Students Launched Petition for Cancellation of Commencement to Deserve their Rights
DePaul's student launched a petition to reserve their rights of attending an in-person commencement.
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic hitting across the country, many universities have either cancelled or rescheduled their spring commencement, some even switched to an online commencement. Cancellation of graduation ceremonies has reached more than 60 universities in Illinois. Most students affected by this change claim that a traditional commencement is what they deserve for their hard work.
DePaul University Moved In-Person Commencent Online
DePaul University cancelled its in-person commencement originally planned on June 13 and 14, and turned it into a virtual/online commencement. DePaul University president A. Gabriel Esteban announced the change in an email on March 27.
Many students are not satisfied with the adjustment, arguing that the commencement should be postponed to a future date this year instead of merely switching it virtually. Fefe Jaber, a DePaul student studying political science and economics, launched an online petition to postpone the commencement to be in-person, not virtual. Already, more than 7,800 individuals have signed the petition toward the goal of 10,000 signatures
“Students have worked incredibly hard to get to this point. DePaul’s 2020 class is made up of many first-generation college students who have waited so long to finally cross the stage,” said Jaber.
Jaber also emphasized that parents have sacrificed a lot to provide an education for their children. She thought it is truly unfair and unacceptable for students to not receive the celebration they deserve.
Other students who are planning to graduate at the same time hold similar opinions.
“I didn’t work hard for four years to hear my name called from a computer screen. It may seem small to some, but for others it means a lot,” said Abby Erb, a senior studying screenwriting at DePaul.
UIUC Cancelled the Spring Commencement
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign cancelled its in-person graduation ceremony and has not finalized an alternative yet.
Perla Magna shares a post regarding the petition to seek for rescheduling their commencement.
According to an open letter addressed to students, parents, faculty, staff and friends within the University of Illinois System, diplomas will be mailed and “alternatives such as rescheduling and/or hosting virtual events to honor the Class of 2020” are being explored.
According to a tweet posted on March 18, UIUC has been made aware of the concerns of the graduating class of 2020 and is working toward finding a potential solution.
Perla Magna is a first generation student from Chicago studying integrative biology. She explained how this cancellation has impacted not just her, but moreover impacted her family. She was looking forward to speaking at the Latinx ceremony in both English and Spanish. The Latinx graduation ceremony was created to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments, successes, and achievements of all the Latinx graduates.
“We students have worked too hard and sacrificed a lot. We want you to only postpone to a date later,” Magna commented.
Magna has participated in a petition that is trying to raise awareness of the impacts cancelling commencement has on other students at the university, and they are demanding to get the graduation rescheduled. A petition started by Daniele Klebern and has received more than 10,000 signatures.
“I think it’s very unfair to say the least. It doesn't hit anyone harder than the first generation students. I’d be the first to graduate and my grandparents were flying in from out of the country to be here for that weekend. All of us worked hard for that day to be cancelled” Magna said.