Purdue suspends 36 students after party

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WISH) — A total of 36 Purdue University students have been suspended following a party at a co-op.

The university announced the suspensions following a Aug. 19-20 event at Circle Pines Cooperative.

University representatives say the interim suspensions can be appealed but an “ultimate sanctioning decision” will come at a later date following a full hearing.

Katie Sermersheim, associate vice provost and dean of students, released this statement:

Purdue University has been clear and consistent with our messaging to students about the Protect Purdue Plan and the expectations they would need to follow if they made the decision to be on campus this fall. Unfortunately, everything we have done – the months of planning to give our students the opportunity to continue their educational pursuits in person – can be undone in the blink of an eye – with just one party or event that does not follow the rules and guidelines.

We will continue to call upon our entire university community – faculty, staff, and students – to honor and embrace all aspects of the Protect Purdue plan in order to help us all meet our collective health responsibilities. We are social creatures and yearn for human interactions and engagement with one another – no one is denying that. We are just asking that we put on hold large gatherings in confined spaces until this global pandemic can be better understood and controlled. Until such time, students must find lower risk activities in which to connect with one another or run the risk of a code violation.

Dr. Katie Sermersheim, Associate Vice Provost & Dean of Students

The university says the suspensions are a result of the students violating the Protect Purdue Pledge.

Indiana University has also said students will be suspended following a party on Wednesday.