Some UConn Students Removed From Housing Due Unapproved Gathering

STORRS, CT — A number of University of Connecticut students have been removed from housing due to an "unapproved gathering in a residence hall room," according to a statement by the university.

"According to the report we reviewed (Tuesday), students were not wearing masks, closely assembled, and endangering not only their own health and wellbeing, but that of others at a time when UConn is working to protect our community and resume classes in the context of a deadly global pandemic," the statement said.

These students were issued "interim actions" while university officials investigate.

"These actions do not represent or speak for the 5000 residents currently composing our residential community," the statement continued. "Our residential community has demonstrated an admirable commitment to follow universal precautions and keep our community safe. In doing so, they have made considerable sacrifice.

"We applaud and honor your actions during this quarantine. As a reflection of that commitment, we need our students to know how sincere we are in insisting that our COVID-19 health and safety procedures as well as our quarantine procedures be followed. We cannot afford the cost to the public health that is associated with inviting students into a room for a late night party. The vast majority of our students are doing the right thing – but every student needs to do the same.

"Despite the circumstances, we are deeply grateful for the exceptional work of the Residential Life staff in building community and protecting health and safety. As residents, we ask that you join them in this important task and not let the actions of the few endanger the health and safety of the many. Be well."

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Earlier Tuesday, university officials said about 0.1 percent of students tested positive for the coronavirus before they moved into Storrs residence halls over the past weekend.

UConn is testing its entire residential population for COVID-19 upon students’ arrival and providing testing at no expense for off-campus students who plan to commute to attend in-person courses.

As of Wednesday, 3,850 UConn residential students’ test results have been returned, with five positive cases.

Two off-campus commuter students reported to the university that they have tested positive for the virus. A third case involving an off-campus student that had been previously reported was later determined to have been a “residual positive,” meaning the student was infected at one time but recovered, officials said.

Twenty-five residential students are in medical quarantine on campus due to potential contact with students confirmed to have the virus, and five isolation spaces are in use for those students with positive test results.

UConn is also testing employees who expect to be on campus on a regular basis. A total of 1,874 employees have been tested so far, with no positive cases reported.

Students who test positive are notified and relocated to dedicated isolation space, while members of their small family unit cohort (identified as close contacts such as suitemates, etc.) are placed on a two-week self-quarantine and are retested.

“There will undoubtedly be more positive cases as more test results are returned in the coming days, and we will address each the same way as we work to protect the health of individual students and our community,” said UConn Dean of Students Eleanor Daugherty in a news release.

About 5,000 students are now living at UConn Storrs this semester — a decrease from the 5,500 who had signed up for spaces earlier this month — and about 265 more will live in UConn Stamford student housing. The decrease at Storrs occurred among students who had previously signed up for on-campus housing, but later transitioned their schedules fully online and decided to remain home for the fall semester.