With springtime comes nice weather, flowers, and apparently an increase in parties at IU. IUPD has seen an uptick in parties since it started to get warmer. IU police say these parties are often not socially distanced and most students are not wearing masks. Many of these parties spill out into the yards, prompting neighbors to call in and report them.
One weekend in March, IUPD says it was called to break up more than a half dozen 6 to 8 large parties each night. The parties ranged in size from about a dozen students to more than a hundred. Students who attended these parties are currently meeting with student conduct to determine their punishment. Some of these parties had 15 people at them while others had ten times that many. One party IUPD went to had 180 people in attendance and they were not social distancing and not wearing masks. Many IU students, like Ryli Hockensmith, are disheartened to hear how so many of their peers are engaging in reckless behavior in the middle of a pandemic.
“I do think there is a little bit of selfish behavior being present. You know we’re a long way from the pandemic being over and so many people have had to sacrifice a lot in the past year,” says Hockensmith.
When IUPD arrives, they begin taking names. While the penalties for hosting and attending these parties ranges in terms of severity most students face suspension. This suspension would prohibit students from campus activities- including classes, and events. In some cases, students face expulsion.
Social media has also played a role in helping police bust unsafe parties. Many students openly post photos and videos on their snapchat or other accounts, showing large mask-less parties. There are quite a few videos on IU’s Barstool affiliate page that students have sent in to be posted. Students like Hockensmith hope to remind IU students that it will take everyone to help end this pandemic.
“I think it’s just reminding everyone that we’re in this together and you know there will be a time where life will return back to normal and we just have to stick together and work hard to end the pandemic, “says Hockensmith.
Governor Holcomb has announced Hoosiers who are 16 years old and up can get the vaccine. The statewide mask mandate ends April 6th, although individual counties have the right to keep it in place. Among the counties choosing to do so are Monroe and Marion counties, covering Bloomington and Indianapolis. Masks are also required statewide in government facilities and individual businesses also have the right to require them statewide.
