Duke investigating multiple COVID-19 misconduct allegations

Duke University officials said Tuesday they are investigating seven instances where students broke coronavirus pandemic-related rules "involving more flagrant misconduct and persistent non-compliance by individuals or groups of students."

In a letter sent out Tuesday to undergraduates, officials said they identified 11 students with COVID-19 as of last Friday out of 5,765 tests administered to undergraduate and graduate students who have returned to campus since Aug. 2. Officials said those students are in quarantine and are receiving support from Student Health until they are cleared by medical staff.

As of Friday, Duke says seven students were also placed in quarantine on the campus, and 66 were asked to quarantine off-campus.

"Consistent with individual student privacy regulations governed by federal law (FERPA), the Office of Student Conduct will not release identifying information for individual students who are formally sanctioned," Gary G. Bennett, vice provost for undergraduate education at Duke, said in an email to students. "If found responsible, these students and student organizations face a range of possible sanctions, including disciplinary probation, suspension to be served in an upcoming term, immediate suspension or removal from campus or permanent dismissal from Duke."

School officials have not said whether the new COVID-19 cases will impact in-class learning or if changes would be made to online learning.