The spike in business is “mainly caused by students attending selective housing recruiting parties,” the letter said. This is the largest week-long total of positive cases and quarantines since the start of the pandemic, officials said.
All courses will transition to distance learning and students living on campus must remain in their room or apartment at all times outside of essential activities, such as getting food or for health or safety reasons. Off-campus students are not allowed on campus except to participate in surveillance tests, seek medical attention, or pick up food orders.
“If this feels serious, it’s because it is,” the letter says. “The limitation of the student movement – coupled with a renewed commitment to following social distancing, masking, symptom monitoring and other public health guidelines – provides us with the best way to contain further spread. Violations of these requirements will be considered a violation of the Duke Compact and will be treated as such; blatant and repeated violations will be grounds for suspension or withdrawal from Duke. “
The letter was signed by Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Student Counselor John Blackshear, Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education Gary Bennett and Vice Provost of Student Affairs Mary Pat McMahon.
The letter says the ability to finish the semester and have a start is “at stake” for those who graduate. Duke officials will provide an update on the warrant on March 18, it says.