FIU is hearing what we're saying!

Hi everyone! Hope you’re staying safe during these unprecedented times. The last thing I want to do is keep you in the dark about the steps being taken regarding the petition so I’m here with an update! This afternoon I had the chance to speak with Dania Pearson-Adams (Associate Vice President, Event Protocol & Community Relations at FIU) and we were able to have an honest and open conversation about possibilities regarding commencement. 
 
To be completely transparent, I’d never felt so heard before and I genuinely felt like my concerns and YOUR concerns were heard. Unfortunately, an open-aired stadium graduation will not be possible. To be clear FIU is making decisions that are in line with the directive of the Florida Board of Governors to find alternatives to in person commencement. That does not mean that FIU is not exploring other options to provide a day you will remember. Any ideas that were suggested in the comments of this petition and to my social media were pitched, and believe me, they were heard.
 
I know this may be disappointing to hear but that doesn’t mean we can’t look forward to what else the university has in store for us and the ideas that they are exploring. I genuinely believe that our phone call opened doors for more ideas and collaboration between the student body and the Office of Commencement. I am excited to continue collaborating with Dania, her team and FIU to make this day special. 
 
Remember that making this possible requires compromising on both ends and hearing each other out. I hope that you’ll be happy with the steps being taken, and the efforts being made.