Northeastern University kicked 11 first-year students out of school Friday after they were caught partying in a hotel room used as off-campus housing Wednesday night in violation of the school’s strict polices on social distancing.
“Northeastern and its community of students, faculty, and staff take violations of health and safety protocols very seriously,” said Madeleine Estabrook, senior vice chancellor for student affairs at the university. “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 students had been living in a downtown Westin hotel as part of the schools attempt to reduce the density of student housing.
A post on the university’s website said, “The students (and their parents) were notified Friday that they must vacate the Westin within 24 hours. ... The students have been informed that they are no longer part of the Northeastern community for the fall semester. They have the right to contest their dismissal at an expedited hearing.”
Two weeks ago, Northeastern had threatened to revoke the admissions of incoming students who had responded to an online survey saying they planned to party on campus.
The school said Friday that the students were part of a program called N.U.in, which allows first year students to study abroad, and that they would not be receiving refunds for any money they had already paid. They will be allowed to re-enroll in January.
The students had all received a residence rule book that said "there will be no guests, visitors, or additional occupants allowed in residential assigned bed spaces during this time; this includes neighbors within your residential building."
