Although Transfer Day is normally a large event at Bakersfield College, the devastating terrorist attacks on America on the same day greatly affected the turnout. Those at the event were more concerned with world events than anything else.
“Indeed many students were home with their families,” said Vivian Mason, transfer student services coordinator at BC.
“The campus was very empty,” she said. “That’s pretty obvious by the very empty parking lots here today. Most likely, students wanted to be with their families on such a tragic day, and rightfully so.”
Transfer Day is a day designed to assist students to prepare their future by bringing four-year institutions on campus.
Mason estimated that about 350 students attended this year’s Transfer Day, which is somewhat below the usual attendance.
Mike Gutierrez, a Bakersfield College counselor, also noticed the poor turnout.
“There were a lot of students not on campus today,” he said on Sept. 11. “The attendance at this is always big. Obviously, what’s going on in the rest of the world today makes this a tiny, tiny concern,” he said.