By: Kanoa Ikeda-Flynn
With many school semesters coming to a close, a major uncertainty for graduating seniors would be the options for graduation amid the pandemic. With the hopeful return of some normalcy by this Summer, schools have opted to reschedule, wait for further developments, hold live-streaming ceremonies, and even resort to fully cancelling the Spring 2020 ceremonies for their graduating classes.
While subject to change, here are a few of the current plans set forth by a few schools around the country:
- UNLV – Ceremony is cancelled until further notice, official graduation will be on time.
- Washington State – Traditional ceremony rescheduled for August but a virtual ceremony scheduled for students who cannot return.
- Chicago State – Fully cancelled graduation. Spring 2020 graduates are able to participate in the Winter graduation ceremony.
- LIM College – Ceremony to be rescheduled sometime in the Fall.
- San Francisco Conservatory of Music – Online ceremony.
- Chapman University – Moved to an unknown date later in 2020.
- UNR – Students to provide their preferences on holding a Winter 2020 graduation or a Spring 2021 graduation alongside the class of 2021.
Dominican on the other hand, has announced a full reschedule of multiple graduation ceremonies by the end of the Summer.
Dominican ‘s President Donna Carroll released a rescheduled commencement ceremonies to be held on Labor Day weekend September 5-7. While there is a definitive date, many answers remain unknown as the progress of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold.
One pressing question is that there has been no word on a possibility of an online graduation to accommodate Seniors who may not be able to make the September commencement. According to Dominican’s graduation FAQ’s page, more details are to be discussed in the coming months.
Graduating senior Lia Mckinney believes the reschedule is the best alternative but also expressed some concerns for students that cannot attend.
“It gives students a chance to celebrate 4 years of hard work and new beginnings. However, I think having it any other time than the end of the school year can be problematic for out-of-state students and even people who have to work. At the end of the day it’s no one’s fault, but making it easier for people who are affected seems like the right thing to do.”
Even though the possibility is grim, President Carroll’s statement had confirmed a recognition video alongside obtaining the actual degrees in May.
“While COVID-19 has delayed our celebration, please know that it will not defer the actual conferring of your degree — or our pride in your accomplishments. Assuming that you have completed all of your academic requirements, you will still officially receive your academic credential, for resume, graduate school and employment purposes, in May 2020. There is a video in the works to recognize the moment.”
While this news comes at a critical time, many are hoping that the precautions taken will be sufficient enough so that Dominican alongside many other schools can honor and provide the closure to the class of 2020.
