With COVID-19 quickly spreading across the world, Sonoma State University (SSU) is doing its part to flatten the exponential curve of the virus. Since Tues. March 10, nearly all events at SSU have been cancelled in accordance with the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) orders to put a hold on events exceeding the amount of 150 people. Since then, the CDC has urged that less than 10 people should attend an event.
Consequently, events that have taken vast amounts of preparation have been either cancelled or postponed. In fact, the Seawolf Living event page has been entirely shut down leaving students to glare at an HTTP 404, page not found. With face to face classes at first canceled up until March 23, then until April 19, and then for the rest of the spring semester, students are left wondering when SSU will return to the lively campus it once was, along with what official adjustments will be made to the SSU calendar.
“At this point I’m not even sure if we are going to have a graduation ceremony,” said fourth year psychology student, Stephanie Swanson.
The California State University (CSU) system has postponed all spring graduation ceremonies. According to an email sent out to all Seawolves, graduating students will still receive their diplomas in the mail this May, but the ceremony is currently postponed to an undetermined date.
The new date for spring commencement will remain undetermined until the situation surrounding COVID-19 becomes more stable, explained Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications, Paul Gullixson.
“The university is looking at a number of possible alternative dates, but much of it is up in the air because we are unsure how long the Coronavirus situation is going to play out. Obviously, we are hoping to reschedule before the end of 2020,” said Gullixson.
For students who are on the fence about proceeding to rent a cap and gown, they are still urged to do so as it states on the Students Q&A for the COVID-19 Situation that:
“SSU partners with Herff Jones to provide your academic regalia and other graduation mementos. The company encourages you to honor this milestone by taking full use of the gown: Take your pictures, share on social media and celebrate with loved ones. If you choose to do this, Herff Jones thanks you for your order and is honored to be a small part of your celebration. If not, leave the gown in the bag unused and send it back for a refund.”
The graduating class of 2020 and students of the like have had to make a great deal of sacrifices, but SSU is doing everything they can to accommodate. Students living on campus are being urged to move out if they have a safe home to go back to. According to an email sent out Sun. March 22, if students move out by Tues. March 31, they will receive a housing, parking, and meal plan refund. As for students living off campus, they are urged to request a parking pass refund in order to reduce the amount of visits to campus. According to an email sent out on Thurs. March 18,
“The amount for refunds of General Permits is $47.00, Reserved Permits is $111.00 and Motorcycle is $11.00.”
SSU is evidently doing everything in it’s power to stop the exponential spread of COVID-19, while keeping students’ best interest in mind. For students, faculty and staff with any questions, there are many resources recently posted online with vast information.
