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BOULDER, Colo. (KDVR) — On Tuesday, the total number of positive COVID-19 cases jumped to 859 at the University of Colorado Boulder — an increase of 94 compared to Monday. Meanwhile, disciplinary hearings continued for CU Boulder students who were issued citations for violating public health orders. 

As the number of students on the sidewalks of CU Boulder slows to a trickle, the move to remote learning and disciplining of students violating public health orders has sparked a new concern. 

“I think it’s just a step closer to us getting sent home, honestly,” CU student Ariana Gonzalez said. “Other schools in other states are getting sent home too and our cases are pretty high lately.”

Fourteen students have been cited for violating COVID-19-related health codes. They have been suspended until their hearings are concluded. 

“I think students need to be held accountable for their actions,” CU student Jayda Taylor said. “There’s no way that you shouldn’t be because from day one, you knew that you were not supposed to do this.”

The university has said the problem stems from a small group of students not obeying health orders. 

It’s the reason the university has had to create isolation dorms and begin all remote classes starting Wednesday. 

“I think the measures they are taking right now are not as effective as they would like them to be, just because it’s hard to discipline students. It’s hard to control students when there’s not a 24/7 watch on them,” Grace Kenny, a CU student, said.

Some students say police and dorm resident assistants have threatened to take their university ID cards if they’re seen not wearing a mask. But the threat of suspension, they feel, is most effective. 

“You need to have some kind of enforcement for the rules. You have to enforce it to some degree,” CU student Christopher Ladaw said.

CU Boulder told FOX31 the disciplinary hearings are protected by federal privacy laws. A hearing officer determines whether the charges are valid, or if that student should be kicked out for the rest of the semester. 

Recognizing the growing concern about the increase in positive COVID-19 cases in Boulder, the City of Boulder, the Boulder County Public Health Department and the University of Colorado-Boulder will begin offering weekly community briefings to provide updates to, and take questions from, the public.

The sessions will be online and community members will need to register in advance to gain access. The first session will be Thursday, Sept. 24, and will last an hour, from 10 to 11 a.m. Subsequent sessions will start at 10:15 and last 45 minutes. These briefings will be held on Thursday mornings until Nov. 20.

Use this sign-up link to gain access to the Sept. 24 briefing.