Cal Poly students celebrate ‘St. Fratty’s Day’ at Saturday street party despite COVID-19
Cal Poly is investigating videos appearing to show students celebrating “St. Fratty’s Day” with large gatherings in San Luis Obispo streets Saturday morning, as videos circulate on Instagram.
No one appeared to be wearing face coverings or social distancing — despite ongoing health orders amid the COVID-19 pandemic — in four videos posted to Cal Poly Barstool’s Instagram story Saturday morning.
A photo with the account’s Instagram story said, “Watch Out For Narks,” with a four-leaf clover emoji.
The first video, filmed Saturday at 6:43 a.m., shows a large group of people wearing green gathered in the street.
More people are seen running through the street in a second video shared on Cal Poly Bartstool’s Instagram story, which has since been deleted.
A man wearing a green shirt and a green hat climbed a utility pole in a third video. He is seen drinking a beer as a crowd of people cheer below.
In a fourth video, a woman is seen climbing a utility pole.
Cal Poly is aware of the videos and is “extremely disappointed in the behavior they display,” Director of Media Relations Matt Lazier wrote in an email to The Tribune.
“We are looking into the gatherings that took place today to determine whether Cal Poly students or organizations were involved, and we will respond appropriately to all violations of health and safety guidelines,” Lazier wrote.
The San Luis Obispo Police Department is working with the Cal Poly Police Department to address the gatherings, according to Lazier.
Lazier said the university will hold students who receive citations accountable through Cal Poly’s Student Code of Conduct, which says students cannot violate local, state or federal laws.
“As we have made a point to continue telling our campus community: We are not out of the woods yet in regard to the ongoing pandemic, and we need each member of our community to recommit to practicing safe and healthy behaviors and abiding by all university, county and state guidelines,” Lazier wrote.
Fines and arrests made
According to the San Luis Obispo Police Department, two DUI arrests of partygoers were made. “A myriad of citations” for municipal code violations, including COVID-related order violations, were given, the agency said Saturday afternoon.
Fines for noise violations, public urination and open container are doubled from $350 to $700 due to a city-wide emergency Safety Enhancement Zone during the pandemic. Fines for unruly gatherings and violation of public health order disallowing gatherings are $100, according to the city.
Incidents with Cal Poly students in violation of the orders may be reported to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilites. If students do not comply with COVID-19 safety protocols, they may face student conduct action including suspension or expulsion, according to the office.
People may report COVID-related order violations by calling County COVID Enforcement at 805-788-2222.
This story was originally published March 13, 2021 at 1:28 PM.
