Clermont Times

Washington, D.C. - The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, led by Chairman Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), has launched an investigation into the University of Maryland's COVID-19 policies, which are raising concerns about the wellbeing of its students. The University's directive, which requires students who test positive for COVID-19 to be immediately removed from their dorms and placed in isolation, is facing scrutiny for its potential harm to students and the utilization of federal relief funds.

In a letter to University of Maryland President Darryll Pines, Chairman Wenstrup expressed his concerns, stating, "Maryland seems to be reinstituting the same disastrous policies it implemented during the beginning of the pandemic at the expense of its students." He highlighted that students who test positive are being removed from their dorms without providing temporary housing accommodations and are being sent to their "permanent" homes, potentially putting older, more at-risk parents at risk. Additionally, some students are being required to isolate at nearby hotels, with the presumption that the students' parents are responsible for the costs. This raises questions about how the University allocated its federal Coronavirus dollars.

The Select Subcommittee's investigation has previously revealed the negative consequences of prolonged school closures and hybrid learning programs on students' mental health, learning loss, and physical health. The reintroduction of similar policies at the University of Maryland is deemed counterproductive and nonsensical when considering the available science and data.

The investigation aims to shed light on the University's decision-making process and ensure that the wellbeing of students is prioritized. The utilization of federal relief funds is also a significant concern that warrants further examination.

The University of Maryland, which has received hundreds of millions of dollars in COVID-19 aid, will have to provide answers to the Select Subcommittee's inquiries. The investigation seeks to hold the University accountable for its policies and decisions that impact the lives of its students.

The full letter from Chairman Wenstrup to President Pines can be accessed here [link to the letter].

As the investigation unfolds, it is expected that the University of Maryland will provide a comprehensive response addressing the concerns raised by the Select Subcommittee. The wellbeing of students is of utmost importance, and any policies that may potentially harm their health and wellbeing should be reconsidered in light of available evidence.

The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic continues to monitor and investigate COVID-19 policies across various institutions to ensure that the response to the pandemic is both effective and mindful of the impact on students and communities.

Click this link to access more information: https://wenstrup.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=407833