College campuses have become the new covid hotspots this September. Universities all over the country are sending their students home just days after reopening for in-person classes. Concerns are growing about bringing students back even with the detailed safety protocols in place. Infectious disease experts say the situation is not surprising.  

Although school officials encourage social distancing guidelines on-campus, off-site gatherings are still taking place. These gatherings and parties have been seen as the culprit for the outbreaks in universities. Restrictions at universities have included remote instruction, closed public spaces, and requiring off campus students to remain off campus.

Coronavirus outbreaks were bound to happen on college campuses this fall. Videos of maskless parties are going viral across the internet. On August 29, 11 cases of COVID-19 were traced from a UNH fraternity party. UNH President James Dean said to news reporter Tommy Beer, “The August 29 party is reprehensible and will not be tolerated. As soon as we heard of this party at Theta Chi, we started an investigation with the Interfraternity Council”.The partying that undermines the safety protocols is what is leading colleges to switch to fully remote. 

During the week of of September 13-19, a New York Times survey has recorded more than 36,000 additional coronavirus cases in American colleges and universities. There have been 88,000 campus infections since the pandemic began. Universities and colleges of every type and size and in every state have been reporting infections. The University of Notre Dame and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are examples of colleges that have switched to fully remote classes. 

With concerns growing, administrators are paying closer attention to precautions being taken as campuses have been opening. Social distancing is clearly significant in slowing the spread of the virus, but it is hard to enforce when an important part of the college experience is the social aspect. No one knows what will happen regarding school closings, everything can shift within a week. In times like these it’s best to hope for the best outcome, but prepare for the worst as well.