News

University Announces Stay-at-Home Order, Halts In-Person Classes Following Spike in COVID-19 Cases

Per University administrators, the recent uptick, which may be tied to gatherings at off-campus fraternities, is the largest cluster of cases on campus this academic year.

By Finn Hartnett, Laura Gersony, and Matthew Lee

April 7, 2021

Bond Chapel

This article has been updated with a copy of the University's Stay-at-Home order.

College administrators announced new restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19, including a temporary cessation of in-person instruction and a stay-at-home order in dormitories, after more than 50 positive cases were detected in the student body in the past 48 hours. The announcement, sent to students in the College on Wednesday night noted that “many of these cases may have been connected to one or more parties held by off-campus fraternities over the last week.”

Students in residence halls must complete a week-long stay-at-home period and can only leave their dorms for food, medical appointments, or brief walks. The stay-at-home period will last until April 15, although the email states that it could be extended if COVID-19 cases on campus have not subsided by then.

All classes and “non-curricular” programming will become fully remote for at least seven days beginning Thursday, and meals from the dining halls will only be available on a takeout basis. Residence hall lounges, music practice rooms, and courtyard spaces will also be closed for at least seven days.

The email further urged students who have recently attended a party or “unmasked gathering” to be tested for COVID-19 immediately and to cooperate with the University’s Contact Tracing Team should they be contacted. University officials wrote that they suspect that the new cases may involve the B.1.1.7. variant, commonly known as the “U.K. variant,” which is more contagious and more deadly than the original strain of the virus.

There have been 918 reported cases of COVID-19 among the University community from September 18, 2020, through the current week. University administrators added that additional steps, such as “placing further restrictions on in-person activities for Spring Quarter or scaling back planned College Convocation events,” may be necessary should the spread of cases continue.

Donate to Chicago Maroon

$6473

$7000

Contributed

Our Goal

Your donation makes the work of student journalists of University of Chicago possible and allows us to continue serving the UChicago and Hyde Park community.

About the Contributors

Finn Hartnett, Head Sports Editor

Finn Hartnett is a fourth-year at the College from New York City. He was given the Sports Editor title in June 2021, and since then he has enjoyed the work greatly, whether that means interviewing people at local sports events or writing ballads to his favorite Chicago Cub. Occasionally, he contributes to the News and Grey City sections as well. In addition to The Maroon, Finn has contributed articles to the website CATALYST and the Long Island newspaper Dan’s Papers. He has also interned for the non-profit investigative newsroom New York Focus. In his free time, he enjoys petting his cat.

Laura Gersony, Grey City editor

Laura Gersony is a fourth-year studying political science and environmental and urban studies. She has written for The Maroon’s longform section, Grey City, since her first year, and she has edited the section since her second year. Her work includes investigations into campus sustainability, disability issues, a mass exodus from Greek life, the end of the world, and Hyde Park's small population of subtropical green parrots. She and a colleague won an Honorable Mention from the Illinois College Press Association for surfacing a pattern of discrimination lawsuits in UChicago’s Facilities Services department. Laura covers energy and the environment for the water news outlet Circle of Blue.