One Of America's Leading Aviation Learning Centers Is Serious About COVID-19 Prevention

ERAU, a leading aviation university, has busted some students for unsafe behavior.

What kind of behavior?

Low-flying?

FAR Violations?

Nope... COVID-19 related 'unsafe behaviors.'

The University is being pretty forceful with their concerns and decisions... "We are dealing with a virus that has claimed 947,266 lives worldwide and 197,763 in the United States, as of Sept. 18. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has been challenged by students, faculty, staff and parents as well as our broader communities to do the right thing and provide the safest possible environment for everyone to continue with face-to-face instruction.

Doing the right thing requires accountability. The overwhelming majority of our community is leaning into the current historic challenge. A few have recklessly disregarded our policies, choosing to put all of us and our families at risk. Students who participated in recent high-risk activities showed no concern for their fellow students, or for their families or broader community."

Embry-Riddle has therefore made 'the difficult decision to suspend a number of students across both of our residential campuses for failure to comply with our safety protocols.'

The students are out of luck for the rest of the term and were reportedly found to be, 'hosting or participating in parties where face coverings, physical distancing rules and other directives were ignored.'

ERAU claims that, "Our university’s mandatory health precautions have been communicated clearly and repeatedly. All enrolled students, faculty, staff and parents were advised of our safety rules through multiple messages and other communication well before fall semester classes began, and by returning to our campuses, students chose to attend in-person classes and abide by those rules...." and indeed, they have.  

Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler described the suspension of students as a difficult but necessary decision in order to protect the collective health of the university community and has commended all those who are following the rules.

“Navigating the Covid-19 pandemic will be this generation’s Great Depression,” Dr. Butler said. “When you look back on this time in your life, you will want to look back with pride, knowing that you faced a daunting challenge head-on. You will want to tell your future employers and your children that you made tough personal sacrifices to serve your country. To everyone in the Embry-Riddle family who has been selflessly doing the right things – thank you. Your strength of character and patriotism will serve you well throughout your lives.”

Attending ERAU is not a cheap proposition and the school hasn't indicated whether tuition and fees will be refunded to those are being forced to forgo their education for the next several months after being caught in violation of University COVID-19 restrictions.

FMI: www.erau.edu