To Whom it May Concern,
 
As students at Western Michigan University, we are deeply disappointed in the fact that our University is not having an in-person graduation. We understand that these are extenuating circumstances, but extenuating circumstances call for extraordinary solutions. It is our goal to graduate with honor and recognition that we feel we deserve with staying safe as possible.
 
Many of us have been striving for our degree for four or more years. The idea of walking across the stage at graduation is a goal that all of us and the University hope for. As the pandemic has infiltrated our lives and compromised some of our goals, we continued our work with grit unlike anything before. Now, we ask WMU to recognize us as we feel we deserve. Below we have thought of solutions to the complicated problems in that have arose for graduation.
 
1.     There are many students graduating from WMU each semester.
 
For the first time, it is an option to spread graduation to not only one day, but to multiple days or multiple weeks. Instead of dividing it into three graduation times, it is possible to divide it into several more graduations over the span of a week or multiple weekends. They can be divided by college, major, graduate and undergraduate, and many more options.
 
2.     There is not enough space to safely keep everyone 6 ft or more apart.
 
WMU has a beautiful football field that allows for bleacher space on both sides of the field. The students can be seated 6 ft apart and walk across the field to receive their diploma. Guests can sit 6 ft apart or in assigned seats at the bleachers.  
 
3.     There are too many guests for students.
 
As most understand, these are extenuating circumstances. Limiting tickets to 1 or 2 per graduate is understandable. There can still be a live video of the graduation that family and friends can watch to support their graduate.
 
4.     It is difficult for the president to make so many speeches over the span of weeks.
 
The president can prerecord a video of him congratulating his graduates for each graduation. It is an option to have the deans of each college to make a small speech as well. Diplomas can be handed to the graduates as they walk with little or no contact from the president or whomever hands the diploma.
 
5.     Some students may not feel comfortable walking for graduation.

These students can be recognized as the school originally planned, with their picture being displayed and their name announced. They can choose to watch online.
 
6.     It is a lot of work to plan so many graduations on short notice.
 
Allow the students to help plan and figure out the logistics. There is an army of students talented at planning and problem solving. Many would be honored for the opportunity to help plan their graduation. Send out a sign up for each college or a general committee for all the graduations. Let us help make this happen.
 
 
For every situation the pandemic has brought The University, students have found unique solutions to continue to excel academically and personally. In bringing forth this petition, we are doing just that. We want to help Western Michigan University recognize its students while implementing unique solutions to these unique and unprecedented times. If there are still concerns about making an in-person graduation work, look at local high schools finding ways to have prom and graduations safely. Michigan State University is working on an in-person graduation. Many places across the state and country are working to make their citizens feel recognized in these trying times.
 
WE can work together for a safe solution for graduation because we are safe, we are smart, we are Broncos. Let us ride.
 
Sincerely,
 
The Students of Western Michigan University