Happy New Year, all—phew, it’s about time.
Because doesn’t 2020 deserve to end in rhyme?

It’s been hard to focus, pay attention, stay on tasks.
Was there really a time when we didn’t need masks?

We started the year full of hopes, dreams, ambitions
But put them on hold due to COVID transmissions.

Thank you to the frontline workers. This virus is brutal.
At times all our efforts felt hopeless and futile.

Traffic disappeared, our commutes simply vanished.
Offices closed, to home we were banished.

Commencement couldn’t happen—but it wasn’t all gloom.
With red gowns worn at home and shown off on Zoom.

Students got a choice: study remotely from home
Or in person, or from Florida, Dorchester, or Rome.

A new acronym was born, it was called LfA.
Some Zoomed into classes from far, far away. 

Faculty adjusted, learning new tech on the fly.
Teaching is hard when you can’t look students in the eye.

It was a nerve-wracking time, in classrooms and out.
But the semester continued, even amidst some doubt.

Instructions were clear: please keep a small bubble.
Violate that trust and expect some big trouble.

Testing was a thing. It involved a nose swab.
Who knew in 2020 that would be a new job?

Every day we submitted a solemn attestation.
That our household didn’t have a viral infestation.

There was news besides COVID, so this was quite the year.
Even as there were protocols and we had to adhere.

Antiracism and first-gens were both front and center.
Diversity and inclusion too, as were allies and mentors.

This year marked 100 for the venerable BU Bands
And 50 for the Freep, so let’s give journalism a hand!

The Howard Thurman Center got a new space.
And F*ck It Won’t Cut It students were urged to embrace.

There were huge leaps ahead for basketball at BU.
A title for the men! For the women nearly, too.

More important than winning were the grades athletes got.
A record 3.56 GPA. Now that’s taking your shot.

A new building soon for computing, data science, and math.
All part of a strategic plan outlining BU’s next decade path.

The West was ablaze with deadly wildfires.
A climate change effect—a world growing warmer and drier.

With the presidency at stake, it was crucial that we vote.
At least it was easier, in a time of working remote.

When Trump’s term came up for reelection.
The voters spoke loudly, and voted—ejection!

A new team is coming, named Harris and Biden.
For a record 80 million voters, a win to take pride in.

As Thanksgiving neared, people cursed, “Damn COVID-19.
Because of the virus, our turkey’s in quarantine!”

There were a few gatherings, but no widespread outbreaks,
BU stayed strong, with hybrid learning till the snowflakes.

Lab staff performed half a million COVID tests.
Kudos to those workers: you really are the best.

Though covering our faces made us a bit grouchy,
We should all raise a glass to Anthony Fauci.

As the year wound down, hope arose with a vaccine.
But it’s not time to relax. Not by any means.

As we look for a fresh start with the New Year,
Here’s hoping we can kick things into high gear.

That we can soon return to movies, theaters, and bars,
And safely resume riding on MBTA cars.

Unforgettable it all was, for reasons aplenty,
But we have no problem saying, “Good riddance, 2020!”

Here’s to a tomorrow that’s minus the sadness,
And brimming instead with joy and with gladness.

To seeing Terriers on campus, clad in white and red.
Bring on 2021! It’s time to look ahead.