Jaclyn Adelson, a fourth-year global and international studies student at Carleton University, was planning to walk across the stage, graduate and then travel the world for a year, but coronavirus forced her to change her plans.
“Obviously that is not happening anymore,” said Adelson.
Carleton students, including Adelson, are currently coming to terms with convocation being postponed in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
“I did not realize how important it was to me until it was taken away.” — Jaclyn Adelson, fourth-year Carleton student
“It’s the symbolism of it. All of this work that myself and the entire graduating class has put into school in the last four or five years … having that taken away is so hard.”
Other students are also voicing their disappointment.
“It’s honestly pretty heartbreaking because you want to be sad for yourself because it really does suck, but you also know it’s for the greater good,” said Ashlin Rowlinson, a fourth-year French student.
After a broad consultation Carleton will postpone or cancel all in person events until June 30, 2020.
We especially regret that our June Convocation will have to be postponed to a later time.https://t.co/s0orEAfiRU— Carleton University (@Carleton_U) March 27, 2020
“It sucks, but with everything going on it makes sense,” said Clare Rayment, a fourth-year journalism student.
“I’m kind of like a jaded graduate,” said Jessica Mundie, also a fourth-year journalism student.
“After all these years, I just want to walk across that stage and get my degree and be done.” — Jessica Mundie, fourth-year Carleton student
With plans to pursue a masters program at NYU or Columbia University in the fall, Mundie is especially upset.
“If they postpone it to later in the year and I do end up going to New York, I don’t know if I’ll be able to come back [for convocation],” said Mundie.
Rayment said she found it funny everyone is upset about the postponement of convocation.
“It’s this super long ceremony that you have to sit through and it’s so frustrating,” said Rayment.
“But as soon as you’re not able to have that it’s kind of like, ‘I just really wanted to have that moment with my friends and wear my cap and gown and say we made it through all of this.’” — Clare Rayment, fourth-year Carleton student
One of the biggest reasons students are distressed is because they won’t have any closure.
“I’ve been seeing all the people that I started university with in first year… I’m seeing them all post on social media ‘Going home! Thanks Ottawa,’” said Mundie.
“They have no reason to come back now and it’s all these people I’ve known for so long,” she added. “I’ll never see these people again and won’t be able to say goodbye.”
“The opportunity to thank my professors, that was something I was so looking forward to doing and now I can’t do that,” said Adelson.
While upset, students also said they understand postponing convocation was necessary.
“It was definitely the right call,” said Rowlinson. “It’s such a huge crowd and my grandparents were coming.”
“There’s a lot of elderly people who would be attending, so they’d definitely be at risk. And you never know which one of your peers would be at risk.” — Ashlin Rowlinson, fourth-year Carleton student
While students are understanding, Adelson says she’s noticed people are still in mourning.
“The general attitude of everyone is just very sad. It’s just very unsatisfying,” said Adelson.
“You enter university with this idea that you are going to have that moment when your achievements and accomplishments are going to be recognized.”
“It freaking sucks man,” she continued.
“There is no convenient time for a pandemic.” — Jaclyn Adelson, fourth-year Carleton student
Despite not being able to wear her cap and gown, on top of struggling to finish her classes, not being able to travel, and being uncertain about her future career, Adelson takes solace in knowing she’s not alone.
“Class of 2020 … We’re all in this one together.”
Featured image from file.
