Santa Clara University joined a growing list of universities that are encouraging students to anonymously snitch on each other under the guise of the coronavirus pandemic.
In an email to parents and students obtained by The Daily Wire, Santa Clara University encouraged students to use an anonymous tip line to inform the university about large gatherings. Under the university’s conduct code, students who are caught hosting or attending events with more than three households are subject to a fine and suspension from the university.
“Gatherings that include more than three households are prohibited — this includes everyone present, including hosts and guests,” the email reads. “Failing to abide by recommended isolation and quarantine recommendations are subject to a fine of $500 and suspension from the university.”
Students who violate the conduct code are subject to an expedited hearing process from the Office of Student Life.
In the same email, students were encouraged to wear masks, socially distance, and limit contact to people within their immediate households. It also encouraged students to “challenge [their] peers to do better.”
The email proceeded to link to a coronavirus “misconduct” reporting system called “General Student Misconduct Form.” Students are not required to submit their names or contact information when reporting another student. Critics fear that this could lead to bias reporting. The same email encouraged students to call the police if they have first-hand information about plans for large gatherings.
Vice Provost of Student Life Jeanne Rosenberger rationalized the tip line by expressing fear over the new coronavirus variants from the United Kingdom and South Africa.
“Given the emerging information about new COVID-19 variants and the overall potential risk of not following County health directives, our COVID-19 protocols are more important than ever to protect the health and safety of every member of the Santa Clara and local communities,” Rosenberger said.
Meanwhile, the university’s president, Kevin O’Brien, flouted Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations and flew across the country to attend President Joe Biden’s inauguration. According to Mercury News, O’Brien presided over a Mass event attended by Joe Biden ahead of the presidential swearing-in ceremony.
Santa Clara University is among many universities that are cracking down on COVID-19 compliance with anonymous tip lines. According to Campus Reform, other schools that are encouraging students to snitch on each other include Binghamton University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Tulane University, and the University of Virginia.
The Daily Wire reported in September that Purdue University suspended 14 students for holding a party that violated the school’s coronavirus restrictions. Thirteen of the students were athletes.
At the University of Illinois, students were arrested for violating the school’s social distancing guidelines. The University of Illinois Police Department issued two students three court summons following an investigation into a party, Campus Reform reported. Charges include, “hosting a nuisance party, endangering public health, and reckless conduct.”