Isla Vista Sorority Members Throw Large Party Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

August 24, 2020, 11:41 am 31.7k Views 46 Comments

By edhat staff

A social media video shows an Isla Vista house with residents in a sorority throwing a large outdoor party, breaking the Governor imposed COVID-19 pandemic rules. 

The video posted on Twitter shows at least fifty people in the backyard of what’s described as a “Delta Gamma Senior House” in close proximity to one another. 

Governor Newsom and the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department have issued health orders prohibiting gatherings of anyone outside your home. When in contact with people outside of your immediate home, people are required to wear a face mask and keep at least six feet of distance between each other.

The person who shared the video stated on Twitter that they live next door to the home that’s inhabited by members of the Delta Gamma sorority and have witnessed at least two parties.

Another Twitter user reached out to UC Santa Barbara’s Office of Student Life Director, Jonathan Ng, regarding the party. In a publicly posted email, Ng stated the governing council for this organization was made aware of the situation and has “initiated their judicial process.”

As of Friday, one person died in Isla Vista due to COVID-19. They were between 50-69 years of age, had underlying health conditions, and were associated with a congregate-care facility.

Last week the Public Health Department stated new COVID-19 cases have decreased throughout the county, except in Isla Vista where they will now be focusing their efforts.

County Health Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg made a point to state this is not just a virus for older people. Younger people are at risk of infection and have a greater likelihood of spreading the virus than older people, additionally, approximately 40% of hospitalizations within Santa Barbara County are people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, he said.

[Editor’s Note: A correction has been made to properly identify the location of this party at a house with Delta Gamma sorority residents, not the official sorority house.]

Edhat Staff

Written by Edhat Staff

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46 Comments

  1. When you are told you now have only 10 more years left on this planet, over and over and over again, i can see why they are partying as if there was no tomorrow. They may well believe this. Plus party now, because if they do survive the 10 year mass extinction threat, they are stuck with the entire clean-up tax penalties to pay off the massive public pension debts run in their name.

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  2. Another Byzzare comment. You seem like a person of a certain age who is at high-risk of contracting and dying from this virus. Keep in mind a lot of these students work at grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, wineries, and more places that you frequent.

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  10. 3P14159 – Actually a great idea and one that the LA mayor has implemented. We need that kind of tough consequences here. Our #s are finally going down and there’s a glimmer of hope for us parents that the kids might see the inside of a classroom sometime soon, but then these idiots go and pull stuff like this. THIS is what will fire up the numbers again and keep our kids out of school and people out of work!

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  12. I’m so damn mad now. Last week we heard that Covid was increasing in IV…just about the time UCSB idiots were coming back. And my term idiots is well taken. I don’t care what boomers did, or anyone else when they were at school…..we DIDN’T have an epidemic that was killing everyone you fools! So, stay in and lock yourselves in. And damn you, how dare you take chances like that. There is senior retirement housing. Friendship Manor, where everyone who lives there is 62 and over. We don’t want your damn cooties here. It was great all spring and summer when you weren’t here, go back to where you came from! And just like the one reader states…..I’m an not shopping anywhere in Goleta….where you buy your party booze and snacks, nor Albertsons, and where on Calle Real……I’m heading to upper state and closer to town for ANYTHING a I need. And UCSB, you better get off your damn arses and give these people the word or your gonna have a senior revolt on your hands……and we ain’t pretty! STOP NOW IDIOTS,

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  16. Sadly they’ll end up in our hospital here, as they spread their germs around town, and could quickly create a bed shortage. For what? Cheap thrill of freedom, getting drunk, high, college sex with strangers… bunch of idiots.

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  18. Other businesses and institutions have adapted to the new restrictions and successfully resumed their operations. I think the Greek community can do the same. First, No more parties! It’s time to rebrand. I see two simple ways to achieve compliance. Option 1: declare the location of the next gathering a Homeless encampment and have all attendees sign a declaration stating they are homeless and they reside in the encampment. The gathering is now exempt from the public health orders and in compliance with all applicable regulations. As an added benefit, caltrans may provide free dumpster services and help with the cleanup. Option 2: declare the next gathering a protest. Pick a state approved left wing cause and have a couple of speakers during the event. Make some signs for decoration and it could be a fun theme for a “gathering”. The kids will find a way to outwit all the Ed Rooneys out there. Life must go on…

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  19. i love how ‘herd immunity’ has become a buzzword(s) for the most ignorant amongst us. covid herd immunity is not happening i’d bet my bottom dollar and my left kidney. half my liver. my nintendo switch and my free weights. we’d have to intentionally infect everyone and kill like 10 million people.

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  21. What’s going on in I.V. is stupid, selfish and deadly, a particularly modern twist to college life. Getting a little tired of those complaining that the “boomers” partied also, as if that is any excuse. First of all there was no deadly pandemic and warnings from the health department to not congregate in large groups. Second, we had little to celebrate as the Viet Nam war was raging and young men were being drafted right out of college, MLK and Bobby Kennedy had recently been murdered, and many of us were putting ourselves through school, working between classes., before school started, during summers and during the breaks. It didn’t matter in those days if you were first generation college or not, and although it was a LOT cheaper, there was not a lot of financial aid. So little time or money to waste on large parties for most of us.

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  25. I don’t get it…….prior to Covid, the County and UCSB instruct the cops to go full force against parties , bands, and drinking laws (like underage drinking, open container, drunk in public ). They do this , they say, because the above are threats to the health, safety, morals, and/or welfare of the individual/public.
    Now, what can be a worse threat to individuals/public than Covid-19 ….and yet, nothing is being done to control it in Isla Vista. I see packs of students (10 +) walking around w/o masks all the time. BTW, UCSB doesn’t start until end of September. That’s when it is really going to hit. Also, if you think…oh it’s only IV…NOT ! Lots of students now live in SB and Goleta. It will spread there. (The latest on Covid is that herd immunity is not happening….people can get it twice). Since the people who take Covid seriously are so limited in what they can do to protect themselves (ie lack of N-95 masks) , it is definitely the County/UCSB responsibility to protect the public. Look at the hefty penalties for a DUI. Why do we accept that ?? Because someone MIGHT get killed. How many DUI related deaths compared to COVID deaths ? If people can’t be responsible…ie masks, social distancing (really difficult, right ?) ….then, unfortunately, the authorities have to FORCE them to be responsible……so get with it….PLEASE !!

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  26. Chip I get your point but this is serious. They’re supposed to be here for an education not to get falling down drunk on weeknights. And spread infection throughout South County. Thus hurting tourist trade. They are outsiders. They can live here but they can’t be ground zero for lawless disregard. Otherwise, they can go back to Orange County where a lot of them, and their virus, came from. So far we’ve been doing pretty well in SB Co but they may ruin everything.

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  27. It’s very hard for kids to learn from the experiences of others. If any have been affected by the pandemic, they wouldn’t be there. Maybe this is the way to herd immunity, and they are willing to take the chance and lead the way.

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  28. Per the article above, “ As of Friday, one person died in Isla Vista due to COVID-19. They were between 50-69 years of age, had underlying health conditions, and were associated with a congregate-care facility.”
    Doesn’t sound like a student?
    So what students have tested positive and/or died since the start of school?
    Anyone have that figure(s)?

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  29. The point is these kids are carrying the virus and transmitting it at a high rate. One of these kids may work or have visited this facility or met someone who does, etc. If the partying stops, the transmission rate slows. See how that works? And UCSB has not officially started yet so more students will come back here making it much worse.
    Also, the article says that within our county, 40% of hospitalizations are between the ages of 20-49 so while they may not die, they’re still getting sick and spreading it like wildfire.

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  31. So sad that SB County is refusing to take any action against morons who are spreading the virus and keeping kids out of school and people out of work. At least Ohio has the right idea! https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/08/25/906039378/more-than-200-ohio-state-university-students-suspended-for-violating-pandemic-ru?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwAR1Z-f4vKmsorm9-hHKLAUVXPfcV-N90x2dQDlX4eHQHiUP2j80alGn0PdM

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  38. Also, college parties in the 60s were not raucous, large booze fests. Pot was illegal so parties tended to be mellow, with great music at a moderate decibel level, and care was taken not to draw undue attention to the party. No screaming, whooping, spilling over into public, although there was plenty of alcohol — didn’t have to make a spectacle to prove you were having a good time.

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  39. Looks like Beach City on the Mesa last weekend. The problem is none of these kids know each other anyway and if one of them did get the china virus until weeks later. “Bro where have you been? Last I saw you was DG party 3 weeks ago!” “Dude I think I got the covid (cough) and it was gnarly. I’ve literally been in bed sick as F until like yesterday. I’m barely able to walk again.” “Bro that’s crazy! Here have a drink, I’m glad you’re better again.” “Thanks!”

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  40. @edhat – check your facts before stirring up false narratives. Yes there was a party with people behaving badly, but it was not a sorority throwing the party — this was individuals (still behaving badly) and many were in the same sorority, but this was NOT as sorority party. Not sure if it was an “innocent” mistake as opposed to a willful lie, but it had the same impact of spreading a false narrative. It was not a sorority party — it was not held at the sorority house, it was not sanctioned by the chapter — it was at a private residence. Horrible during a pandemic = YES!! But why make false accusations and spread rumors? Really disappointed in the behavior of participating individuals, but even more appalled with edhat for irresponsibly twisting the facts and escalating the attacks on all of the women associated with that organization. What was the purpose of your misleading headline and fake news angle?

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  41. @Kelly, not sure why you’re so upset unless you were at this party or are the parent of one of these people? The article clearly states, “The video posted on Twitter shows at least fifty people in the backyard of what’s described as a ‘Delta Gamma Senior House’ in close proximity to one another.” Also if you read the twitter thread, the neighbors who captured the video verify this house is associated with the sorority. While the party may not have been at the huge house with DG letters on it, the girls that live here still represent their sorority and have to face the consequences.

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  42. Well I’m gonna have myself a nice long nap Friday and Saturday afternoon, and then you’re gonna see a bunch of seniors driving around looking . And listening. First party we hear, the police are getting called. Let them count heads and if it’s over the limit, we’ll, back home to mommy and daddy and hopefully a fine. And I’m going to do this each and every weekend.

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