Western University is telling its students to knock off the rowdy parties or lose in-person learning and activities.
The presidents of the university and the university student council issued a stern joint statement to students over social media late Tuesday night addressing large gatherings that have taken place recently near campus.
"We’ve seen a disturbing trend over the last few days that puts our entire year in jeopardy," wrote Western University president Alan Shepard and University Student Council president Zamir Fakirani. "This past weekend there were several large gatherings near campus – along with some aggressive behaviour that put the safety of others at risk. This activity is a blatant disregard for the campus community, public health, and the law."
While the statement does not get into the specifics of the massive parties, videos that have gone viral on social media appear to show hundreds of maskless young people on the notorious Broughdale Avenue. Some of those in attendance can be seen jumping from hydro poles, while others are body surfing over the large crowd.
"We want to be clear: if this activity continues, the academic year we have so carefully planned will not happen," Shepard and Fakirani stated. "In-person learning with fellow students, interaction with professors, extra-curricular activities, athletics and all the things that make your student experience great will be lost."
The joint statement goes on to urge students to continue to follow public health guidelines put in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Those include physical distancing, avoiding indoor gatherings, and wearing face coverings when in close quarters with those outside of your household.
"Your choices will determine what your experience will look like this year. Let’s make it different than the past 18 months. We have all worked so hard to get to where we are today. It would be disappointing to lose it before it even starts," Shepard and Fakirani concluded.
As part of its ongoing effort to protect in-person learning, Western requires everyone accessing its campus to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Individuals with an approved medical or Ontario Human Rights Code exemption have to submit to regular testing to physically be on campus.
The stern statement issued Tuesday has been met with some criticism online. Several people called it hypocritical of the post-secondary institution to chastise students partying off campus while hosting a concert on university hill to mark the first night of Orientation Week on Monday.
"Why did the university put on a super spreader event last night? You sanctioned the very behaviour you’re reprimanding students for today," one person wrote on the university's Facebook page.
"There should not be any big events taking place on campus at this time especially during a pandemic. Even though all students are vaccinated you still can get sick," wrote another.
Classes for the fall term officially begin at Western University on Wednesday.
Western Students,
— Western University (@WesternU) September 7, 2021
We are writing to you today for two reasons. First, we want to thank the students who have safely returned to campus and have been complying with our health and safety protocols; we appreciate your responsible and respectful approach to this academic year.
