Let the students walk—-with social distancing rules in effect!
C
Christopher Castillo
5 years ago
They deserve to have a traditional commencement ceremony. LET THEM WALK! LET THEM WALK!! LET THEM WALK!!!
A
Aili Toivanen
5 years ago
In person
K
Kevin Maxwell Garza
5 years ago
I am a Senior at Texas Lutheran University graduating this December. Although I'm not personally concerned with whether a graduation ceremony happens or not, I know that most of my friends who are graduating with me had been looking forward to walking the stage. I do not want this opportunity to be taken away from anyone who wants to celebrate this accomplishment, and I am speaking for them.
Given our very small graduating class, I feel that it's more than possible to host a graduation ceremony of some kind, especially considering how there are other, much larger Universities still holding ceremonies with safety measures. The fact that we are not at minimum hearing some of the internal reasoning beyond health concerns leaves a bad taste in my mouth. We are Seniors- with plenty of knowledge, skills, and expereince- and there could have been a committee including some of us or some sort of outreach from the staff that asked for our input. This was not done, and in the absence of that, I speak now.
I propose that the ceremony be hosted in smaller groups. Given our graduating class of around 98 (and multiple possible large venues,) I think that it's entirely possible to do this even if it has to span several days/times. Students can announce how many guests they expect to arrive and times/commencement days can be arranged accordingly.
Another option (likely in conjunction with the previous) would be to move to a larger venue. If it isn't possible to secure a large venue off the TLU campus that could support large crowds, the football/soccer field(s) seem like places large enough to support large crowds and maintain social distancing standards. It may not be traditional, but it at least has the potential to work.
Also, give us the option of whether to attend or not. This seems obvious, but it is important. There are likely to be some Seniors who opt out of the process, and this will lead to a decrease in the number of people attending, giving a more manageab
N
Nicholas Trumble
5 years ago
Let them walk
W
Wendy Schneider
5 years ago
My oldest daughter is a middle school teacher and I know far too well how hard it must be to make decisions for the entire University. I do not envy the role administrators have during this unprecedented time in our history. My heart goes out to them. That being said, universities such as TLU teach their students how to problem solve, how to think outside the box, and how to solve the problems our communities will face in the future. This graduation poses a problem that CAN BE SOLVED. There are so many ways TLU could offer a safe, responsible graduation in-person graduation ceremony for the graduates of 2020. Separate them by colleges, degree plans, alphabetically, outdoors (it IS Texas and will probably be mild weather in December), etc. Be part of the solution, TLU. Let’s show that this school is a university filled with problem solvers, deep thinkers, and solution-oriented graduates! These graduates deserve to take their rightful place, proudly walking the stage in front of their family, friends, and the professors that so greatly impacted these young adult’s lives. Please, we’re begging you, let them have the graduation they’ve EARNED! Let them walk!
D
Daryl Chester
5 years ago
Don't take this away from these great students who have earned this privilege.
T
Terry Dahl
5 years ago
Let the family be there
R
Rev Dr Brian K Gigee
5 years ago
TLU produces exceptional graduates who bolster the world. Please find a way for as normal a graduation as possible! Go Bulldogs ‘76G
Z
Zachary Gottleib
5 years ago
Zach Gottleib, DO '13. Graduating from TLU was one of the best ceremonies I have ever been able to participate in. While the 2020 Pandemic has been hard on us all there is a way to do this responsibly. I know that students want to celebrate their achievements in person but with the great minds at TLU there is a way to make this a viable produced option where students get the recognition they deserve. i.e. pre-filmed walks. A student only live streamed ceremony. TLU should investigate all of these ideas before opting to the easiest option.
D
Doris Engle
5 years ago
My friend Jillian EbanksWhom I have known her whole life has worked hard all these years and missed a lot of the fun of the senior year. I do not understand why she and peers cannot walk the stage to be honored for their academic successes.
P
Peggy Patterson
5 years ago
As a proud grandparent, I want to see my gal walk across the stage to get her well-earned diploma!
J
Jeff Schneider
5 years ago
There are 98 (or LESS) TLU student’s graduating in Dec 2020. My daughter is one of them. It’s ridiculous (and frankly UNACCEPTABLE) that 5-10 family members cannot sit together safely in a large auditorium to have an in-person graduation. An in-person graduation may make sense for much larger educational institutions with much larger graduation classes (even though I understand Texas A&M is doing in-person graduation by college). I believe in this existing environment, it is much easier to use COVID as an excuse NOT to do something. It appears this Is the case with TLU. In the past, I’ve felt TLU was a good, personable school with the students’ best interest in mind. I was confident that any of my money going to TLU was a good sound investment to the educational system. However, based on how this is handled, I will consider how highly I speak of TLU in the future, and make recommendations to friends and family as to whether or not to send their kids and money to TLU. In my mind, this is simple laziness on behalf of TLU.
S
Sherry Schneider
5 years ago
My daughter has worked very hard to achieve this goal. Let them walk the stage. This can be done safely. If the high schools in our area could hold graduations this year, so can the universities!
C
Colton West
5 years ago
Roll Tide
R
Ryan
5 years ago
Plz
S
Sarah Garza
5 years ago
As a graduate of TLU class of 2012, I would have been devastated if I couldn’t walk the stage and have my family there. Such a great accomplishment
J
Jesse Ramos
5 years ago
If a student wishes to participate they should be able to with limited guests, social distance, and masks. It can be done and shouldn’t be taken from another graduating class.
G
George Mandry
5 years ago
This is unfathomable - why can't reasonable measures be taken to allow the students who have put in the time, effort and money the privilege of walking the stage as a graduate?
College graduation needs to be in person.
Let the students walk—-with social distancing rules in effect!
They deserve to have a traditional commencement ceremony. LET THEM WALK! LET THEM WALK!! LET THEM WALK!!!
In person
I am a Senior at Texas Lutheran University graduating this December. Although I'm not personally concerned with whether a graduation ceremony happens or not, I know that most of my friends who are graduating with me had been looking forward to walking the stage. I do not want this opportunity to be taken away from anyone who wants to celebrate this accomplishment, and I am speaking for them. Given our very small graduating class, I feel that it's more than possible to host a graduation ceremony of some kind, especially considering how there are other, much larger Universities still holding ceremonies with safety measures. The fact that we are not at minimum hearing some of the internal reasoning beyond health concerns leaves a bad taste in my mouth. We are Seniors- with plenty of knowledge, skills, and expereince- and there could have been a committee including some of us or some sort of outreach from the staff that asked for our input. This was not done, and in the absence of that, I speak now. I propose that the ceremony be hosted in smaller groups. Given our graduating class of around 98 (and multiple possible large venues,) I think that it's entirely possible to do this even if it has to span several days/times. Students can announce how many guests they expect to arrive and times/commencement days can be arranged accordingly. Another option (likely in conjunction with the previous) would be to move to a larger venue. If it isn't possible to secure a large venue off the TLU campus that could support large crowds, the football/soccer field(s) seem like places large enough to support large crowds and maintain social distancing standards. It may not be traditional, but it at least has the potential to work. Also, give us the option of whether to attend or not. This seems obvious, but it is important. There are likely to be some Seniors who opt out of the process, and this will lead to a decrease in the number of people attending, giving a more manageab
Let them walk
My oldest daughter is a middle school teacher and I know far too well how hard it must be to make decisions for the entire University. I do not envy the role administrators have during this unprecedented time in our history. My heart goes out to them. That being said, universities such as TLU teach their students how to problem solve, how to think outside the box, and how to solve the problems our communities will face in the future. This graduation poses a problem that CAN BE SOLVED. There are so many ways TLU could offer a safe, responsible graduation in-person graduation ceremony for the graduates of 2020. Separate them by colleges, degree plans, alphabetically, outdoors (it IS Texas and will probably be mild weather in December), etc. Be part of the solution, TLU. Let’s show that this school is a university filled with problem solvers, deep thinkers, and solution-oriented graduates! These graduates deserve to take their rightful place, proudly walking the stage in front of their family, friends, and the professors that so greatly impacted these young adult’s lives. Please, we’re begging you, let them have the graduation they’ve EARNED! Let them walk!
Don't take this away from these great students who have earned this privilege.
Let the family be there
TLU produces exceptional graduates who bolster the world. Please find a way for as normal a graduation as possible! Go Bulldogs ‘76G
Zach Gottleib, DO '13. Graduating from TLU was one of the best ceremonies I have ever been able to participate in. While the 2020 Pandemic has been hard on us all there is a way to do this responsibly. I know that students want to celebrate their achievements in person but with the great minds at TLU there is a way to make this a viable produced option where students get the recognition they deserve. i.e. pre-filmed walks. A student only live streamed ceremony. TLU should investigate all of these ideas before opting to the easiest option.
My friend Jillian EbanksWhom I have known her whole life has worked hard all these years and missed a lot of the fun of the senior year. I do not understand why she and peers cannot walk the stage to be honored for their academic successes.
As a proud grandparent, I want to see my gal walk across the stage to get her well-earned diploma!
There are 98 (or LESS) TLU student’s graduating in Dec 2020. My daughter is one of them. It’s ridiculous (and frankly UNACCEPTABLE) that 5-10 family members cannot sit together safely in a large auditorium to have an in-person graduation. An in-person graduation may make sense for much larger educational institutions with much larger graduation classes (even though I understand Texas A&M is doing in-person graduation by college). I believe in this existing environment, it is much easier to use COVID as an excuse NOT to do something. It appears this Is the case with TLU. In the past, I’ve felt TLU was a good, personable school with the students’ best interest in mind. I was confident that any of my money going to TLU was a good sound investment to the educational system. However, based on how this is handled, I will consider how highly I speak of TLU in the future, and make recommendations to friends and family as to whether or not to send their kids and money to TLU. In my mind, this is simple laziness on behalf of TLU.
My daughter has worked very hard to achieve this goal. Let them walk the stage. This can be done safely. If the high schools in our area could hold graduations this year, so can the universities!
Roll Tide
Plz
As a graduate of TLU class of 2012, I would have been devastated if I couldn’t walk the stage and have my family there. Such a great accomplishment
If a student wishes to participate they should be able to with limited guests, social distance, and masks. It can be done and shouldn’t be taken from another graduating class.
This is unfathomable - why can't reasonable measures be taken to allow the students who have put in the time, effort and money the privilege of walking the stage as a graduate?