UNC Slammed for Photo of Students Lined Up to Share Water Fountain Amid COVID Pandemic

Earlier this week, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill honored a decades-old tradition—but it's one that many feel is at odds with the still-raging COVID-19 pandemic.

On Monday, the university shared a series of images on their Twitter account, featuring countless students waiting in line to take a sip from the "magical" Old Well water fountain. "First sips," reads the caption, highlighting the communal nature of the event, in which the fountain is used by several people in rapid succession.

Taking a sip from the Old Well water fountain is a well-documented tradition that UNC students participate in each year. According to the school's lore, "a drink from the Old Well before a student's first class of the semester can bring good luck in the form of good grades, even a 4.0."

Many, however, felt that upholding the long-standing tradition, given the rapidly spreading Delta variant, was not worth the potential health and safety risks. The post gained traction on Twitter in the hours after it was shared, with many criticizing the University's nonchalant attitude.

Tweeted contributing writer for The Atlantic Jemele Hill: "This ain't the flex y'all think it is."

"This is a great, just absolutely perfect, depiction of American coronavirus policy over the past 18 months," added podcast host and author Allie Beth Stuckey.

Others, meanwhile, found humor in the absurdity of the situation.

"Here at the Prestigious Institute of Higher Education, we refuse to allow Covid to stop us from carrying on the tradition of everyone licking the same doorknob," joked producer Matt Scalici.

Huffington Post editor—and UNC journalism professor—Kate Sheppard also chimed in, noting: "I see everyone is rushing delta this year."

Many more simply appeared horrified by the display. "Oh dear God," wrote reporter Kelsey Thompson.

"Can't fathom anyone thinking this was a good idea, let alone posting photos of it," added journalist Aaron Rupar.

On Monday, the university's student newspaper, The Daily Tar Heel, announced that the Old Well tradition would go forward "with COVID-19 safety precautions" in place, including "ambassadors to support distancing in the line."

Added UNC's Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Amy Johnson: "We ask that students who decide to take a sip from the Old Well on the first day of classes for good luck consider wearing a mask and keeping their distance if there is a line on Wednesday."

Following the controversy, UNC spokesperson Pace Sagester released the following statement to Newsweek: "As the University returns to an on-campus experience this semester, the Old Well remained on and functional for students to take a sip for good luck with their academics—a time-honored tradition at Carolina. The University consulted with public health experts prior to the event, and the experts agreed the tradition was fine to proceed, as there is little to no evidence of surface transmission of the coronavirus."

He added that "students that chose to participate were encouraged to wear a mask while waiting in line and University ambassadors were on hand to support physical distancing. For students who wished to participate in the tradition but did not want to wait in line, bottled 'well water' was made available at multiple locations on campus."

Updated 08/20/2021, 9:29 a.m. ET: This story has been updated to include a statement from a university spokesperson.