A Request for Responsibility During Apple Blossom Festival

After a year’s break due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival is “Back in Bloom!”

While some things haven’t changed — pink and green bunting and decor abound throughout campus and the community — some things have. This year, many of the festival’s events have moved to the Frederick County Fairgrounds, located on U.S. 11 north of Winchester, where they’ll occur with plenty of ventilation and the COVID-19 prevention protocols necessary to keep attendees as safe as possible. A few events will occur within Winchester city limits, also with appropriate protocols. As this year’s festival theme states, we’re “Back in Bloom!” However, please remember, as we make concessions in the face of the continuing pandemic, this is a year without parades or a coronation of Queen Shenandoah. That’s OK, though — we just have more to look forward to for next year!

With festival events changing to create a great, safe experience for participants, we expect all members of our Shenandoah community to act accordingly. Regardless of your vaccination status, we expect you to maintain your commitment to the SU Pledge to Keep Shenandoah Safe, regardless of whether you’re celebrating on or off campus. We understand this is an exciting time, as it comes after a year of not being able to gather as so many of us would like.

We’ll offer plenty of on-campus festivities for our Shenandoah community during “The Bloom,” as it’s affectionately known, and we know you’ll also participate in events presented by the festival. But as you do so, we expect you to follow the rules of any event you’re attending, and remember to wear your mask, watch your distance and wash your hands (or sanitize them). If you’re fully vaccinated, you may be able to engage in some small-scale gatherings with other fully vaccinated people, following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Students, this is a time when you’ll make choices about alcohol, drugs and your behavior. Please remember to follow the SU Pledge, the university’s Code of Conduct, local and state laws and the good manners we learned as children. I want to reiterate how important it is for each of us to ensure the safety of our campus community and the community at large. This is not a time to do harm to yourself, someone else or your academic career. I hope you have a terrific weekend — but that you do so responsibly. 
I believe in the Shenandoah University community, and I believe you will make good decisions, take care of your friends, and be rested for class on Monday, May 3.

Although we hope everyone enjoys this celebration of spring as much as possible, we also hope that you do so responsibly and safely so that you can end the semester happily and healthily, and for those of you preparing to graduate, so you can participate fully in your in-person commencement ceremony the weekend of May 22.

We’ve risen to meet all the challenges of this year, maintaining in-person classes and keeping COVID-19 cases low. Let’s keep up the good work!

Sue O’Driscoll

Dean of Students