The Importance of an In-Person Graduation
College is by far one of the most difficult, yet rewarding, four years of a person’s life. The amount of time and energy that students spend on their coursework and extracurriculars is, in a sense, astronomical. However, all of this hard work is worth it in the end because of the coveted undergraduate degree that comes with it. All the hard work leads to a piece of paper that makes all the sleepless nights worth it. One of the important events that come with receiving a diploma is graduation. Walking on the stage to accept one’s college diploma is one of the most gratifying experiences one can have in their life. So, the main point of this article is to explain why having an in-person commencement ceremony in May for SUNY Poly’s class of 2022 is irrevocably necessary.
One of the main reasons that an in-person commencement ceremony in May is necessary is because the 2021 commencement ceremony was in person. This ceremony was in-person when COVID cases were surging. This commencement ceremony was a huge success. Additionally, some restrictions ensured the safety of the graduates, SUNY Poly employees, and guests. The fact that this ceremony was still held with these restrictions means that this year’s ceremony should follow suit. Regardless of how strict the restrictions are, it is crucial to have this ceremony be in person.
Another reason why an in-person commencement ceremony in May is necessary relates to residential students. There are a lot of residential students that don’t live near Utica. If the commencement ceremony was postponed to a later date, there may be some residential students that are unable to attend. This is not fair to them, as they could have attended if the ceremony had been held on its original date.
Yet another reason as to why an in-person commencement ceremony in May is necessary is because of all of the hard work that the soon-to-be graduates have put into their studies. If you have graduated from college, please take some time to look back on your undergraduate career. Do you remember all the hours that you put into what seemed like, at some times, a cornucopia’s worth of homework? Do you remember all the friends that you made along the way? Do you remember the connections you made with your professors? Now, take some time to think about your college graduation ceremony. Was spending all of that time on homework finally worth it? Were you able to enjoy the time with your friends and family? Did you take photos with your professors who taught you so much in such a short amount of time? Now, don’t you think that every single college graduate deserves that? Most people would probably agree that every college graduate deserves an in-person commencement ceremony. Now that COVID cases are substantially lower, it is evident that an in-person ceremony is on the horizon.
Hopefully, this article sheds some light on why an in-person commencement ceremony in May is necessary. If you are still on the fence about whether this ceremony should be in person, talk to some college students/graduates in your life. How many of them emphasized how beneficial an in-person commencement ceremony is? The number is probably significantly higher than you might think. To the SUNY Poly administration, I leave you with one final thought. Think about what your students want and what they deserve concerning their commencement ceremony.
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