Townhouses Restrict Guests as COVID Cases Rise

Marist students were notified Friday evening that additional restrictions will be placed on townhouse residence areas due to a recent rise in positive COVID-19 cases.

In an email from Vice President for Student Affairs Deborah DiCaprio, students were informed that guests will no longer be permitted at the townhouses, effective immediately. This includes the Fulton, Upper and Lower West Cedar, New and Foy Townhouses.

There are no additional restrictions for students living in traditional residence halls, though the email warned that “all students on and off campus should limit gatherings to their immediate pod and/or households.”

This news came shortly after Marist updated its COVID-19 dashboard for the first time in a month. As of Friday morning, there were 28 active cases, but that number increased to 47. All active cases are quarantined off-campus or at a designated, on-campus isolation space.

The college remains at alert-level green indicating that “virus prevalence is low and transmission controlled.”

Marist is calling for increased caution as St. Patrick's Day –– a holiday notorious for large college parties –– approaches. With COVID-19 continuing to be a public health threat, DiCaprio said “St. Patrick's Day revelry simply cannot occur this year — whether on or off campus.”

DiCaprio added that the Office of Safety and Security will be monitoring campus all week to ensure COVID-19 guidelines are followed by all students. The email also emphasized how seriously the college is taking violations of policy.

DiCaprio stated that disciplinary consequences for failing to abide by COVID safety policies may include “suspension and dismissal from the College.”

Source: Tara Guaimano