Freshmen gather together on the weekends despite URI’s COVID-19 regulations. Photo contributed by @rhodychicks.
Despite the University of Rhode Island’s COVID-19 protocols, students have continued
gathering in large groups on-campus without wearing masks, conjuring controversy among the student population.
Students, especially first-year students that live on campus, have been gathering in groups of over 100 on the Quadrangle and in the Roger Williams Complex. Taking place late at night, these gatherings feature many students taking off their masks, blasting music and partying.
Before coming to school in September, all students were warned by the University that there would be consequences for gathering in large groups, such as $500 fines and suspensions. Yet as November approaches, students continue to party outside on Friday and Saturday nights in these groups.
“Due to us being in college, and us not having faculty on our back, I feel as if that’s why they think it’s okay to come outside, and galavant in large groups,” freshman Terrance Fry said.
Freshman Jared Hewitt believes that students think they can get away with gatherings because they are receiving minimal punishments when they violate the COVID-19 policies, despite the University claiming otherwise. He thinks that students are aware that they’re putting the entire campus at risk, but will continue to congregate if the University doesn’t take control.
However, some students believe that these gatherings are warranted, as they recognize that many first-year students just want the “college experience.”
“I think it’s part of the college experience to want to go out and hang out with people and, you know, make friends and stuff,” freshman Reese Logan said. “I think it’s totally normal.”
Assistant Director of Media Relations Dave Lavallee said he understands why students are so attracted to gathering in large groups.
“University students like to gather,” Lavallee said. “They like to be together. It’s not that they are particularly interested in ignoring the policies and guides we provided on COVID. They are just looking for connections, you know, which is a really good part of university life. Except that, in large groups at this time, it’s a very bad idea.”
According to Lavallee, the University claimed that their increased police presence on weekend nights would help lessen the number of large gatherings on campus. However, some students remain disappointed by these attempts.
“I see a lot of police around, but I don’t see a lot of action being taken,” freshman Alexa Potamianos said. “I think it’s disappointing to see all of these students gathering in the first place, and it’s even more disappointing to see that nothing is being done about it.”
Some students believe that the increased presence is not enough if public safety is not actively enforcing rules.
“I remember walking past the Quad one day, and the police were just sitting in their cars, just watching,” freshman Angela Peters said. “I think they could do more by walking around and ticketing people.”
However, Lavallee said that the public safety officers are making many attempts to stop these large gatherings from happening.
“They are doing a very, very, very good job in a sensitive, difficult time,” Lavallee said. “My understanding is that they go frequently to the location, and they ask people to disperse, and typically they do. The problem is when they leave, people come back.”
With Halloween approaching, many have concerns over what may happen on a traditionally social holiday among college students.
Lavallee explained that they are going to continue to control the large gatherings as the University plans ahead for “Halloweekend.”
“We are working with on and off campus law enforcement to ensure that our policies will be followed, and we expect that our law enforcement partners on campus will have additional patrol in place for Halloween,” Lavallee said.
Understanding that students still want to connect with others, the University plans to offer trick-or-treating, a haunted house, a DJ with halloween music, trivia and two film showings, according to Lavallee.
Students can sign up for these socially-distanced events through the events calendar. Students will also be able to partake in a “Blue Moon Halloween Stroll,” taking place on the University’s bike path. Students and faculty will be able to take a walk together to see “the particularly bright, full moon” on Halloween night.
“We don’t want to be heavy handed,” Lavallee said. “We want our students to listen to our messages. I know the police are being as forceful as they can, but at the same time, to not be heavy handed to try and get the message across in a very strong way but to try to prevent any escalation in the issue. That’s the goal here.”
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