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Introduction

To Whom It May Concern,
The graduating class of May 2021 has faced many challenges. At the forefront of those challenges was facing completing our journey to becoming nurses during a pandemic outbreak. Due to our current circumstances, coming together in large groups has been limited because of potential exposure to COVID-19. It has taken our student's time, effort, and perseverance to get to graduation. The culmination of our actions and celebration of what we have accomplished is celebrated during our pinning ceremony. We propose to offer an environmentally safe pinning ceremony well deserved by the Eastview Campus cohort.

Proposal

Due to concerns from last semester's pinning ceremony, it has been decided that this semester's pinning ceremony should be held online. Although we understand that all precautions need to be taken, our cohort should not be held responsible for past semesters' actions. Therefore we propose that a socially distanced and shortened in-person pinning ceremony take place. Students will be allowed to participate online or in person. We will have live streaming via GoogleMeets for those who want to participate online. Masks are to be worn at all times, and seating will be spaced at 6x6 feet apart from each other. There will be one faculty speaker and one student speaker to limit our time in an enclosed environment. The "Thank you's" and photos submitted by our students will be streamed on a screen via PowerPoint during the ceremony, again to limit our time. After one faculty and one student speaker have finished their speeches, students will be asked to rise and pin themselves. Our ceremony will be completed after pinning and should take 30 minutes or less to accomplish, and a live stream will be available for family and friends to watch.

Conclusion

Please understand that we present this proposal respectfully. We know that the Austin Community College faculty and staff are trying to keep our student body as safe as possible. We also understand that the previous semester didn't adhere to their standards, but our cohort does not want to be punished for their actions. Our students have worked just as hard as the Fall graduating semester did, and we would like the opportunity to celebrate our achievements as they were able to. COVID in Austin was at Stage 5 when the previous semester graduated, and as we are now at Stage 2, we believe that our proposal is more than reasonable. We appreciate being able to voice our views and opinions about this topic and hope our proposal is considered.