Syracuse, NY – Syracuse University has released guidelines for its student on social gatherings. Amid the ongoing pandemic, students partying is a big concern for universities across the country.
Students at Syracuse were urged to commit to the “Stay Safe Pledge”, which outlines behaviors like social-distancing and mask-wearing that the university expects students to follow.
Outside the pledge however are real rules and potential sanctions for breaking them. Students are expected to keep gatherings under 25 people, and if they are found breaking this rule they could face a probation, according to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. If a student or student organization is found to have hosted an event that puts “the Syracuse community at a significant health risk”, that person or organization could be suspended.
While these rules are easy for Syracuse to enforce for students in campus housing, it’s unclear how they can enforce, or if they can enforce these rules and subsequent punishments for students who live off campus.
Jack Corbett is a leasing agent for popular off-campus housing building U-Point Syracuse. Corbett says that the university’s policies have no effect on their operations.
“We don’t say if you have a party you’re going to be punished,” Corbett said. “We wouldn’t do something like that.”
Corbett said since the building has no affiliation with the school there is no way for the school to enforce their policies there.
U Point has provided hand-sanitizing stations and closed their gym. The 505 and Theory Apartments refused to comment on what their guidelines are for students returning to campus.
