Late Tuesday, Aug. 25, The Paladin received reports of potential COVID-19 cases in Furman’s North Village housing complex. This is the first news of any COVID-19 activity on campus, excepting one early case, announced in an official university communication on Friday, Aug. 21.    

The news comes after a busy weekend of partying. According to a student with knowledge of the situation, three North Village apartments are currently under investigation by the administration for conduct violations from Friday night alone. Hosts are facing policy charges and over 20 attendees of various parties could be facing conduct violations as well.  

However, a student who may have been exposed to the virus said that the case may not have been related to on-campus activities, but rather “exposure at an off-campus event over the weekend.” The student also shared that he and his friends have been “notified by contact tracers to quarantine in place until they receive test results.”

Furman faculty members are also aware of the situation unfolding on campus. One professor reported that there is “a COVID-19 case in North Village,” after a student notified the faculty member that, “one of their roommates has it,” and that “their whole apartment is quarantined for 14 days.”

When asked to comment on the reported cases, the university cited concerns surrounding FERPA and HIPAA privacy protections, but told reporters that they are planning on posting a new COVID-19 dashboard on the Furman Focused website later this afternoon. According to a university official, the dashboard will provide more specific data about the state of COVID-19 cases on Furman’s campus.