Purdue suspends 14 students for violating COVID-19 restrictions
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WISH) — Purdue University has suspended 14 students, including 13 student-athletes, for violations of a pledge designed to curb the coronavirus pandemic on campus.
Katie Sermersheim, associate vice provost and dean of students, issued the summary suspensions after University Residences staff discovered the group having a party in a residence hall on Saturday in violation of the Protect Purdue Pledge, Purdue said in a news release.
On May 26, the board of trustees added the Protect Purdue Pledge to its list of categories that could result in a student’s suspension. Those categories also include academic dishonesty, hazing, possession and distribution of drugs, and destruction of university property.
The students have until Wednesday to vacate their residence hall and may file an appeal of this interim action.
The length of the suspensions were not available. Tim Doty, director of public information and issues management, said in an email response to News 8, “We will not be providing details regarding individual disciplinary outcomes. Each case will be resolved in a manner that meets the objectives of (1) protecting the health & safety of the campus community and (2) educating students on how to effectively adhere to the Protect Purdue Pledge.”
Doty did not know whether suspended students can reapply later to the university or take classes virtually while suspended. He also did not know if students will get any type of refund.
Statement
“Purdue Athletics is aware of the incident that took place over the weekend involving 13 out-of-season student-athletes. Our student-athletes, coaches and staff remain committed to following the guidelines of the Protect Purdue Pledge, and have been working with the University throughout this process. While this is an unfortunate occurrence, we hope it’s instructive for all Boilermaker students and reinforces the importance of protecting everyone on campus during this time.”
Kassidie Blackstock, Purdue’s associate athletics director for strategic communications