Ithaca is finally seeing sunny days, and normally the warmer weather associated with the end of the spring semester translates into student festivities. like Kendall Day.

In an email sent to students on April 14, Rosanna Ferro, vice president of student affairs and campus life, reminded the Ithaca College community that mass gatherings are prohibited, according to the Ithaca College Community Agreement. Instead of participating in year-end gatherings like Kendall Day, the college encourages small gatherings with a student’s “Bomber Bubble” – or the small group that a student has interacted with throughout the semester.

Usually, the weekend before the finals, students gather on Kendall Avenue, of Pennsylvania Avenue, during large outdoor parties. Police patrol the streets to keep students under control but do not prevent the event from occurring. This year, the event would have grave May 8.

Some consequences of a COVID-19 outbreak linked to a mass rally could be the cancellation of an in-person or senior week start, a delayed move at the end of the semester, a potential to overwhelm the systems of health and student conduct violations. rising to the level of the suspension, Ferro said in the email.

A Intercom announcement Posted April 16 by Eileen Harrington Roth, Off-Campus Community Coordinator, calls for volunteers to patrol Pennsylvania Avenue and Kendall Avenue on May 8 in two-hour shifts. Volunteers should attend the training one week before the event. They are asked to engage with the students who appear to be heading towards the Kendall Day celebrations and inform them that the event is not taking place.

“We want students to continue, as much as possible, to have a normal senior experience while balancing the fact that we need to keep the numbers low in Tompkins County and not overwhelm our hospitals,” Roth said.

As of April 21, Tompkins County has 63 active COVID-19 cases. Active cases in the county are below 100 since April 7.

Students will be encouraged to return to their residence or apartment on campus. Volunteers will encourage participation in other activities on campus and in the region.

Roth said the college announces a Celebrate Smart off campus campaign Instagram page. One article recommends that students rent a bike from Ithaca Bike Rental, hike the local trails, or have a party dinner on Aurora Street.

Jocelyn Pawcio, who lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, said the restrictions kept the school and the community safe.

“Although, yes, we have people getting vaccinated, and already fully vaccinated, they still need to remain vigilant about all public health measures,” she said.

Off-campus students were invited to a 6 p.m. meeting on April 20 to discuss physical distance in an outdoor space and safe alternatives to a mass gathering. The meeting provided information on how to limit uninvited outside visitors to her residence and who to contact if unwanted visitors refuse to leave her residence.

Pawcio said she understands the public health perspective as a student liaison in a health emergency but can also see the perspective of the students.

“We’ve had so much to take away and it’s something to be social and to celebrate, but I think there’s a safe way to go about it as well,” Pawcio said.

Senior Jackson Gallati, who lives on Coddington Road, said this he doesn’t want senior start or week events canceled but that college could be a little more lenient. He said there is a safe way to celebrate Kendall’s Day, citing New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s allowance residential gatherings of up to 25 people and an increase in individuals vaccinated.

From April 19, every state has grown vaccine eligibility to anyone 16 years of age and over. From April 21th, 37% of people in Tompkins County have been fully immunized. This includes 75% of adults over 65 who have been fully vaccinated and 44% of those aged 18. and 65 who were fully vaccinated.

“The university, I think, should be a space where you can safely experiment,” said Gallati. “This is one of the biggest advantages of college, and I think colleges should welcome students who have these experiences.

Senior Dan Capodilupo, who lives on Kendall Avenue, says he’s frustrated through college restrictions.

“I just think it’s too much damage on their part, and I don’t think they’re allowed to tell us how to do anything that isn’t on school property, ”Capodilupo said. “I don’t pay for school to live in Kendall. I pay my landlord to live here, and my garden, at the moment, is my property, so they don’t have the right to tell me to do anything.

Roth said the college is keen to support students to help them successfully celebrate the end of the semester without posing a health risk.

“In the past, people just walked around and kind of joined the party,” she said. “It’s an honest conversation if you are planning on having your Bubble Bomber. How can we help you make sure that people don’t just show up in your garden and think that’s something they aren’t? “