Tensions flare as student events are wiped out

Graphic Art by: Ngoc Tieu My Ta

On Wednesday morning, the ASU community received word that student organizations and Greek life events for the remainder of the semester would be postponed or canceled. 

Vice President of Student Life and Enrollment Management Dr. Javier Flores made the decision on Tuesday afternoon and notified the appropriate departments. 

The cancellations affect nearly every event that falls under the student life umbrella, including meetings, formals, banquets, socials, mixers, fundraisers and any future events that haven’t been formally scheduled. 

Although many events have been canceled, some formally recognized university events haven’t been affected by this announcement. 

Graduation, Senior Visit Day and daily tours are still expected to occur in the coming weeks. It is important to note that these events are only provisionally approved and are still being reviewed. However, other similarly prestigious events were already cut out, including the Ring Ceremony and the College of Nursing’s Pinning Ceremony. Destination ASU, a recruiting event, is being postponed until COVID numbers will allow it to be held safely.

“For someone who is back in school after 15 years, it’s upsetting that recruiting events for people who don’t even go to ASU are allowed to occur, but my ring ceremony is canceled,” ASU student Ann Flores said. 

A senior at ASU, who preferred to remain anonymous also expressed concerns about the recruitment events still being allowed to take place. 

“It’s like putting on a facade… they’re pretending everything is fine, but shutting down current students’ lives,” the anonymous ASU senior said. 

With similar sentiments, an ASU student involved in Greek life explained that she felt discontent about the administration canceling Greek Thanksgiving, but allowing the Veterans Vigil to occur. 

According to the student, the event even included off-campus guests at something that could easily have been held online. 

“I love the veterans and it’s nothing against them, but they did not have to do [the event] in person,” a sorority member who preferred to remain anonymous said. “They’re pushing so many things aside right now.” 

Dr. Flores responded to Ram Page staff when asked about the cancellation of events on campus. He apologized for the upsetting announcement and noted a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases within the San Angelo and ASU communities as the reason behind the decision.

“Limiting events to a virtual setting or postponing to the spring semester is an effort to keep the Ram Fam safe,” Dr. Flores said. “We have five days left of instruction and four days of final exams…nine days to the finish line.  The Ram Fam culture is one to rise and overcome any challenge.  Decisions made this week were not intended to be punitive but intended to be precautionary.”

On the subject of the recruiting and admissions events not being subject to the same standards of safety, Dr. Flores explained that every event is being reviewed on a daily basis. Decisions are also being made based on the date of the event.

When reached out for additional information, the Student Government Association did not provide a comment by the deadline of this story.

Communications & Marketing have not generated a press release on this subject at the time of this article’s publication.

At the time of publishing, information on the status of events mentioned is still under review.

The opinions and statements expressed by individuals interviewed do not reflect the opinions of The Ram Page, The Ram Page Editorial Staff, or the author of this article.