U of G party of nearly 750 students leads to investigations, tickets, damaged residence building

Hundreds of students partying outdoors last Friday has led to a damaged residence building, tickets, and an ongoing investigation at the University of Guelph.

Deirdre Healey, communications coordinator at the U of G said there were approximately 500 to 750 students gathered outdoors on Friday before campus safety police responded to the scene.

“The university has protocols, policies and standards that those on campus must abide by including the provincial and university's COVID-19 protocols and the university’s policy on non-academic misconduct. Students living in residence must also abide by the residence community living standards,” said Healey. 

“Penalties under these protocols, policies and standards include warnings, restitution, fines, suspension or expulsion, and, in the case of students living in residence, eviction.”

Healey confirmed that the gathering led to damage to a drainpipe attached to one of the residence buildings. 

The U of G campus safety office issued four tickets for open alcohol in relation to the parties on the weekend, the U of G said.

“The situation is still under investigation so further charges may result,” said Healey.

Healey said the university is investigating the situation including reviewing the security camera footage. She said anyone with information about the gathering is asked to contact Crime Stoppers or U of G’s campus safety office. 

Healey said U of G’s campus safety office issued 86 provincial offence notices — each $750 — under the Reopening of Ontario Act since January. 

Since last January, it also issued 46 infractions under the university’s policy of non-academic misconduct which are related to failure to adhere to COVID-19 prevention protocols and guidelines.

Healey said infractions include penalties related to failure to adhere to COVID prevention protocols and guidelines. They can vary in severity and can be a warning, a fine, suspension or expulsion.