DENVER – Thirty-eight students on the University of Denver’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams were suspended this week from all team activities after they attended a large off-campus party that violated state, local and university policies.
The university said in an email Wednesday to the DU community that all 38 students will have to get tested again for COVID-19 and will be restricted in how they can move around until at least the time they receive negative results.
DU said that the students will not be able to participate in any team activities for the rest of the fall quarter and will face possible discipline after the Student Rights and Responsibilities process, which could include further suspension.
Chancellor Jeremy Haefner said in the letter that there can be no large gatherings until COVID-19 is “no longer a threat to our community” and that gatherings must be limited to 10 or fewer people, with mask-wearing and social distancing measures in place. He also warned of continued discipline if students do not follow the rules.
“We will continue to swiftly pursue disciplinary action if members of our community disregard the protocols and public health orders designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Haefner wrote. “We can’t have anyone in our community believe they don’t need to abide by DU’s, the city’s or the state’s COVID-19 restrictions while the rest of the community is working so hard to have protocols in place intended to keep everyone safe and healthy.”
Several colleges and universities in Colorado have seen COVID-19 outbreaks, many caused by large gatherings that fly in the face of public health orders. CU Boulder is currently in online-only classes, and people aged 18-22 in Boulder cannot gather in groups larger than two people.
The swimming and diving teams were not expected to enter their season until next January.