Marist Suspends 15 For Violating Health Rules At Off-Campus Party

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — Marist College suspended 15 students for attending an off-campus party at which guidelines for health and safety were not followed. In a letter to students from President Dennis Murray, posted on the college's website, he said that he wanted to emphasized how strictly the policies will be enforced.

Murray also said students will face serious disciplinary consequences if they don't abide by the policies, including suspension and dismissal from the college.

"We have already suspended 15 Marist students for not following our guidelines at an off-campus party, and if this trend continues we'll have no choice but to completely close the campus and require students to finish the semester online," he said.

"None of us wants this outcome to occur, so please help us to ensure it doesn't happen again," Murray said.

He said that he hoped that the motivation to comply with health and safety rules isn't the threat of punishment, "but rather your respect for others and concern for the common good."

"Please don't be a knucklehead who disregards the safety of others and puts our ability to remain on campus at risk," Murray said.

In the latest update on the new coronavirus, college officials said that, as of Sunday, there have been no positive cases of the virus on campus. More than 4,550 students submitted test results, and prior to classes beginning, 34 students tested positive for the virus.

They were not permitted to move into residential housing or allowed on campus. So far 29 of the 34 were cleared by the medical team to come to the campus.

Five students remain in quarantine off-campus and will require medical clearance to come to the campus.

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