Northeastern University In Boston In this Jan. 31, 2019, fiel photo, students walk on the Northeastern University campus in Boston. As concerns about China’s virus outbreak spread, universities all over the world are scrambling to assess the risks to their programs. (AP Photo/Rodrique Ngowi) more > Print By Jessica Chasmar - The Washington Times - Monday, August 24, 2020

Northeastern University in Boston sent a letter to more than 100 incoming freshmen threatening to revoke their admission after they indicated on social media they would be open to hosting or attending parties amid the coronavirus pandemic.

A Northeastern student had posted a survey on Instagram asking incoming students who was “planning on going/having parties” despite university rules to maintain social distancing. Senior Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Madeleine Estabrook told The Boston Globe that the student eventually gave up the names of the 115 people who responded in the affirmative. The university then contacted those students, threatening to rescind their offer of admission if certain conditions had not been met.

“It has been brought to our attention that on a social media platform you have indicated an intent to gather in large groups and engage in parties while disregarding numerous government and university restrictions regarding safe distancing and social gatherings during the COVID-19 crisis, and encouraged others to do the same,” Ms. Estabrook wrote in the letter . “Even if this gesture on social media was made in jest, your willingness to mock the well-being of our community, and the efforts made to protect it, demonstrates a degree of carelessness that does not meet the values and principles we uphold.” TOP STORIES