Despite the university's best efforts to separate itself from its infamous reputation as a 'party school,' we all know that Ohio University continues to serve the state of Ohio and surrounding areas as a college party hotspot. Now more than ever, as we struggle to tame a global pandemic, this behavior is increasingly reckless and poses great threats to the health and safety of students, staff, and permanent residents of Athens County. Based on case trends over the past few months, it is obvious that the most recent spike in COVID-19 cases in the beginning of July can be traced to student activity in uptown bars and at parties hosted off-campus. That being said, it is critical that Ohio University's administration responds to these actions swiftly and effectively to ensure that the well-being of Athens County residents is not compromised by the start of the 2020-2021 academic year. 

Ohio University has a duty to protect the best interests of the residents of the city of Athens as well as those of surrounding townships, who all depend on resources located within Athens city limits (ie. healthcare providers, grocery stores, O'Bleness Memorial Hospital). The influx of college students, who are disregarding public health mandates by partying in large groups and blatantly ignoring social distancing guidelines and mask ordinances, poses a direct threat to the city and greater county area just by visiting the aforementioned public spaces after having gone to bars and parties. This is especially troubling due to Athens County's status as the poorest county in the state, which means that its residents are less likely to have access to adequate medical care that could mean the difference between COVID-19-related recovery or severe illness and death. Tying this directly back to OU, a rise in cases would negatively impact the medical school and nursing students who are part of Phase 1 and required to work in healthcare facilities to earn clinical hours. These students will be at a greater risk of COVID-19 exposure merely because they occupy the same spaces as their classmates who prioritize partying and socializing over others' health and safety. That being said, Ohio University administrators are wholly responsible for preventing the careless members of student body from hurting those in Athens who have been mindful of public health guidelines from the start. 

Ohio University officials have been vocal about their opposition to large social gatherings at bars or house parties. They have cautioned the students against the very behaviors they have been engaging in, for they understand that these events increase the likelihood of spreading coronavirus throughout the community. However, expressing these concerns without an accompanying promise of swift and immediate action is moot. Our institution should follow the course of action laid out by Ohio State University, whose Vice President for Student Life Dr. Melissa Shivers has sent a letter of forewarning to students and student-led organizations. Just as is happening at OSU, Ohio University's Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility should be encouraged to investigate questionable student conduct related to COVID-19 spread and be allowed to impose sanctions for violations to public health mandates and university policies. Punishments as severe as individual or organizational suspension should be considered, for these students are knowingly partaking in activities that are threatening the health of their peers, their professors, their staff, and the permanent residents of Athens County. We must hold violators accountable for their poor judgment during this historic time of national uncertainty and danger.

Ohio University, we urge you to adopt a strict means of handling cases involving students who ignore public health guidelines by partying at off-campus houses or at uptown bars in great, maskless numbers.