Author: d.jones

A close up of 3 young entrepreneurs persevering through COVID-19

 

A short narrative of Shanice Jones, a 14-year-old artist, who admires drawing portraits of people.

COVID-19 Concerns Calls for Virtual Graduation for Baruch Class of 2020

Host intro: Growing concerns progress amongst the Baruch student population as the number of COVID-19 cases rises in New York City. The Center for Disease Control has reported over 200,000 cases in New York City, one-third of the nation’s population. Local officials have placed restrictions on all public gatherings. This includes all graduation and commencement ceremonies. Baruch’s graduating class of 2020 floats in limbo, uncertain if the situation will subside in time for a ceremony to still carry on. The administration and students await further information on the possibilities of a virtual ceremony. Though this option would be the safest route, the effects on the Baruch Community are substantial. Here’s reporter Dashawn Jones with the story.

AMBI1: (Applause, Cheering:)

AMBI2🙁 Subsidted echos of clapping)

 

TRACK 1: A grand applause is what many graduates and beloved family members were anticipating for the class of 2020’s commencement celebration. However, due to recent efforts of decreasing the spread of COVID-19, a statewide mandate was issued banning all public gatherings for non-essential purposes until further notice. This is all terrible timing for ceremonies, including that for the graduating class of 2020 at Baruch College. Students face the burden of moving on to the next chapters in their life during an unprecedented time without the traditional celebration previous graduates experienced. It has sparked many conversations among students and faculty of the possibilities regarding a virtual celebration. I connected with student Carlos Ramos, current Baruch senior graduating this semester, who would be extremely disappointed if the administration moved forward with a virtual ceremony

 

ACT 1: Honestly, I’ll feel really sad…. disappointed… devastated.  We’ve been going to school for 4+ years, waiting for that moment to walk across the stage, getting a degree, taking a meaningful picture; being able to create a memory. It’s the defining moment of every graduate’s life to walk across the stage. Graduating virtually isn’t rewarding at all. It’s really going to be a big disappointment. Just thinking of it now makes me feel so sad..so sad.

 

TRACK 2: As the mediary between the student population and administration, Baruch’s Undergraduate Student Government has received numerous messages from future graduates affected by the ban. Students believe Baruch USG would be aware of the most recent updates before a mass email is sent to the entire campus. USG Board of Directors Member Meyer Estaville had a few remarks regarding the administration’s possible moves to a virtual ceremony.

 

ACT 2: I actually just got off a call with the dean of student life. Essentially what’s being discussed is a virtual ceremony. All of the details aren’t finalized but they’re trying their best to make it as good as possible. A lot of students are still looking towards an in-person ceremony. We know life at Baruch isn’t as a traditional college so they understand its important for students to have an in-person ceremony with their families. In addition, they are exploring possibilities of s seconded ceremony in person at a delayed date. 

 

TRACK 3: The official decision of the graduation outcome will be funneled down to all CUNY schools by Chancellor Feliz V. Matos Rodriguez. Though a statement has not been made, many faculty members of the Bruch administration believe a virtual ceremony would be the best option to maintain safety and adhere to the guidelines of the nation. Assistant Director of Operations for  Divisions of Enrollment Management and Strategy, Natalie Valesquez, believes it is highly probable for a digital celebration to replace the traditional graduation for 2020 graduates

 

ACT 3: As for a ceremony in person later this summer, frankly, I don’t see that happening. I could only imagine the amount of work, time, and months of planning to produce an event like commencement requires. It’s not something that can be thrown together overnight. Our students deserve better than that. Considering the day to day, month to month charges that we’re facing as a city, it’s difficult to plan anything. I just don’t know if that going to be a reality, unfortunately. 

 

TRACK 4: As COVID-19 continues to disrupt all aspects of everyday life, we will see more routine procedures reinventing the manner in which they are conducted. While graduation from college is truly a special time, students might face the reality that a transition to a virtual platform will save lives. Though each hardworking Baruch student deserves an appropriate commencement, these unprecedented times call for reform. Only time can tell what will happen in the coming weeks. Baruch students and faulty will remain hopeful that the situation subsides, and normal programming resumes.  For Baruch College, this is Dashawn Jones in New York City.

 

A close-up of 3 small business owners (clothing brand, makeup artist, hairstylist) struggles and innovations with maintaining sales through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Host intro: (Growing concerns progress amongst the Baruch student population as the number of COVID-19 cases rises in New York City. This new virus, whose origins have been traced back to the foreign seafood market of Wuhan, China, infects the respiratory system of those who contract it causing illness and even death in the most severe cases. Some students are beginning to questions the actions of the administration, urging them to stay ahead of this imminent threat while others believe the situation is being handled effectively. Here’s reporter Dashawn Jones with the story.

AMBI1: (NATURAL SOUND 1: SNEEZING, COUGHING)

AMBI2: (ROOM TONE 1)

TRACK: As I enter the halls of Baruch Campus, a new uniform decorates the hands and faces of each student; medical face masks and latex gloves. News spread fast about the novel Coronavirus as the number of cases in New York City begins to rise. Baruch campuses, located in between lower and midtown Manhattan, have become the new epicenter for the 1000 cases that have been reported in the city. I stand with Julissa Brown, Baruch student, who believes the situation is being controlled.

ACT: I think the administration is doing a good job right now by informing us through emails to wash our hands and stay safe. I don’t think it’s a big deal right now or serious where coronavirus is concerned
TRACK: While Baruch administration has sent numerous emails on hygiene to prevent contracting the virus, Private colleges have begun to close their doors and switch to virtual courses for the remainder of the semester. Baruch’s responses to the epidemic have stirred up conversation among students, questioning if the actions are enough in an effort to keep the student population safe. Baruch student, Patrice Gonzalez thinks their efforts can be increased.

ACT: Honestly at the moment we have just been receiving a bunch of emails just basically having hygiene protocols but there have been other colleges who shut down their institutions in order to protect their students and their staff. I feel like that is something that Baruch should also take into considerations, following what other colleges are doing by just closing down the colleges until further notice.

TRACK: The Center for Disease Control reports that COVID-19 has a contraction factor of 2, indicating how quickly it can spread between individuals who come in contact with it. Is handwashing and sanitizing truly enough to help prevent the spread? Biology major, John Watson disagrees. Here’s his take on the severity of the epidemic.

 

I think COVID is much more severe than they are telling us and I think that washing our hands constantly before we do things is not enough. We need to practice social distancing we need to stay 6 feet apart.

TRACK: The students of Baruch seem torn between the actions of the administration however, one thing is certain. COVID-19 is a viral disease that has serious health implications. Failure to act now could lead to a spread among the students and put lives at risk. Not only each other but the individuals they come in contact with. The next few days will be crucial for understanding what the next steps Baruch will take to help prevent the exposure to the virus. “For Baruch College, this is Dashawn Jones in New York City.”

 

Local and national news stations report new cases daily of the Novel Coronavirus as it begins to spread across the globe with growing potentials to be the next epidemic virus.  With reports of NYC’s first positive case and monitoring of 11 other local cases, Baruch students have begun to express fear and notions for the college’s administration to take action. Current Baruch Student Z.L* took the initiative to start a petition calling for the increased precautions and possible closure of the campus in efforts to protect the Baruch student community. The petition has received over 2500 signatures from Baruch students in 2 days and has now joined allies with City Technical College to raise awareness and call for action to be taken. I was able to get in contact with the originator of the petition and schedule an interview with them. I’d like to learn more about their call to action in addition to collective statements from Baruch students and faculty members; gaining a full perspective of Baruch campus reactions to COVID-19.

Z.L* is an abbreviated name of the originator of the petition. The official name of the student will remain redacted until I receive consent to publish in my article.

https://dashawnbanks.exposure.co/xsclusivee?source=share-dashawnbanks

The millennial generation has pushed the envelope of self employed work and entrepreneurship. Though we understand the significance and potential of a degree in higher education, we allow our passions to transcend societies definition of  success. During my time at Baruch, I’ve met dynamic individuals that graduated but pursued aspirations that render their degrees useless. For my photo essay, I will be focusing on one particular friend, Fatima Daniels, a 22 year old Baruch Alumni who opened her own salon in Queens, NY. My goal is capture her story of navigating the hardships of being a business owner at such a young age and enlighten my audience of the success that can prevail when one chases their dreams.