Officials at Florida A&M University have instituted another curfew for all students living on campus. This comes after COVID-19 cases have increased nationally and locally in Tallahassee.
A statement was released Friday by FAMU Dean of Students Bomani Spell stating the reasons for the curfew going back into effect. He said, “There is a national trend of students not adhering to mask/social distancing policies enacted by their respective institutions. We are aware of large, impromptu and planned gatherings on and off-campus by FAMU students who use social media to announce their intent to blatantly violate Leon County’s mandate on large crowds and FAMU’s COVID-19 conduct enforcement procedures.”
Alandra Martin, a first-year history student, had much to say regarding the curfew being put back into effect. “I think it’s pointless to put us back on curfew because we’re about to go home, and honestly most students were not following the curfew anyway,” Martin said. “I feel like there are good intentions behind it but students found their way around it and I believe they will continue to do so.”
The curfew mandate still has the same requirements as prior to it being lifted last month. Students must be in their assigned residence halls on Monday through Thursday from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Friday through Sunday. The curfew went into effect Saturday, and will continue until further notice.
Per university procedures, face coverings are required in all building and gatherings of more than 10 people are still prohibited.
Brianna Brown, a fourth-year criminal justice student, said it has been a stressful term.
“This semester, being a student with the current conditions we are in has been tough,” said Brown. “I feel for the freshman who haven’t been able to get the full college experience. I understand that the actions of others have caused us to be put back on curfew, but I just hope next semester will be different.”
Although it is not clear how long the curfew will continue, students will transition to remote learning after the Thanksgiving break. Residence halls will be closing at 11 a.m. Nov. 25 and will not open again until the spring semester.
If anyone fails to adhere to the enforcement procedure, offenders will be subject to sanctions from the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolutions. According to the statement, “Sanctions will include immediate suspension from University Housing and the possibility of disciplinary probation, suspension, and/or expulsion from the University.”
If anyone has any questions or concerns, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 850-599-3183.