COVID-19 Violations and Repercussions

The following was sent to all BU students on Wednesday, August 26, 2020. Please note the content on these pages and files is no longer being updated and may be out of date.

To All Boston University Students:

I appreciate your cooperation, thus far, with daily attestations, regular testing, social distancing, and wearing a face covering. All of your efforts, however, to protect yourself and your household could be compromised if you choose to attend a large off-campus gathering, even for a brief period. There will be a few students who won’t take COVID-19 seriously and their stay in our community will be short-lived – if you host or attend a large off-campus or on-campus gathering, social or party, you will be suspended from Boston University. (Please note: the gatherings to which I am referring are not university-sanctioned events that fall under our new events policy.)

The choices you make will play a critical role in minimizing transmission of COVID-19, within the University community and within our neighboring communities. If you suspend good judgment, you risk exposing yourself and others to the coronavirus and will face disciplinary action.

Actions

I will, immediately, take the following administrative actions and follow up via the disciplinary process outlined in the Boston University Code of Student Responsibilities:

• If you host a large (more than 25 people) gathering, social or party off campus or on-campus, you will be suspended through the fall semester, and will not be able to attend classes in-person or remotely.
• If you attend a large (more than 25 people) gathering, social or party off campus or on campus, you will be suspended through the fall semester, and will not be able to attend classes in-person or remotely.
• If your student organization, club sport, or team hosts a large (more than 25 people) gathering, social, party or event, the organization will be suspended and University recognition withdrawn, at minimum, throughout the fall semester.
• If you live in on-campus, student residences and violate these guidelines, you will have to move out of your room, suite or apartment, immediately and will not be permitted to live on campus for the remainder of the academic year.

If you are suspended for the semester, you will not receive a tuition or, if applicable, room and board refund.

Reporting Large Gatherings – Observed and Upcoming

If you observe someone you believe is a member of the Boston University community not wearing a face covering, face mask, or respecting physical distancing, say something! Ask them to pull up the face covering or mask or to give a little more space. I find that a reminder from someone within the community is a good enough nudge for me to do the right thing.

You may report observed or upcoming large gatherings, where members of this community are not wearing face coverings and not observing physical distancing while they socialize via this form. You may also call 617-353-5050, 24 hours a day to report these gatherings. If you see members of this community not respecting the guidelines outlined here, then report the behavior. The more information you can provide, the better able we are to follow up with appropriate consequences.

Like you, I’ve been cooped up and, sometimes, felt alone. That’s why I am excited to get reacquainted with my peoples – especially since they are close and not always on a screen. However, in seeing my friends, I’ve incorporated a lot more planning in my socializing to be more thoughtful, less hapless and more diligent about thinking about others. Our actions have consequences. We have got to use our collective power to maintain an environment where we can all live and learn. To succeed, we have to work together. I’ll keep a check on my behavior, and you should, too. I am confident that you will have healthy, creative and meaningful experiences to reacquaint with and meet each other. I stand with and am encouraged by so many of you who are and continue to make your personal health, safety and well-being as well as that of the campus and the surrounding communities a priority.

I hope that I will not have to suspend anyone, and I know if we all work together, and remain committed to our goal of maintaining a healthy living and learning environment, we can and we will do this.

Fondly,

Kenneth Elmore

Associate Provost and Dean of Students