89 new cases at UD Wednesday as students referred for discipline, some sent home for violating COVID-19 policy

DAYTON — The University of Dayton is sending multiple students home for violating COVID-19 safety protocols, while more than 100 others have been referred for disciplinary action.

“Sending them home is not a suspension,” the university said in a statement. “These students will be able to continue to study remotely; however, they will not be able to reside on campus.”

>> Coronavirus: UD reports 59 new cases within 24 hours, hopes new measures curbs cases

Since starting classes Monday, the university has 240 active cases. 89 of those cases were reported since Tuesday afternoon, school data shows.

“This has happened quickly, and as students continue to be tested, it will take some time for our contact tracers to gather data and for us to assess the results,” university officials said. “While the number of cases per day has increased, and could well increase in the next few days as contact tracing identifies additional cases, we are hopeful that the additional measures implemented over the past three days will make a long-term difference.”

While UD has seen a breakout of cases this week, Wright State University spokesman Seth Bauguess said Wednesday WSU had not had any coronavirus cases among staff or students since returning to classes and dorms in recent days.

UD said all students were required to complete training on the university’s requirements and procedures that were developed with input from local health officials to help reduce COVID-19 spread.

“They signed an agreement to follow those protocols. UD officials will continue to enforce safety protocols,” the university said.

UD officials said the 100-plus students referred for discipline could face varying sanctions, which could include suspension, depnding on the outcome of their cases.

The decision was made by the university Sunday to move the first week of the semester, which started Monday, to remote learning, however a decision on what is in store for next week has not been announced.

“We will continue to gather data to help us determine whether remote learning should be extended beyond one week,” the university said in a statement.

UD announced it has ramped up testing options for its students and expects those increased opportunities for testing to help officials assess any clusters and potential for wider spread of the virus.

Cox Media Group