On behalf of the class of 2021 who would like the option of an in-person commencement, we are asking for your support and your voice.

Last month, Emerson College announced the 2021 commencement was to be virtual. This news was quite devastating and a bit premature considering that commencement is scheduled for May 9th. Recently, news came out that  Northeastern University plans to have their commencement at Fenway park in-person and Boston University plans to hold in-person commencement. As many of you know commencement is a very special and important tradition not only to signify such a huge milestone but also to celebrate the incredible accomplishment.

We wholeheartedly understand the concern to continue to keep the Emerson community and the greater Boston area safe in the midst of this pandemic. This past year, we have safely navigated in-person classes with the flex hybrid class model. With social distancing, testing, vaccinations, and masks an in-person ceremony is possible considering we have been using the same method both in the classrooms and in our own organizations.

We are well over a month out from graduation. There is plenty of time to plan an in-person ceremony for a later date. With the upcoming shift to Phase 4 in Massachusetts and continued success of vaccines, social distancing, and masks it feels disheartening to know that Emerson College never even considered an in-person option. After the year this class has had, it’s only right to not give up on two commencement ceremonies and to give the graduating class the opportunity to celebrate their achievements. Not to forget, this class had one of the highest numbers of international students Emerson has ever had, and our families have sacrificed a lot to get us here -- physically, emotionally, and mostly financially speaking. Every student has committed their time, talents, energy, and money over these four years to help continue to grow Emerson into what it is today, and at the end of the day, not mattering where we are in the world, we’ll carry the Emerson legacy for the rest of our lives.

I believe that Emerson college should reconsider and explore in-person graduation options for a future date. Here a few to consider: hold the ceremony in an outdoor venue, limit the number of guests per student, offer a student-only ceremony, offer departmental ceremonies, offer a flex hybrid commencement ceremony that offers in-person and virtual attendance to allow every graduate to attend at their comfortability level or offer the option of an in-person ceremony to be held at a later date.

There are thoughtful and safe in-person alternatives to the impersonal virtual ceremony currently proposed.

Please stand with the graduating class of 2021 who would appreciate an in-person covid precautious event and support our efforts.