U of M COVID-19 restrictions drawing mixed reactions from students

The University of Minnesota is in phase one of its new COVID-19 restrictions for all students living on campus.

They’ve been there just over a week but there have already been some issues, including parties in the superblock on campus.

One of the students who attended said he doesn’t agree with all the restrictions.

"I think it’s the stupidest thing ever," said Teddy Lockhart, a freshman at the University of Minnesota.

Lockhart said he often attends parties in the superblock between Pioneer and Frontier Halls.

"I’m there every night, baby. I was right in the middle, it was like a moshpit, basically, and we had some music going, it was pretty sweet," Lockhart said.

School officials said they are reviewing video and will follow up with those students accordingly. But Lockhart isn’t worried about that or getting COVID-19.

"I’m pretty sure the younger you are the less chance you have of getting an illness like this, so that’s where I’m at," Lockhart said.

But this is serious for students like freshman Beckee Beulke.

"I’d say wear masks, follow the rules so that we can all get back to normal," said Beulke.

The university is currently in step one of its four-step Maroon and Gold Sunrise Plan. This means students live and learn almost exclusively from residence halls. Plus, no visiting other residence halls or off-campus businesses or apartments. Even their doors are monitored after 9 p.m.

"For me and my roommates, we’ve all been just staying in not really doing much," said Varun Agarwal, a junior at the U of M.

Phases two, three and four have more relaxed restrictions, including increased access to campus and later curfew.

"If the rules aren’t being followed, then it can’t start until later," Beulke said.

Some students still disagree with this plan.

"I don’t really agree with any of it so I’m just hoping they kind of come to their senses and let us be kids, honestly," Lockhart said.

Others believe a little cooperation can go a long way.

"If you want things to get to normal then you’ve got to sacrifice some things," Agarwal said.

Phase one is supposed to last approximately 10 days. The university declined our request for an interview to give a progress report on how the plan is going.

Officials did say in a statement that most students are complying and they’re still reviewing several factors before moving on to phase two.

For a full list of requirements within the phases, click here.