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Even before fall classes began on Tuesday, The Ohio State University temporarily suspended more than 200 students for violating COVID-19 safety protocols.

 was one of several outlets to report that school officials had issued 228 interim suspensions tied to off-campus parties. 

On Tuesday, university spokesperson Ben Johnson told NPR that suspensions were issued between Wednesday and Sunday.  The suspensions were issued to students who hosted or attended parties of 

 as required by university COVID-19 policy. 

, suspended students are barred from campus without permission. There is a formalized process for appealing suspensions, and Johnson said an unspecified number of students have already been cleared.

 students last week that those who did not adhere to requirements like wearing face masks, practicing physical distancing and limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people would face disciplinary action, regardless of whether misconduct happened on or off campus.

Being "placed on interim suspension, denied access to campus and removed from all but online classes" was listed as one potential consequence in the student conduct section of the university website. 

 attended such gatherings since the university's 

 began on Aug. 12, prompting concern and pleas for cooperation from administrators. 

Melissa Shivers, vice president for student life, wrote a 

 on Friday urging them to take the situation seriously. She said the school was in the process of opening dozens of conduct cases against individuals and student organizations for holding parties that week in violation of "safe and healthy" guidelines. 

[disciplinary] action we are taking will influence your decisions and prompt you to encourage others to take this situation seriously," she wrote.

 unveiled Tuesday, 80 students tested positive between Aug. 14 and 22. Twelve employees tested positive between Aug. 1 and 22. As of Monday, 34 students are in isolation and 29 are in quarantine on campus.  

 are grappling with spikes in cases linked to large gatherings — and some, like Ohio State, are also taking disciplinary action against students.

announced last week it had issued 23 interim suspensions to students who violated its

 in Minnesota said 17 students who participated in an off-campus party are suspended for the

 in Indiana also suspended 36 students for partying. 

And officials at other schools, including the 

, say they have revoked housing for students who have violated public health guidance.   

Education News

Health

COVID-19

Rachel Treisman

Author

Many of the students were attending off-campus parties in groups of 10 or more, prompting concern and pleas for cooperation from administrators. 

More than 200 Ohio State University students suspended for violating pandemic rules

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