COVID-19 Stole Spring Graduation

ANNIKA TOMLIN COLLEGE TIMES VOICES T he progression of COVID-19 across the world has led to colleges and universities canceling spring graduation ceremonies. Those include Northern Arizona University, University of Arizona, Grand Canyon University and the entire Maricopa County Community College District. Arizona State University has yet to cancel its ceremonies scheduled for mid-May. NAU is one of the universities that is considering having a virtual commencement ceremony for its 6,000 graduates. NAU President Rita Hartung Cheng invited spring graduates to return for a special ceremony in December. Details for both of the ceremonies are still in the planning stages.

All of the major Arizona universities have switched to online classes through the spring semester. The switch from in-person classes to online has been tough for NAU senior Ari Strick.

“It’s been a cold-turkey transition going from all my classes being in person to all of them being online,” Strick says. “I think for me it’s OK because I’m self-motivated even with senioritis.” CORONAVIRUS PUTS A DAMPER ON COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES COVID-19 STOLE SPRING GRADUATION

(PHOTO BY LAURA ROGERS) NAU senior Ari Strick will not walk this spring as commencement ceremonies were canceled in light of COVIT-19. Strick considers herself fortunate because she has the resources needed to access her online classes: a personal computer and Wi-Fi.

“I can get done what I need to get done and I don’t have to go to a public setting to do it or rent a computer from the library,” Strick says.

She has taken online classes previously but prefers the personal nature of in-person courses.

“We’re doing our classes through Zoom and through Blackboard Learn,” Strick says. “I will say the biggest downside I’ve noticed is it really hurts my eyes to stare at a screen all day.

“I also like that none of my teachers are doing synchronous classes, meaning we would have to logon at the same time as our in-person class to watch the online lecture. It’s already recorded.”

Strick was planning to graduate in May as an exercise science major before COVID-19 started to rapidly spread throughout the world.

“I have no idea how they’re going to go about a virtual commencement ceremony, but for those that really want that kind of ceremony I think that it’s the next best alternative,” Strick says.

This is not how Strick envisioned her last semester of senior year. She hoped to fi nish strong and enjoy her peers’ company.

“It’s put a damper on the academics in the classroom but also on spending senior year with friends because we are all supposed to be social distancing,” Stick says. “It’s defi nitely a change of pace.”

Strick feels like canceling graduation is an emotional and mental obstacle rather than academic. Strick hadn’t purchased her cap and gown and will hold off until plans are solidifi ed for a virtual and true graduation.

“Classes are happening, and people are still going to technically graduate, but the ceremonial part isn’t there which sucks,” Strick says. “Especially for those that walking at graduation really means a lot to them. It brings in family from who knows where and now that can’t happen either.” CT