Speaking in one voice. It is something our state Sen. George Borrello has consistently pushed for during his time as an elected official.

That is why last week’s joint announcement by Fredonia Mayor Douglas Essek and Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas was so significant. The leaders of the two largest municipalities in northern Chautauqua County made it clear to new and returning State University of New York at Fredonia students that if there are gatherings or parties, there will be consequences.

“Right now large gatherings and/or parties are problematic at best, and potentially disastrous at worst,” the mayors wrote, noting the news from across the nation of universities already forced to move to distance education because of outbreaks attributed to large gatherings. “For you to stay in Fredonia this semester, and for all the hard work and the planning to pay off, you simply cannot host parties. The police departments in both municipalities work closely with Fredonia’s Office of Student Conduct, and violators are subject to appropriate disciplinary action.”

With this letter — and the university’s own policies — there is no excuse for students. As of Friday, there has already been one positive case. We, as a community, need to make sure we’re doing our part as well to keep those numbers down.