Miami University Students: Covid-19 Status Update

Students at Miami University in Ohio have tested positive for COVID-19. In September 2020, several students who had tested positive for the virus were caught on police body camera hosting a house party, breaking quarantine rules. The university has reported varying numbers of positive cases among students, with over 1,000 students testing positive since classes started in fall 2020, and 704 students testing positive since August 17, 2024. The university has implemented measures such as online classes, testing requirements, and social distancing guidelines to manage the spread of the virus on campus.

Miami University students break quarantine to host a party

Miami University students in Ohio threw a house party knowing they had COVID-19, according to police. Body camera footage from the Oxford Police Department (OPD) shows an officer telling a group of young men that they are in violation of gathering ordinances. The officer also informs them that they are supposed to be under quarantine.

On Saturday, September 5, 2020, the OPD issued six civil citations to Miami University students for violating Oxford's mass gathering ban. The ban prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people. At least five of the cited students were under quarantine protocols for COVID-19 at the time of the incident.

The body camera footage shows an officer, Matthew Hatfield, approaching a residence on E. Walnut Street in response to a noise complaint. He noticed a group of seven people standing on the porch without masks, drinking, and listening to music. Hatfield asked who lived at the residence, and a student, Zach Williams, responded that he did. Williams told Hatfield that around 20 people were inside his residence at the time.

Hatfield then ran Williams' information through the Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS) and found that he had tested positive for COVID-19. When confronted, Williams admitted that he was supposed to be under quarantine and that everyone at the party had COVID-19, including those living across the street.

The Oxford Police Department issued citations to the five residents of the home, as well as to Alexander Occhino, a student who was staying there for the weekend. Each citation carried a fine of $500.

Miami University released a statement saying that they take these matters seriously and that students can face suspension or dismissal for violating quarantine or isolation orders or hosting large gatherings that violate the City of Oxford mass gathering ordinance.

Despite the incident, Miami University announced that it would resume in-person and hybrid classes on September 21, 2020, after starting the semester remotely. The university required all students returning to campus to be tested for COVID-19 before moving into the dorms. Face masks were also mandated for students and faculty, and all activities outside the classroom with more than 10 participants were canceled or moved online.

Miami University's COVID-19 Dashboard

The University of Miami COVID-19 Dashboard provides an overview of the impact of COVID-19 on the university community. The dashboard is updated daily at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET and includes data on testing, positive results, students in quarantine or isolation, and hospitalizations. The dashboard is designed to provide transparent and accurate information to the university community and the public, enabling them to track key indicators and make informed decisions.

The dashboard includes data from multiple sources, including the university's COVID-19 testing centres, contact tracing efforts, housing and residential life, and UHealth, which manages hospitalized patients. It offers an easy-to-understand display, allowing users to view the week-to-date number of new positive tests, the number of students in isolation or quarantine, the number of new tests performed, and new hospitalizations. Additionally, users can view daily counts of new positive cases for students, faculty, and staff by location and campus.

While the dashboard has been praised for its transparency and ease of use, it has also faced criticism. Some members of the university community, including students and professors, have expressed concerns about the dashboard's failure to display cumulative case numbers, providing only weekly totals. They argue that the use of the word "total" is misleading and that the dashboard should include positivity rates, a day-by-day breakdown of cases, and cumulative totals.

In response to the criticism, President Julio Frenk emphasised the importance of transparent communication during emergencies, stating that withholding information can increase anxiety. The university has also encouraged members of the community to utilise university testing centres and COVID-19-related services to help control the spread of the virus.

It is important to note that the University of Miami is not the only institution facing challenges in managing COVID-19. Universities across the country have struggled to balance in-person and online learning while ensuring the safety and well-being of their communities.

Miami University's response to positive cases

Firstly, the university shifted to remote instruction and work for all but essential staff and students with permission to remain in residence halls. All classes were delivered remotely, and academic and administrative buildings were accessible by card swipe only. Essential staff and students were required to take their temperature before leaving home or upon arrival on campus, and anyone with a fever, cough, or breathing difficulties was instructed to stay home. The university also adjusted mail delivery, with all mail and packages going to a central location, and implemented social distancing and mask requirements for those on campus.

In addition, Miami University introduced a COVID-19 Dashboard to track and communicate the impact of the virus on the university community. The dashboard provided information on testing, positive results, students in quarantine or isolation, and hospitalizations. This allowed the university to quickly identify and isolate infected students, quarantine close contacts, and notify those at risk.

The university also emphasized the importance of respecting the medical privacy of students and employees who tested positive, in accordance with privacy laws such as HIPAA and FERPA.

For students in need, the university offered support through the Emergency Needs Fund, providing aid for food, toiletries, medications, educational expenses, and loss of student employment.

Finally, the university took disciplinary action against students who violated quarantine or isolation orders or hosted large gatherings, with fines, suspension, or dismissal as possible consequences.

Disciplinary action for students violating health restrictions

Miami University students who tested positive for COVID-19 were found to be violating health restrictions by throwing a party. Six male students were fined $500 each, and the university stated that any student who "violates a quarantine or isolation order or hosts a large gathering that violates the City of Oxford mass gathering ordinance will face disciplinary action under [their] Code of Student Conduct."

• Fines and penalties: As seen in the case of Miami University, students who violate health restrictions may be subject to fines or other financial penalties. The fines are typically imposed to deter students from engaging in risky behaviour and to compensate for the potential costs of their actions.
• Suspension: Students who violate health restrictions may face suspension from the university, either temporarily or permanently. This means that they will be unable to attend classes, access campus facilities, or participate in university activities during the suspension period.
• Expulsion: In more severe cases, or for repeated violations, students may face expulsion from the university. Expulsion is typically a last resort and is reserved for the most serious offences or when other disciplinary measures have failed to correct the student's behaviour.
• Educational interventions: Universities may also take a more educational approach to disciplinary action. This could include requiring students to participate in health and safety training, or community service projects related to the violation. The aim is to help students understand the impact of their actions and make better choices in the future.
• Rehabilitative programs: In some cases, universities may offer or require students to participate in rehabilitative programs, especially if the violation is related to substance abuse or mental health issues. These programs aim to address the underlying issues that may have contributed to the student's behaviour.
• Loss of privileges: Violating health restrictions may result in a loss of privileges for students. This could include restrictions on social activities, access to certain facilities, or participation in extracurricular programs.
• Disciplinary probation: Students may be placed on disciplinary probation, which means that they are still allowed to attend the university but are closely monitored and any further violations may result in more severe consequences.
• Parental notification: Depending on the age of the student and the severity of the violation, the university may notify the student's parents or guardians. This is done to ensure that the student's support system is aware of the situation and can provide additional guidance or consequences.
• Legal consequences: In some cases, violating health restrictions may result in legal consequences, especially if the violation involves breaking local or state laws. This could include criminal charges, fines, or other penalties as determined by the legal system.

It is important to note that the specific disciplinary actions taken can vary depending on the university's policies, the severity of the violation, and the student's previous disciplinary record. Universities typically have a Code of Conduct or Student Handbook that outlines the expected behaviour, health restrictions, and consequences for violations. Students should familiarise themselves with these policies to understand the potential consequences of their actions.

The impact of COVID-19 on the University community

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the University community at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. In September 2020, several students who had tested positive for COVID-19 were caught breaking quarantine rules by hosting a large house party over Labor Day weekend. Body-camera footage from the Oxford Police Department showed an officer arriving at the off-campus house and finding approximately 20 people, including the COVID-positive students, without masks and drinking on the porch. The students were fined $500 each for violating the state's mass gathering and quarantine ordinance.

This incident is just one example of the challenges universities have faced in preventing the spread of COVID-19 on their campuses. Miami University had already surpassed 1,000 COVID-19 cases before in-person classes were even scheduled to begin on September 21, 2020. The university implemented a hybrid learning plan, requiring all students returning to campus to be tested before moving into the dorms and mandating the use of face masks. However, some students have continued to flout health and safety guidelines, with the university warning that students who refuse to take a test will be denied access to campus services and will have to return to remote learning.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the University community at Miami University and other universities across the country. Students have had to adapt to new learning environments, including online and hybrid classes, and comply with health and safety protocols such as testing, mask-wearing, and social distancing. Universities have struggled to balance the need to provide a safe learning environment with the desire to maintain in-person instruction and campus activities. The pandemic has also highlighted the importance of transparent and accurate reporting of COVID-19 cases to protect the health and safety of the University community and the general public.

Frequently asked questions