.
Student Matthew True fears a spread on campus could mean going fully virtual like UW-Madison is doing for the next two weeks.
“I only got a couple in-person classes actually so I’d like to keep those in person if that’s possible,” True said.
