The Coronavirus University Restart Team (CURT) and University senior leadership have decided that for the safety and well-being of University community members and in effort to prevent a post-holiday surge of COVID-19 cases, University organized or sponsored holiday gatherings among students, faculty, or staff, whether on campus or off, should not go forward at this time.
The decision to prohibit these holiday gatherings University-wide was made based on the increasing rate of COVID-19 cases locally, and how easily the virus can be transmitted–regardless of the size or vaccination status of the group–when individuals eat, drink, and socialize together. The prohibition is in effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.
Students, faculty, and staff are asked to consider alternatives to in-person holiday gatherings, such as virtual celebrations, until the time that we can come together again at a lower risk of transmission. This new guidance does not apply to classes or events such as campus athletic contests, theater performances, academic meetings, or other activities that are not social gatherings or parties.
In October, University guidance outlined how holiday gatherings could safely be planned, but also noted that all party planning should be carefully considered given ongoing COVID concerns. This new guidance supersedes what was issued in October, and aligns with a recent Medical Center announcement. CURT will revisit this issue periodically as rates of infection change, with the intent to relax these constraints when it is safe to do so.