UMass follows suit, axes night events

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - UMass joins other communities in canceling evening outdoor activities.

Last week, school departments in Belchertown and Chicopee announced they were rescheduling outdoor events to happen before dusk.  Now, UMass is following suit.  Following a recent Department of Public Health advisory, university officials say they want to limit the students' exposure to mosquitoes.

“They sent an email out to all the students saying that all evening activities had been canceled due to the treat of mosquito borne illnesses,” said Deanna Calkins, a UMass freshman.   

UMass junior Pierre Payette told 22News the advisory won’t keep him from being outside.  “Of course that's the time mosquitoes are out but as long as I'm killing the ones that are trying to land on me, I feel like my chances are more or less ok,” said Payette outside the Student Union Thursday. 

The cancelation comes one week after a stabled horse infected with EEE was found in Belchertown , raising threat levels to "high" in neighboring communities like Ware and Amherst.  UMass athletes like Teea Rogers say they have noticed coaches are taking precaution.

“She just makes sure that we are all wearing bug spray all the time, we always have bottles in there to spray on us before and during practice,” said Rogers. 

The university will cancel all outdoor activities between dusk and dawn until the season's first hard frost.

“I guess if it prevents students from getting EEE, I guess they have the best interest at heart,” said UMass junior Mtali Banda.   

UMass Athletics spokesman John Sinnett says the only sport team whose games have been affected by this advisory is the field hockey team. Three upcoming games have been rescheduled to start in the early afternoon.

For a look at risk levels in your area, click here .