In an email to the community, Dean of Students Kevin McCarthy thanks Cardinals for their diligence in adhering to the regulations of the #TogetherNC pledge. The restrictions were placed in fall of 2020 to keep students safe from COVID-19. Many, McCarthy said, followed the rules. Others chose not to.
A new COVID-19 Non-Compliance Reporting Form is the first part of the restrictions. Anyone witnessing behavior not aligned with NCC’s pledge is asked to complete the form. The College wants reporters to feel safe and “without fear of retaliation.” The form has a section to include any events witnessed through social media, as well as a spot to upload video footage. For active gatherings, however, Campus Safety should be contacted first.
Sanctions
McCarthy also included a table of guidelines for any rule violations. Although able to be modified, the sanctions outline the punishment for various violations. NCC will also take previous history, the impact of the behavior and an individual’s willingness to change into account. Sanctions include everything from written warnings to suspension, removal from campus and a $200 fine.
Violations include refusal to wear a mask, not social distancing or following the guest policy or hosting/attending a party or social gathering, among others.
For student athletes, the charges are twofold. In addition to the sanctions for all students, student athletes can be met with a time-specific suspension from their athletic team. In some cases, a dismissal from the team is possible.
NCC isn’t the only school setting harsher punishments for ignoring regulations. Northeastern University kicked 11 students off campus after they were caught breaking a capacity rule and the no-guest policy. They were then refused a tuition refund. Only after complaints were the students given partial tuition to be applied to a later semester. One lawyer mentions a student suspended for walking into his dorm bathroom, not realizing he put the bathroom space one man over capacity.
Moving forward
The College has also expedited the process for non-compliance. Students identified as committing a violation will receive a notification that outlines the allegations. There is no formal hearing, but students are able to appeal the charges within five days. The student handbook has also been updated to reflect the changes made by NCC.
“Nearly all of you reading this email will not be directly affected by the information presented in it … I am so very grateful for all of you who care for your College, community, and each other,” McCarthy says. “However, I would also implore each of you to share and discuss the above information with those who may not be taking COVID-19 as seriously.”
