DURHAM, N.C. — The typically bustling campus of Duke University is quiet this week after the college issued a stay-in-place order.

 

What You Need To Know

  • Students who live on campus can only leave their residence halls to get food, see health services, or to receive a COVID-19 test

  • Over 200 students tested positive for COVID-19 between March 8 and March 14

  • The Durham IFC in response established a hotline for students to report violations of the stay-in-place order or COVID-19 protocols

 

The week-long directive was prompted after over 200 undergraduate students tested positive for COVID-19, marking the highest number of positive cases in a single week.

Students who live on campus are only allowed to leave their residence halls to get food, visit health services, or to receive a COVID-19 test.

According to the university, 19,131 tests were conducted among 9,675 students between March 8 and March 14 and 211 undergraduate students tested positive for COVID-19.

The results during that time period nearly equated to the number of positive cases reported during the college's entire first semester at 241, according to Duke statistics.

Duke administration officials confirmed to Spectrum News 1 that at least some of the positive cases are linked to off-campus fraternity recruitment parties that were not permitted by the university or the Durham Interfraternity Council.

“It is unfortunate certainly because a lot of people have worked really, really hard over the course of the year and will continue to work hard. But it is even more important to address the potential health issues," says Michael Schoenfeld, Duke University's Chief Communications Officer.

He says that the university is investigating the spike and plans to "hold individuals accountable" with penalties that could exceed suspension.

Students on campus expressed frustration about the stay-in-place order and told us that they hope this week teaches students who violate the COVID-19 rules a lesson.

"It doesn’t look like everybody is happy with them so maybe they’ll take this into account the next time they decide to do something out of bounds with their activities," one student says.

Will Santee, President of the Durham Interfraternity Council, told Spectrum News 1 that his organization is "upset about that some of these events [are] occurring."

"At the end of the day, we want to say as the Durham IFC and as kids in fraternities, we're not bad people, we want to work with Duke, we want to be friends with everyone," Santee explains. "We want to hear what everyone has to say."