The recent decision by the administration of the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz to shift the graduation ceremony from the traditional outdoor location at Old Main Quad to inside the Athletic and Wellness Center (AWC) has caused significant distress among students and their families. This last-minute change, announced less than a week before graduation, is not only inconvenient but also insensitive. Many students have family members traveling from all over the world specifically for this event, who were expecting an outdoor ceremony as per tradition. These are students that may have had their high school graduation cancelled due to the pandemic and are now reliving the same events because of 40-45% expected rain that day. Along with this there are other graduations that are scheduled through many other organizations, planning around the typical time of graduation that students cannot attend due to this unprecedented change.

The Old Main Quad has been a symbol of achievement and celebration for many graduating classes before us. It provides ample space for social distancing while allowing more attendees compared to AWC's limited capacity. Furthermore, according to weather forecasts, there are no adverse conditions expected that would necessitate moving indoors.

We understand that decisions must be made in consideration of safety and “weather” during these unprecedented times; however, we believe that with proper planning and precautions in place, an outdoor ceremony can be conducted safely.

We urge SUNY New Paltz administration to reconsider their decision and revert back to holding our graduation outside at Old Main Quad. This is not just about preserving tradition; it's about respecting students’ hard work over these years and honoring our achievements in a manner they’ve looked forward to since joining SUNY New Paltz.

Please sign this petition if you support reverting back the venue change for graduation.