NCC officially hit 25 COVID-19 cases as of Sept. 16. The school’s positive test result website has given daily updates regarding cases on campus. New protocols continue to be added, such as the CampusClear app available to students.
Of the 25 total COVID-19 cases, only one has been of a staff member. They haven’t been on campus since Aug. 31, so it’s been over two weeks since he/she started their self-quarantine. NCC has had several positive cases in the month of September.
Update from Kevin McCarthy
On Sept. 15, Dean of Students Kevin McCarthy sent an email to all of NCC. He addressed how for the most part, the student body was doing a great job adhering to NCC’s guidelines.
“I see you wearing your masks, physically distancing and encouraging others to do the same. Your efforts have been apparent in the low number of positive COVID-19 cases so far amongst our community,” said McCarthy.
The email also addressed reports of students in larger gatherings. These students were not adhering to these guidelines. McCarthy said that students should report situations like this.
“Consequences for willfully endangering the campus community will include all available accountability options, up to and including suspension or dismissal from North Central College,” said McCarthy.
Dining Hall
The Kaufman Dining Hall on campus has regulations within the building. The guidelines set in the dining hall have been hard to follow so far. The two chairs per table and six feet apart per table makes going to Kaufman with friends a challenge.
“Adhering to the guidelines is already difficult, but we’re doing a pretty good job at it,” said Nicole Perez, ’22. She also mentioned how it’s challenging for friends to eat together. “I think it’s just a lot more difficult in dining halls because a lot of people ‘bond’ over food and hang out with their friends while getting lunch or dinner,” said Perez.
Signs of COVID-19 guidelines being broken have been seen at WAC as well. It may appear that students are undermining the goals of NCC with all these new rules.
“You can always go back to like, the bystander effect, where … someone might see someone with a mask off and think, ‘Oh, someone else will say something about it,'” said Emmanuel Owusu, ’21.
He followed up by saying that no one corrects this because of the huge crowds. Owusu also mentioned how people are beginning to relax on certain rules.
The numbers of this story are correct as of 2:18 p.m. on Sept. 18.
