The University of Notre Dame’s president is voicing his disappointment in his campus following the Irish’s football team’s 2-overtime game victory over the then number one team Clemson University. After winning the game 47-40, a crowd of more than 11,000 fans, mostly students, stormed the field, amid the current coronavirus pandemic.
Notre Dame has the same security as the World Series https://t.co/8q0tHl4gs7
— Gump Cathcart (@bubbagumpino) November 8, 2020
The following night, Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins issued a letter to the students stating: ‘As exciting as last night’s victory against Clemson was, it was very disappointing to see evidence of widespread disregard of or health protocols at many gatherings over the weekend.’
The university recorded one new case on Saturday, bringing their total to 1,355 cases, with 208 of them being active.
Now, Jenkins has forbidden students from leaving the South Bend area until they receive negative COVID-19 test results. He has stated that the school will place a hold on any students’ record “who fails to appear for testing when asked to do so,” thus leaving those students unable to register for classes or receive a transcript.
‘Please finish this semester strong by wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance, washing your hands, and completing your daily health check,’ the letter stated.
Jenkins, 66, himself has been at the forefront of scrutiny after contracting COVID-19 following a White House event on September 26.
According to reports, he tested positive for COVID-19 less than a week after attending the event for a former student. There, he was seen not wearing a mask and shaking hands with people.
The university president was immediately criticized on social media for his choices and failure to lead by example at the University of Notre Dame.
“In fairness to the Notre Dame fans, university President John Jenkins didn’t set a great standard in regards to super spreader events,” a Twitter user wrote.
Over 200 students signed a petition to the university asking for Jenkins’ resignation due to his hypocrisy in implementing COVID-19 guidelines for the school but failing to follow them himself.
Jenkins has since apologized to the campus in a letter on Sept. 28 as he “regret(s) my error of judgment in not wearing a mask during the ceremony and by shaking hands with a number of people in the Rose Garden.”
“I failed to lead by example, at a time when I’ve asked everyone else in the Notre Dame community to do so,” he continued.
