With the end of the academic year approaching, Ithaca College is encouraging its students to take pandemic precautions as well as be good neighbors by avoiding hosting or participating in large gatherings in the South Hill neighborhoods near campus. The college is instead offering alternative opportunities to celebrate safely.
In a message sent to students, Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Life Rosanna Ferro asked them to stick to the practices that have allowed the college to navigate the past semester and year so successfully.
“End-of-semester activities and celebrations are an important part of the college experience; however, we must continue to conduct ourselves with caution and care in the weeks ahead,” said Ferro. “Your responsible actions and health-conscious behaviors will be critically important in our efforts to maintain a healthy campus, ensure no disruptions to final exams and travel plans for summer recess, and to host a fully in-person Commencement with guests for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic!”
Ferro highlighted the numerous on-campus opportunities that students will have to celebrate safely:
- Spring Fling Food Show – Wednesday, May 4, 3-5 p.m., Academic Quad
Sponsored by Ithaca College Dining Services and its primary food and beverage vendors Performance Food Group and Pepsi, this free event will feature food and drink samples from nearly 20 different companies. - IC Kicks Back – Friday, May 6, 3-7 p.m., Campus Center Quad
This annual event is open to all students free of charge and includes barbeque favorites, carnival games, inflatables, sweet treats, and a lineup of live music entertainment. - Annual IC Community Brunch – Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Campus Center Dining Hall
Open to all students free of charge, whether or not they have an existing IC meal plan, featuring a special brunch menu. - “Celebrating Smart” Initiative
Students are encouraged to share their pledge to celebrate responsibly by sharing “Celebrating Smart” posts on the @ic_offcampus and @ithacasacl Instagram accounts and tagging their friends, to be entered into a raffle to receive a $50 Amazon gift card.
The college hosted a virtual meeting to provide students living off campus in the South Hill area with resources on how to be a responsible community neighbor, and Ferro urged students who are planning to host or attend celebrations to be conscious of how their actions can affect others.
“Please pay special attention to abide by all laws, local noise ordinances, and take responsibility in respecting the people and property in our shared Ithaca community,” said Ferro. “I encourage our students, whether celebrating on campus or off campus, to take an active role in supporting each other by acting as prosocial bystanders, making positive interventions in situations that have potential for danger or harm.”