Universities across the United States and Europe continue to adapt to the challenges of reopening campuses during a global pandemic. According to new research published by the CDC last week, the incidence of the virus was greatest for young adults aged 20 to 29 from June to the end of August. It should follow that this age demographic carries a great responsibility to follow social distancing guidelines to ensure that the more vulnerable sectors of the population are not infected.
A recent survey conducted by the New York Times reveals that at least 130,000 out of about 7.08 million total confirmed cases in the United States are linked to more than 1,300 U.S. colleges and universities since the beginning of the pandemic. This number likely underrepresents the actual number of cases because not all universities have been transparent with their data. More than 88,000 cases involve students returning to universities at the start of the fall semester in late August and early September. Cases identified in college communities generally spiked around the same time, opposing the decline of cases among other communities that took place in the same time period. The survey found that 70 deaths are attributable to universities during the spring semester. Most deaths involved faculty and staff rather than students.
On September 25, the United Kingdom and France reported record high numbers of cases in a single day since the pandemic began; many new cases are attributable to outbreaks at European universities. The U.K. reported 6,634 new cases; meanwhile, France reported 16,096 new cases. These concerning figures have sparked fears in Europe that a second wave and further lockdowns are imminent. Medical Director of Public Health England Yvonne Doyle stated, “This is the highest number recorded and a stark warning for us all.” Other European countries including Switzerland and Spain have also recorded noticeable increases most likely linked to universities.
The main problem that both U.S. and European universities face in controlling outbreaks is limiting large gatherings, whether they take the form of overcrowded lecture halls or dorm parties. For example, over 2,500 students at the prestigious École Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) school in Switzerland were forced to quarantine due to a series of outbreaks linked to private parties without social distancing. Many outbreaks on a smaller scale compared to EHL have occurred on campuses throughout the U.S. At least a dozen virus hotspots have been linked to overcrowded lecture halls at several French universities.
The response to outbreaks has varied among local governments and universities in the U.S. Some college counties have issued bans to combat the spread of the virus. Boulder County recently banned gatherings of people aged 18 to 22 and enacted a stay-at-home order for all residents living near the University of Colorado Boulder campus. Several universities including Notre Dame and Michigan State opted to cancel in-person learning and switch to online learning for the rest of the fall semester after early spikes in cases among students drew attention from administrators. Universities with fewer cases like Yale established hotlines for students to report risky activity such as large parties along with the names of involved students. The decision to quarantine students or send them home after an outbreak is also an ethical issue that many universities are struggling with. This is because sending students home runs the risk of further spreading the virus by way of their families, relatives, or members of their local communities.
Disciplinary actions for hosting unauthorized, unmasked gatherings also vary by university. Four students at UNC Chapel Hill were charged with misdemeanors for holding a fraternity party. New York University suspended students gathering in Washington Square Park. Northeastern University dismissed eleven students for the fall semester after discovering the students held an unmasked gathering, and the university did not grant them refunds for the $36,500 they each paid in tuition and fees.
European universities share a similar path with the U.S. in how they have chosen to respond to outbreaks. As stated, policies vary greatly among universities. Students attending universities in Ireland are not allowed to accommodate any guests. In Scotland, students are barred from going to parties and pubs. Germany is implementing a hybrid model of in-person learning and online learning after observing France’s mistakes of prioritizing in-person learning. Many classes in Denmark meet outdoors. Classes at some U.K. universities limit the occupancy of academic buildings at any given time to 25%. One thing that is for certain is that students hosting parties or unmasked gatherings face stringent disciplinary action regardless of where they attend university.
A rise in cases caused by reopening college campuses was likely unavoidable. After Scottish universities and its government posted new guidelines concerning student gatherings, Scotland’s national clinical director remarked, “We need to be very, very careful. Even though most of those cases will not get serious illness, some of them will, and some of them will potentially spread it to the community.” It is crucial for college campuses to maintain a system of contact tracing to enforce more targeted quarantines. All educational institutions should pay close attention to coronavirus updates to ensure a safe environment for students and faculty. It is also necessary that we all play our part to slow and eventually put a stop to the spread of COVID-19.