Northeastern Dismisses 11 Students For Party, Keeps $36K Tuition

Northeastern University told 11 freshmen they had to leave for a party in a hotel-turned-dorm room last week, but their tuition will be staying with the school.

Northeastern said on Friday the students were caught Wednesday night in a Westin Hotel room. The hotel is being used as a temporary dorm this semester.

The students will not be welcome for the fall semester, but can return for the spring. A university spokeswoman told The Boston Globe the students won't be able to take classes from home or get their $36,500 tuition back.

The students are part of the N.U.in Program, which allows first-year students to study abroad for their first semester. This year they were studying in Boston due to the pandemic — 818 N.U.In students are at the Westin.

Well, closer to 807, now.

"Cooperation and compliance with public health guidelines is absolutely essential," said Madeleine Estabrook, senior vice chancellor for student affair. "Those people who do not follow the guidelines—including wearing masks, avoiding parties and other gatherings, practicing healthy distancing, washing your hands, and getting tested—are putting everyone else at risk."

The university said students signed forms agreeing to social distancing policies before the school year.

Northeastern's punishment is among the strictest handed down by a university since schools started welcoming students back. The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time and Fox News all prominently displayed the story on their websites over the weekend.

The dismissed students had to undergo coronavirus testing and vacate the Westin within 24 hours, the school said. Anyone who tested positive was separately housed until they recover.

The students can contest the ruling at an expedited hearing.