Statement from the Principal on COVID-19 and Queen’s Student Code of Conduct

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed the way all of us go about our daily lives. Concerns about spreading the virus are real and each member of our community must take responsibility for reducing the threat of infection. At this time, it is imperative that Queen’s students clearly understand the university’s position regarding student behaviour that disregards public health directives. The Student Code of Conduct applies to both on- and off-campus behaviors that risk or have potential to risk the safety of our community members in the university’s living, learning, or working environments.

Medical experts, including the KFL&A Medical Officer of Health and Queen’s Special Advisor on COVID-19, Dr. David Walker, have warned of the exponential risk of community spread caused by large social gatherings, particularly when people are not observing public health safety measures such as physical distancing, wearing face coverings, and simple hand hygiene. Gatherings of this sort have occurred in the university district and they must stop. While Kingston Police and bylaw officers have been responding to these gatherings, some students continue to engage in risky behaviour. This is not just disappointing but increasingly concerning as it presents a real and significant risk to our entire community. The university will take action to hold accountable those who flagrantly disregard these risks.

All students, whether living on or off campus, are expected to uphold public health directives, safety measures, and to demonstrate cooperative behaviour with our community enforcement agencies and  Kingston neighbours. I know many students are adhering to public health guidelines and government regulations, and I appreciate their diligence in helping to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our community.  Any student whose behaviour ignores provincial and other applicable regulations and is identified as a potential community safety risk, will be referred for review under our Student Code of Conduct and will be subject to sanctions available under the Code, including expulsion from the university.