The increase in business is mainly driven by students attending recruitment parties for selective life groups, the letter reads. This is the largest total of positive cases and quarantines of a week since the pandemic began, officials said.
All courses will switch to distance education and students living on campus must stay in their room or apartment at all times outside of essential activities, such as getting food or for health or safety reasons. Students who are not on campus are not allowed on campus, except to participate in supervision tests, obtain medical care or pick up food orders.
“If it feels serious, it’s because it is,” the letter reads. “Restricting student movement – coupled with a renewed commitment to following social distancing, masking, monitoring symptoms and other public health guidelines – gives us the best way to curtail further spread. Duke Compact and will be treated as such “flagrant and repeated offenses will be grounds for suspension or withdrawal from Duke.”
The letter was signed by Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students John Blackshear, Vice-Provost for Undergraduate Education, Gary Bennett and Vice-Provost for Student Affairs, Mary Pat McMahon.
The letter says that the ability to finish the semester and get started for those who graduate, ‘hangs in the balance’. Duke officials will give an update of the order on March 18, it reads.