WACO, Texas — Students living around Baylor University will likely notice an increased police presence in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
"A visible presence in those areas hopefully as a deterrent for students who are not living up to university policies that have been set forth or the city's directives," Spokesperson Jason Cook said.
University President Linda Livingstone made the announcement Thursday that law enforcement would patrol the area in the evenings in an attempt to limit social gatherings to 10 or fewer people.
"Students, we know you have missed your friends and you want to connect and have fun, but you must do so safely in this COVID-19 environment in which we now live, study and work," Livingstone said. "As members of the Baylor Family, we have a responsibility to our Waco community, as we all come into contact with individuals from high-risk groups on a daily basis."
The letter also asked that those who see any activity that does not follow the university's COVID-19 prevention or mitigation efforts to report it.
Livingstone's announcement came a day after Dean of Students and Associate Vice President, Division of Student Life Sharra Hynes sent a message to students detailing the consequences of failing to comply with local ordinances and executive orders.
"It's not if you do x, y happens because we want to go through it, an investigative process, an opportunity to learn more about what's happened," Cook said. "So, that will go through our normal student conduct process and that's how we handle any violation of the university policies."
Hynes' message said that students "may face significant consequences that include suspension or expulsion from the University."
Further measures may include removing the student from classes, restricting campus access, notifying professors, removal from residence halls, holds on student registration and loss of access to student Bear ID.
Baylor student organizations that disobey orders and host or promote unapproved events could face suspension, removal of charter and individual conduct review for residents or membership, according to Hynes' message.
The coronavirus prevention efforts by Baylor were announced as two sororities at Texas A&M University in College Station were placed under quarantine due to having several members test positive for the virus. A&M officials said Thursday that members of Kappa Kappa Gamma and Delta Delta Delta were exposed to COVID-19 and are now working to mitigate the potential spread to others on campus.
