UO disappointed after large party amid rising COVID cases
Hundreds of students gathered off-campus to celebrate the University of Oregon s annual spring football game after fans were no longer allowed in the stadium.
Credit: Mojo Hill via AP
In this May 1, 2021 photo provided by Mojo Hill, University of Oregon students and fans gathering at a cramped outdoor party in Eugene, Ore. The University of Oregon says it is disappointed to see the photo of more than 100 students at the same time that the region weathers a spike in cases of COVID-19 and businesses endure new restrictions. None of the packed party-goers in the photo are wearing masks. Eugene police responded to the party Saturday after calls about the large crowd, loud music and about people urinating in the front yard. (Mojo Hill via AP)
EUGENE, Ore. (KMTR/CNN) – A now-viral photo shows hundreds of University of Oregon students partying with no masks and no social distancing.
Mojo Hill lives nearby. He said, “Got bigger and bigger and I looked out the window and thought, ‘Wow that’s a lot of people. I should take picture of that.’”
Housemates Lucy Stout and Katie Freeman live down the street. Freeman said, “Yeah I’ve seen that photo.”
“Seeing that many houses have all those people, it’s just shocking,” Stout said.
It’s speculated that once that party wrapped up, others traveled toward Hillyard to another house where police ultimately responded.
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Just like in Marion and Polk counties, an uptick in local cases threw Eugene and Lane County back into extreme risk, upending the plans of many businesses, football fans and the community as a whole.
County commissioners wrote to the state asking it to reconsider and grant more local control on industry guidelines and focus on pushing more vaccinations.
But others didn t wait for permission. Instead, University of Oregon students hosted large backyard parties.
Apathy, frustration and resistance to state-imposed limitations on gatherings and businesses have come at a time when the state is working to contain surges. Much of the nation began to see a reprieve in the virus’ spread in April, but Oregon reported surges week after week.
Students react to viral pictures of packed tailgates for spring game
Photos of an off-campus tailgate are causing controversy. They show hundreds of students gathered to celebrate the annual spring football game.
Posted: May 2, 2021 5:30 PM
Updated: May 2, 2021 5:56 PM
Posted By: Chris Lindsay
EUGENE, Ore. - Photos of an off-campus tailgate which show hundreds of University of Oregon students gathering are causing controversy online.
UO s annual spring football game on Saturday did not allow fans in the stands due to Lane County s upgrade to the extreme risk level.
Mojo Hill, the UO sophomore that took the pictures, said he was surprised to an event like this after Lane County moved up to extreme risk.