On behalf of the class of 2023 students at the University of California, Santa Cruz, graduating students want to petition for a traditional commencement rather than slug crossing. Slug crossing is a form of graduation ceremony that financially benefits UCSC and removes the traditional commencement celebration of UCSC graduating students. Graduates are given 15 minutes to arrive at the Upper East field and wait in long lines with their families until they have to separate in order to walk across the stage for less than 15 seconds and only have up to six family members, with no one else around.  It is very impersonal and a waste of time and money for families traveling to celebrate their students from far away.

     This was all done with ZERO student input and disregarded how it would impact us as students. UCSC is taking away our right to celebrate a momentous achievement in higher education with our family, friends, and classmates. This achievement has come in many different forms of sacrifice, especially for transfers, first-generation, and underrepresented students. This achievement/ celebration is not just for students, but for our family/friends who supported us along this journey.

     As of February 28, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the end of the COVID-19 State of Emergency, thus allowing UCSC to have a traditional commencement. Other UCs already have traditional commencements and most classes and events at UCSC are already being held in person with no masks required. However, UCSC wants to do a slug-crossing for their own financial benefit and not for the benefit of the students who fund them financially. Help us sign this petition to get the media and UCSC involved in making our graduation proper.