Double standard? Check out the top 5 instances of campus coronavirus hypocrisy
Throughout the unprecedented year of 2020, universities instituted ways of keeping students “safe” amid the global pandemic
The policies were often broken or ignored when pertaining to certain campus groups or activities, but enforced for others.
From selective enforcement, to a straight lack of logic, the following are a few of the most glaring cases of COVID hypocrisy on America’s college campuses.
1. UIUC student kicked off campus for refusing quarantine...after testing negative for COVID-19
Xavier Josephs, a University of Illinois student, was instructed to quarantine after contact tracing showed he was exposed to the virus. On Sept. 26, Josephs was instructed to quarantine after being informed he had been exposed Monday, September 21. Due to multiple negative test results since his alleged exposure, Josephs declined to move into a quarantine dorm where he felt he might be more at risk. Following this deviance from the university’s demands, the university dismissed him from his RA position faced dismissal.
2. Vermont college holds Black Lives Matter protest despite COVID restrictions
Middlebury College in Vermont, during its Phase 2 reopening plan which required students to be in groups of 10 or less, helped students to organize a Black Lives Matter protest with over 500 students, violating its own protocols. Middlebury, which helped to organize the protests, said they were organized over the course of 24 hours and that students were kept in groups of less than 10, while pictures suggest a different story. The protest, and subsequent non-action on violations, come on the heels of 22 students removed from campus based on other violations.
3. After ECU admins shut down campus due to COVID, photos appear to show them at BLM protest
After administrators at East Carolina University sent home students living in dorms and moved to online classes due to COVID concerns, school officials were allegedly spotted at a Black Lives Matter protest. The TPUSA chapter at ECU posted on Instagram, “The administrators of ECU have failed the student body. They moved all undergraduate classes online last Wednesday and pushed most of the students out of the dorm. This event gathered over 200 people for hours of close contact & no social distancing just days after the university moved undergraduate classes online because of COVID,” The TPUSA Chapter’s post also highlighted the important faculty allegedly at the event, among them were Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Virginia Hardy, Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Involvement and Leadership Erik Kneubuehl, and football coach Mike Houston.
4. Wingate praises ‘Black Lives Matter’ protest violating COVID restrictions
On August 30, student athletes of Wingate University organized a march from the football stadium through campus that clearly violated both University and North Carolina State Policies under their Phase II reopening. The administration posted a tweet that stated “Today Wingate student-athletes formed a peaceful protest, marching from the football stadium throughout the campus! Thanks to those that helped put it together and to those that came out to show your support!!! #BlackLivesMatter #OneDog”, and University spokesman Kristen Johnson Yost stated that the University provided little pushback for the protest.
“Students organized and promoted the march. We encouraged them to wear masks and respect social distancing guidelines,” Yost said.
This particular protest caused significant pushback by students, many upset with the fact that students could protest but not go to class.
5. ASU suspends students for parties but not protesting
At Arizona State University, six students were suspended for partying including 4 students who live off-campus. This disciplinary action followed non-action by school officials related to a 100-200 person protest.
Due to a rise in cases, ASU had issued a statement that, “Students engaged – whether hosting or attending - in social gatherings on or off-campus that do not adhere to public health protocols will be subject to suspension”.
The Multicultural Solidarity Coalition issued a statement planning to go ahead with the march regardless stating, “You cannot stop us, you cannot block us, we will not be silenced.”
Follow the author of this article: Carter Harris
