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SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) – Notre Dame President Father John Jenkins published a letter this weekend saying he was disappointed with students for ignoring COVID protocols.
We hear from the St. Joseph County Health Department as well as students react to the new protocols currently in place.
The health department says students ignored the advice on gatherings, and students say they’re not surprised by the new testing requirements, which are now mandatory.
“It was kind of like watching a train wreck in idle, because you could just see the energy and excitement building,” says Dr. Mark Fox of the students rushing out onto the field after the game. Clemson. He is the Assistant Health Officer for St Joseph County.
Saturday was a big day for the Fighting Irish, with a big win over Clemson, and taking a big risk with students rushing onto the pitch.
“In light of the events of the weekend, the assault on the field and a lot of social gatherings and stuff,” says Dr. Fox as the reason for the letter and the new COVID-19 protocols on campus .
Notre Dame University president Father John Jenkins said it was “very disappointing to see evidence of a widespread disregard for our health protocols at many rallies over the weekend.”
“They have increased the consequences to make sure all students are tested,” says Dr. Fox.
So what’s up?
All student tests are now compulsory before the semester break and beyond. Failure to comply with this rule means that you will keep your record, which will render a student unable to register for courses.
Students cannot leave South Bend until they have obtained their test results, ignoring this rule will also result in a suspension of a student’s records.
Finally, the letter says there is zero tolerance for gatherings that do not comply with university security protocols. Hosts will face “severe penalties”.
“I think the letter was misinterpreted as a response to the onslaught on the ground. I think it was a much larger feeling that things were a little out of control this weekend, ”says Dr. Fox.
No mention of Father Jenkins on his brush with COVID-19 in this letter.
So what are students saying about the new rules?
“I think he recognizes his own mistake, and I think he recognizes that the university can and should do something better, and that’s the way to stay here, so I don’t think that has to see with what Father Jenkins is doing. I think we should take our own initiative to keep things safe, ”says Alex Montana, Junior at Notre Dame.
“I expected something like this, a measure like this. I thought it would be a little more extreme, even than that, I thought he could close classes for the rest of the term, ”adds Erich Fang, Junior at Notre Dame.
“I thought it seemed right, I think everyone should get tested before they go home,” says Sean Keller, senior at Notre Dame.
All students will be required to get tested and complete their results before returning home at the end of the semester around November 21, and comply with all other tests required by the university in the future.
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