OPINION- Challenge Declined: AU’s graduation plan is a sorry excuse for one of life's biggest moments
By: Michael Karlis
This is an opinion piece that does not necessarily reflect the views of The Rival American
After $200k of tuition, over a quarter of which was spent on Zoom classes that at times were less informative than crash course videos you can watch for free on Youtube, AU has decided to host a “COVID safe” in-person graduation at Bender Arena. No guests are allowed, no one will be throwing their cap in the air with their colleagues, and it will be exceptionally disappointing.
I wouldn’t be as disappointed with the school administration if there were no other options and if every other college in America was doing the same thing- but that isn’t the case. Last week, Georgetown announced that they would be hosting an in-person graduation ceremony at Nationals Park and allowing students to bring three guests. The University of Maryland also has plans for in-person graduation at the Terps home stadium, where they too are allowed to bring guests. Perhaps most shocking was Catholic University’s ability to book FedEx field for a graduation ceremony, again permitting students to bring four guests.
There’s a running joke that AU is the third “best” school in DC, but it’s quickly becoming the punch line for college students in the Mid-Atlantic region, and it’s due to the laziness and ineptitude of the administration. We gave you our money, are graduating into the worst job market in a generation, and pretended to learn virtually when in reality we turned our cameras off and scrolled through Tik Tok. In return, we get a 15-minute slot at a dated sports Arena that most students will be entering for the first time, and a virtual commencement speaker. AU’s graduation plans aren’t just a sorry excuse, but it’s hypocritical.
If AU’s administration is worried about graduation being a super spreader event, why did they allow freshmen to live on campus with roommates starting in March? Not only did they allow students to return, but COVID-related policies in place aren’t enforced. What about the packs of 15 or 20 people touring campus- are they vaccinated and following CDC guidelines, or is it just about securing tuition revenue?
Realistically, the school didn’t even have to rent out an elaborate venue if money was a concern, which it always is due to our inability to produce a respectable endowment. We could have had a graduation ceremony on our multi-acre quad. Chairs could’ve been spaced six feet apart, a stage set up, and everyone could’ve enjoyed the beautiful DC spring weather.
In a country where half the population has received one vaccine dose, in a city where new cases have steadily declined to a seven day average of 82, I think it's fair to say that AU’s graduation decision had nothing to do with the pandemic or politics, but rather they didn’t want to put in the effort.
The administration thought about their options, looked at the challenges, and decided not to accept them. So much for their new branding strategy.