STUDENTS who breach coronavirus guidelines by holding or attending parties will be suspended, the University of Edinburgh has said.
The university made the decision after police were called to break up several parties in its halls of residence.
Police were called to Pollock Halls recently after students refused to disperse after being asked to do so.
The deputy secretary of student experience, Gavin Douglas, said: “Neither the university nor the police can accept this sort of reckless and immature behaviour, which puts the health and safety of others at risk and wastes police time.
“As a University of Edinburgh student you are bound by the University’s Code of Student Conduct. Behaving in a way that impairs safety is an offence under the code.
“The university will take the strongest possible action under the code if there continue to be illegal gatherings of our students.”
Current coronavirus rules state social gatherings should consist of no more than six people from two households, either indoors or outdoors.
In Scotland there are exceptions in Glasgow, East and West Dunbartonshire, North and South Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire, where people are not allowed to host others inside their home or visit others’ homes at all due to an increase in coronavirus cases.
Douglas confirmed that students taking part in gatherings that breach these rules, either on or off campus, risk immediate suspension from the university and exclusion from their accommodation.
He added: “As a result of the problems in recent nights, we will be removing all outdoor seating from around the Pollock site.
“We are also ceasing the option to take food away from the John MacIntyre Centre and we will review this position regularly.
“The Covid-19 pandemic requires all of us to make changes to the way we live in order to stop the spread of disease and keep others safe.”
He urged new students starting at the university to “accept your new responsibilities and abide by the rules”.
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