Dear Seniors,
In our letter to the broader Siena community just now, you learned of the College’s very difficult decision to extend distance learning for the remainder of the semester, which will unfortunately affect both Senior Week and Commencement.
This isn’t the way your senior year was supposed to conclude. It’s not how you wanted to remember your final weeks as a Siena undergraduate, and it’s certainly not how any of us wanted to celebrate your numerous achievements. This isn’t the way it was supposed to be.
We are all grieving the loss of the celebratory end of your senior year. Grief vacillates among denial, anger and blame and, hopefully eventually acceptance and peace. I imagine many of you are experiencing these emotions. I won’t pretend to understand exactly how you feel, but please know that faculty and staff at Siena care deeply for you and share in the loss.
May should be your time. For reasons we cannot control, it will be unlike the May you had envisioned from the day you arrived on campus. But in these trying moments, as Saints, I urge you to cling to three inalienable truths:
We do what’s right, not what’s easy.
The patience, resilience and acceptance being asked of you at this time is unfair, and also unprecedented. This is not easy. But in light of the pandemic’s impact on New York, and for the well-being of our community, it is the right thing to do. The way you choose to handle it will be a true reflection of your spirit, empathy and understanding.
We never leave a Saint behind.
In these times of isolation, the strength of our community has never meant more. Talk to us. Ask us questions. Reach out to your academic advisor, your favorite professor, your counselors, and most importantly, your friends. We want to hear your thoughts, your ideas and how you’re doing. We’re here to lift each other up.
We always celebrate each other.
When normalcy returns to our society, you, seniors, will be celebrated. We won’t let you leave Siena without having your moment, one that’s worthy of the mark you’ve left. And once we’ve had our celebration, remember, this will always be your home. The final weeks of senior year are particularly important, I know. But you are all Saints for life.
Academic Affairs and Student Life will work closely with many of you – including the 2020 Class Council and Senior Week Committee – to begin planning for commencement tentatively rescheduled for Saturday, August 15, as well as its corresponding events. In the meantime, finish strong and proud. Degrees will still be conferred – though not in person – on Sunday, May 17 if you have completed all requirements to graduate. You will be able to tell employers and graduate schools you have obtained your bachelor’s degree as of that date. A transcript verifying your accomplishment will be available shortly thereafter. Diplomas will be mailed to your home address during the summer.
The Class of 2020 will have a special place in all of our hearts forever and we look forward to celebrating with you later in the summer.
Sincerely,
Margaret E. Madden, Ph.D.
Interim President