Off-Campus Parties Could Mean Expulsion For Sacred Heart Students

FAIRFIELD, CT — College students in Fairfield who choose to celebrate the return to school with a party or two may face a lot more than a mess to clean up in the morning. At least one of the town’s two universities plans to expel students who repeatedly host large gatherings in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Holding more than one party “will cause immediate dismissal from school” for Fairfield University and Sacred Heart University students, First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said in a recent community email.

“I know many residents are concerned about the return of students to campus,” Kupchick said.

Bridgeport police will patrol neighborhoods near Sacred Heart, Dean of Students Larry Wielk said in an email to students. Any group of more than 12 students who gather in non-university housing will be considered in violation of university policies, Wielk said. First-time offenders will receive a 30-day suspension from campus and a $100 fine, and repeat offenders will be expelled.

Sacred Heart students who live in university housing are allowed to have a limited number of guests, but the guests must live in the same building or complex as the host.

In a message Friday, Sacred Heart cited a desire to avoid being forced to pivot to online learning after reopening, as happened at the University of North Carolina, Michigan State University and the University of Notre Dame.

“UConn is having a spike, including among several members of the football team,” the message said. “What got these institutions in trouble, early, were parties and large group gatherings with no masks and no social distancing.”

Representatives of Fairfield University did not respond to multiple emails seeking information about the school’s policy on parties and large group gatherings.

Sacred Heart students from states deemed high risk for coronavirus arrived at campus last week to begin quarantine, while remaining members of the residential student body will move in this week. Phased move-in at Fairfield University starts Monday.

Coronavirus case numbers in Fairfield have been low in recent weeks. In the past month, the town increased from a total of 668 confirmed or probable cases July 21 to 733 on Friday, according to state data.

In addition to rules about parties, coronavirus protocol for colleges in Fairfield includes virus testing prior to arrival on campus, required quarantining for students from locations listed on travel advisories, and mandatory face coverings, according to Kupchick. Both schools have isolation, quarantine and contact tracing procedures, as well as a shutdown plan if needed.