Campus events shift due to COVID-19

By Katie Peters– Arts Editor

A slew of events and ceremonies have been postponed or canceled due to COVID-19 to practice social distancing and ensure the health of the Lasell community. However, there are still things to look forward to virtually during this pandemic, and in-person after it subsides. Student organizations, faculty and administrators have been working and making alterations to events such as Commencement, the Senior Collections fashion show, Relay for Life and more.

After input from 75 percent of seniors, 60 percent of the graduate class of 2020, and other members of the Lasell community, the Commencement ceremony for the class of 2020 has been postponed rather than held virtually. The news was announced via email from Henry Pugh on behalf of President Michael Alexander sent on April 3.

The date of the ceremony is yet to be determined, but there was an “overwhelming preference” to hold the ceremony in the fall or early winter, according to the email. If this is the case, it will likely be held off campus. “Should we need to postpone until the spring of next year, separate ceremonies for the classes of 2020 and 2021 will be held on different dates under a tent on Taylor Field,” wrote President Alexander.

The annual fashion shows, hosted by the School of Fashion, are an immensely important event for any fashion student attending Lasell. The Undergraduate Fashion Show has been canceled altogether, while other arrangements are being made for the Senior Collections Show. The options for this show would be to either hold a scaled-back version in de Witt, or have the show at a professional studio in Allston. Regardless, the show will be filmed and shared with the wider Lasell community.

Another beloved event that cannot happen in-person but instead, online, is Relay for Life. In partnership with the American Cancer Society (ACS), the Office of Student Activities and Orientation (OSAO) and Lasell University ACS On Campus have decided to hold the event over three days from April 22 to April 24, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Facebook and Instagram. Each day will focus on a different aspect of Relay for Life, such as celebrating survivors of cancer, remembering those who have lost their fight with cancer and fighting back against the disease.

For students who are missing the sense of community found during Campus Activity Board (CAB) events, there are still things to look forward to. On April 30 at 8 p.m., CAB will be hosting Virtual Bingo. To join, check CAB’s Instagram bio a half-hour before it starts for the link, username and password. They are also hosting Netflix parties and screening a different comedian each Wednesday night. See CAB’s Instagram (@lasellcab) for more information on how to join.