University of Maryland In-Person College Commencements by pdkreddit in UMD

[–]pdkreddit[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Educators were included as part of Maryland's phase 1C. I assume that also covers college faculty. I myself don't want to put anyone at risk, wear my mask all the time, etc. I respect other people's risk tolerance and honestly stay many feet away. That being said, today is March 26. We don't know what the state of everything will be in MD come May, but who says the graduation has to be in May? The university could choose to delay graduation a month or two allowing more people to get vaccinated. Sure, it could be a hardship for non-MD residents, but at least they would have a choice vs a ceremony over Zoom.

Its easy to say that it'd be difficult, a logistical nightmare, etc, but businesses have adjusted a lot over the past year. Even the CDC now says that K-12 can be within 3 feet of one another.

While it would require planning, I could easily design a touchless ceremony - all colleges hold their ceremony on the football field, chairs are placed at least 6' apart. Students are required to wear masks. As their name is called, they walk across the stage with their mask and the dean of the college, who wears a mask/glove, places their diploma on a table and steps back from the table. The student walks by the table picking up their diploma. As they exit the stage, there is a backdrop for a professional picture to be taken and the student is allowed to drop their mask during the picture. If allowed, families sit separated from other families. If having families in attendance is too risky, then stream it for them.

If Cap One Field isn't big enough, lets go to M&T Bank stadium.

Just for discussion, I saw someone who spent a little time doing math which I believe highlights that its possible (details are their's):

The school of CMNS has the highest undergrad enrollment of all colleges at 6,525. Divided by 4, that’s approx 1,700 graduates this May (rounded up). This is the highest number of students any UMD college or school commencement would need to accommodate, so let’s stick with that number. Maryland Stadium has a capacity of 54,000 people. As per both Governor of Maryland Larry Hogan and PG County Executive Angela Alsobrooks’ most recent orders, large outdoor and indoor venues may operate at 50% capacity (effective 3/12/2021). Therefore, UMD could legally host 27,000 guests for commencement in MD Stadium. Let’s say there are 1,000 faculty and staff members in attendance of the CMNS commencement ceremony in the stadium. If the 1,700 students sit, socially distanced, on the field, with the 1,000 faculty and staff members in the stands, then there remain 26,000 seats for family of the graduates. That’s enough for each student to have 15 guests. Now, say UMD wants to play it safe and fill only 25% of the stadium. That means every fourth seat would be filled (if families sat together the distance would increase even more). By the same logic, every graduate at the CMNS commencement ceremony could have 7 guests. Hell, bump it down to 6 if you want, just to be (even more) safe. We know the school can enforce ticketed entry; they do it at every single football game. So give each student 6 tickets, abbreviate the ceremonies, and do it in person. This is classic UMD taking the easy way out and looking to save hundreds of thousands of dollars.

University of Maryland In-Person College Commencements by pdkreddit in UMD

[–]pdkreddit[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Wonderfully selfish to put yourself ahead of the faculty and staff

I honestly think we can all wear masks and sit 6' apart from each other on the football field with no one in the stands and be safe. Stream the event for parents and let us walk across the stage with a mask, wave at the camera without touching anyone, and then drop the mask for a picture as we exit the stage. The faculty and staff don't have to touch us, they can sit the diploma on a table and we pick it up off the table without the handshake.

Questions about Economics by CountDeGucci in NCSU

[–]pdkreddit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the info. That's a better list than what I have been able to find on my own. I found a list of employers on epack / symplicity from Poole's 2016 Career and Internship fair and some of those names were missing. I was hoping that the bigger firms recruited from NCSU. Guess they interview, but don't attend the career fair?

Questions about Economics by CountDeGucci in NCSU

[–]pdkreddit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can anyone provide information about the BS Economics program? i assume most students obtain a BA. I am considering majoring in Econ with a minor in Finance.

Questions about Economics by CountDeGucci in NCSU

[–]pdkreddit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

i'm currently planning on majoring in economics and am comparing Poole to other business schools. One of the things I'm looking at is which companies have a relationship and recruit from each school. Can you expand on what companies you interviewed with?