UMASS Amherst violation of the code of student conduct

How is it that over 354 freshmen students at UMass-Amherst, have been removed from residence halls for a violation of the COVID-19 policies? These were high school seniors last year who experienced isolation, loneliness and depression from not being able to attend school inperson, socialize, have a senior trip, a prom, athletics or even graduation…

It might be an effective way of preventing serious offenses to give a penalty commensurate with the violation. Removing them from residence halls and sent home while their

parents still need to pay for their room and board is a terrible hardship.

Why not give a warning for a first time offense for their breach of a rule and their future ability to make choices and judgments and learn from this experience.?.

It is heartbreaking to know just how happy these freshmen were to be accepted at umas-amherst, and their plans to on go there in the fall only to be informed a few days earlier that they would need to stay home and take online classes. Then finally their is the recent decision to be able to come to their residence halls albeit without a roommate and take online classes again. Now, just a few short weeks later, the policies have changed to in- person classes And eating at the cafeteria..

I write this as a retired CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate for children) volunteer.

I sincerely hope that those responsible at umass-amherst reconsider and understand the harm that their decisions are doing to the health and well being of these freshmen….

I am sending along a copy of this letter to the umass undergraduate department as well.

— Dorothy M. Girouard Tyngsboro