JESSICA MEDITZ
Life & Arts Editor
[UPDATE 5:06 p.m., 3/16/2020: David Dobrik’s show has been cancelled.]
Based upon Fredonia’s current state of confusion surrounding the recent coronavirus outbreak, a lot of unanswered questions are circulating regarding several aspects of campus life.
One specifically poses the question about the status of David Dobrik’s long-awaited visit to campus.
His appearance was organized by Spectrum Fredonia and set to be on Friday, March 27 at 8 p.m. in King Concert Hall.
Tickets to the event sold out within one day; this raises concern among students in relation to part of Governor Cuomo’s recent density reduction plan for people to avoid large gatherings.
Due to the presence of COVID-19 in Erie County, Executive Mark Poloncarz has said to avoid gatherings over 50 people.
Specifically to Fredonia, President of the Student Association, Jillian Beard, said that clubs are allowed to continue to hold meetings as long as less than 50 people are in attendance.
Spectrum’s most recent social media post to Instagram, Twitter and Facebook acknowledges the concern.
“We’ve been receiving a lot of messages regarding the status of the David Dobrik show. We’ll make a post as soon as we have answers,” it says.
They also encouraged students to continue submitting questions for Dobrik that would be potentially answered at the show.
On the Instagram post, one comment from a Fredonia student read, “if the show gets cancelled, I want my money back. I don’t care.”
Other students are fans of Dobrik’s and are feeling pessimistic because his visit is now in jeopardy.
“I definitely feel let down,” said Paige Rzepka, a junior English adolescent education and psychology dual major. “I obviously understand the reason for it getting cancelled, but it’s just disappointing.”
When asked about how the situation will play out in the near future, those in charge of Fredonia Spectrum have decided not to comment on the matter.
Alisa Oppenheimer, a junior journalism major and member of Spectrum, said, “Basically, everything is still in the air and they [Spectrum’s executive board] still do not know what’s gonna happen.”
She also said that Spectrum’s advisor and the assistant director of Campus Life, Rachel Martin, does not want the club to share any details until after Monday, March 16.
SUNY’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic hinders the occurrence of other campus happenings, including Commencement, classes on campus, campus living and events for all clubs.
In terms of the David Dobrik situation however, it’s likely there will be answers via their social media — whether it be the show’s occurrence, cancellation, refunds or something else.
There will be updates to come soon.