The same way students can gather to go to local bars and restaurants and not have consequences,students should be able to have parties and events and not have consequences. You can’t forget the memorableparties and events that allow students to socialize away from the books and homework.
Where do we draw the line between being reprimanded for off campus or on campus parties and going to congregate at local restaurants and bars and still being at risk to COVID-19?
There should be alternative consequences for students who choose to put themselves at risk and possibly cause an outbreak on campus. Which is why Governor Ron DeSantis proposed an action plan that will protect students from expulsion from their universities for attending parties.
“I understand the Universities are trying to do the right thing, but I personally think that it’s incredibly draconian that a student would potentially get expelled for going to a party,” DeSantis saidat Thursday’s news briefing at the Capitol.
The Governor’s office hasn’treleased any other statements as to when he will issue the “bill of rights” or if it will be presented through an executive order.
Florida has recently entered Phase 3 of reopening which allows restaurants, bars, and clubs to open with 100percent full capacity, putting students in a position to be allowed to congregate or attend parties even while COVID-19 numbers spike.
As the state begins phase 3 of its reopening; bars and restaurants are allowed to beat 100percent capacity.
With the reopening students feel it’s okay to throw college parties. Even with phase 3 in effect schools continue to suspend students for going out and partying and that just puts students in a hard place.
Jacoshiya Johnson, a junior biology pre-medicine student expresses how she agrees that there should be a bill of rights for college students.
“I stand with him passing the bill because he understands that we as students just want to live out our college experience and try to live in our new norm due to the pandemic.” Johnson said.
It’s a college students’ norm to host and attend massevents but they’ve never had the problem of having consequences for doing so.
Morgan Shortridge, a fourth year health science student says,“Essentially with Florida back open I feel it is only right for DeSantis to create something that would protect college parties, we are allowed to be at restaurants and bars at full capacity so why not college parties?”
As time goes on students are left to wonder if Governor DeSantis will really step up and push this “bill of rights” for college parties or will it be an unfulfilled promise?
Until then it continues to be a battle between students and administration. Many universities have triedcurfews, strict regulations and other policies but all seem to have no effect on the young adults wanting to live their lives.