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.
