Nearly 300 reports of UNCW students breaking COVID-19 rules this semester

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — There have been nearly 300 reports of students not complying with COVID-19 restrictions put in place by the university and/or state this semester.

According to UNCW, seven students face consequences with the university after being involved with off-campus incidents that failed to comply with the governor’s orders surrounding hosting or attending social gathering limits. This included two freshmen, three sophomores, and two juniors. UNCW says six were found responsible. Three of which were placed on disciplinary probation for hosting a party and the other three given a warning if they attended. One was found not responsible.

20 students have been charged under UNCW Code of Student Life for not wearing masks on campus. This included 15 freshmen, four sophomores, and one junior. UNCW says 18 found responsible, placed on warning, and two were found not responsible.

The university says 271 students were also charged under the UNCW Code of Student Life for either having too many people in the residence halls or for having an off-campus guest. This included 197 freshmen, 59 sophomores, 13 juniors, and two seniors. UNCW says 197 were found responsible and most were placed on warning. 20 were found not responsible.

WWAY spoke to students to see how they feel about the restrictions, and how this semester has differed from years past.

“I feel like it’s definitely harder to meet people and make friends so I feel really bad for people that this is their first semester college ever,” said sophomore Logan Fortenberry.

Freshman Anna Dupuis agrees, acknowledging it’s hard to connect with peers when students are limited to one person per dorm room.

“It’s hard when you meet all these new people and everybody’s trying to become friends and you just want to be around people all the time,” she said. “It’s hard to stay away from people, but people are definitely following the mask rules I would say.”

Fortenberry says while he is following the rules, he knows others are not.

“Parties are definitely still happening and I think you’re very irresponsible if you go to one,” Fortenberry said. “There’s a good chunk of the student body that simply does not care if they catch corona or give it to anyone.”

Freshman Addis McDonald says he doesn’t mind following the rules if it means he can stay on campus.

“I think they’re fair, we’re trying to stay open, trying to stay in school,” McDonald said. “I like having the in-person classes, I’m happy I’m not home right now.”

The university is encouraging students to get tested for COVID three to four days before leaving campus. Most students we spoke to said they planned to.

“Well I’ve already had it recently, so probably not because I can’t really get it again for the next two months so I probably won’t,” Dupuis said. “If I didn’t have it I definitely would, or I would quarantine myself from my family.”

“I’ll probably end up taking a test just to be safe for my parents,” said freshman Daniel Mittica.

The following is a weekly breakdown of violations given so far this school year:

August 19 (first day of class)–August 25: 46
August 26 – September 1: 23
September 2–8: 22
September 9–15: 42
September 16–22: 48
September 23–29: 16
September 30–October 6: 22
October 7–13: 20
October 14–20: 23
October 21–27: 4
October 28–November 3: 0
November 4–10: 7
November 11–17: 9