March 25, 2021

Dear Students, 

We share in the excitement and pride of the continued success of Loyola University Chicago's men’s basketball team. As we celebrate their NCAA tournament run, however, we must not forget that we are still very much living through the COVID-19 pandemic. We all want and should show our Rambler spirit ahead of and during Saturday’s game. However, some of the behaviors that took place near the Lake Shore Campus this past Sunday after our win against Illinois were not acceptable or responsible forms of celebration. There were many students reported to have violated COVID-19 health and safety protocols, as well as open container laws. It was also simply disrespectful to the Rogers Park community, a community in which many Loyolans are guests. 

With the pandemic disproportionately affecting Black and Brown communities and Rogers Park being one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the city and in our country, we must hold ourselves and one another accountable to be safe and compliant with COVID-19 guidelines. To do so is one way we can actively support our communities of color. 

The University continues to do what it can to continue in-person offerings safely this spring, as well as move toward a full re-opening of campus operations come fall. Continued student compliance, which we commend you all for, is part of the reason we’ve been able to make progress in doing so. Large gatherings with no social distancing and other behaviors like we saw on Sunday, however, could set us back and jeopardize future in-person opportunities. This is especially concerning as the City of Chicago is now reporting a surge in COVID-19 cases. We encourage you to support and celebrate our Ramblers basketball team safely this coming Saturday, but we ask that you do so virtually or in small groups that are within the required personal safety practices.  

We cannot stress enough that COVID-19 compliance is everyone’s responsibility. For those who have continued to follow health and safety guidelines and comply with our on-campus surveillance testing protocols, we thank you. Please continue to do so and encourage your peers to do the same. If you see anything on or around Loyola’s campuses that you believe to be an infraction of COVID-19 safety practices, we ask that you contact 773-508-MASK (6275). Please avoid having what is truly a once-in-a-lifetime celebratory event turn into a matter that results in a referral to the Office of Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution and, more importantly, a rise in COVID-19 cases in Chicago, led by young adults and college students.

Again, we extend our gratitude to students who have continued to follow health and safety guidelines as people for and with others. Please keep yourselves and one another safe, and Go Ramblers! 

Sincerely, 

Maddie Drescher 
President, Student Government of Loyola Chicago 

William Rodriguez 

Assistant Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students