Coronavirus: 17 St. Olaf Students Suspended After Party

NORTHFIELD, MN — Seventeen students at Northfield's St. Olaf College have been suspended after an off-campus party was held that violated coronavirus social-distancing guidelines, President David Anderson announced Thursday.

In addition to the suspensions, 50 students will have to quarantine due to lack of physical distancing.

"We have since learned that too many people congregated in the space, masks were not worn, physical distancing was not observed, and the predictable results ensued," Anderson wrote in a statement to students.

"This is the kind of reckless behavior that will put an end to our in-person semester, and it must stop. At least one of the students who attended the party was infected with COVID-19 and exposed several other students. Others in attendance exposed innocent students, like roommates, who are now having to pay a costly price for others’ poor choices."

St. Olaf students will be tested for COVID-19 throughout the semester. The goal is to finish the semester's in-person courses by Thanksgiving.

"Every single one of us has a responsibility to check the behavior of those around us," Anderson continued.

"If you see someone not adhering to the Community Standards, remind them that this behavior endangers everyone and could jeopardize our ability to complete a full semester in person. Our systems are in place and our preparations are excellent. It is now up to all of us to act safely and to look out for each other’s health."

St. Olaf is using a color-coded alert system to inform students, faculty and staff about the level of risk posed by COVID-19 on campus this fall.