City police broke up a house party Saturday afternoon of more than 20 students and sent names of fifteen of the attendees to SUNY Cortland, where they will face possible suspension or dismissal, according to officials.
The gathering — just like a large, local family gathering or any other large meeting without precautions — creates a risk that an asymptomatic person could spread COVID-19 to others, according to the Cortland County Health Department.
Just before 5 p.m. Saturday, city police were called to respond to a complaint of a loud house party at 26 Orchard St., according to the Cortland Police Department. When officers arrived, there appeared to be about 23 people at the gathering, said Lt. Michael Strangeway.
Police issued one ticket for breaking the city’s noise ordinance and identified 15 students at the party, Strangeway said.
“When the police pulled up a few people fled the area,” Strangeway said.
No alcohol was mentioned in the police report and the officers did not find the party exceeded the city’s recent ordinance against gatherings of more than 25 individuals, he said.
Last weekend was the final one before classes resumed at SUNY Cortland and is traditionally a time when students gather in house parties. But Strangeway noted Saturday’s party was the only one city police were called to.
Strangeway warned the Cortland Police Department will continue to respond to gatherings that are breaking local ordinances and turn the names of attending students over to SUNY Cortland.
“The police will continue to collect names and turn them into SUNY,” he said.
The college declined to comment on the consequences for the 15 students cited by the police Saturday, but Vice President of Student Affairs C. Greg Sharer noted their cases would be reviewed by the college in accordance with its student code of conduct.
“The code allows for everything from warnings to dismissal,” Sharer said, adding the college would take into consideration the student’s status and culpability.
“Certainly, we take these situations very seriously,” Sharer said. “The health of everyone is a concern.”
Even before classes began, SUNY Cortland emailed warnings to students regarding large gatherings and the possible spread of COVID-19. But dozens of students were charged with conduct violations so far.
On Wednesday, SUNY Cortland President Erik Bitterbaum again warned students in an email they would face suspension if they hosted parties on or off campus.
“Only four days after freshman students began arriving, nearly 30 students have already been charged with disciplinary violations and at least one has tested positive for COVID-19,” wrote Bitterbaum. “We have received reports of students gathering in large groups and not wearing masks. Although we believe education is more effective than punishment, blatant disregard for these rules could leave us no choice.”
Everyone — students and residents, alike — face the same risks and responsibilities when it comes to the spread of COVID-19, said Nicole Anjeski, the public health programs manager for the Cortland County Health Department.
“People need to avoid large gatherings. They can be asymptomatic and still pass it (COVID-19) on to others,” Anjeski said. “We would tell everybody that, even if it’s not students.”
