Due to the recent pandemic of COVID-19 which has recently impacted the world, Grand Canyon University’s graduation class of 2020 has had their graduation commencement ceremony postponed until the end of December. We at Grand Canyon University understand the severity of the COVID-19 virus, but are disappointed with the university’s decision to move the date to late December, while still allowing online students to have commencement in October. Given the circumstances, we understand that the decision to cancel graduation in April was necessary for the health and safety of all students and factuality at this time. However, what is not understandable is the fact that the university would not give us the same treatment and recognition as other graduates that have come before us. It is disheartening that the university chose to still give online students the recognition of their accomplishments that they deserve, while managing to undermine the same accomplishments of the traditional on ground students. With proper time and notice, it would be respectful of Grand Canyon University to honor the traditional on ground students with a postponed graduation commencement happening either late summer or early fall. This gives both students and their families time to prepare plans for attending the ceremony, like they would have had to do anyways with the set April commencement dates. Holding a ceremony “at the end of December” feels as though the university is making our graduation less important, since many people at this time choose to travel home for holidays or in some cases families around this time do not have the funds to come support their loved ones. To not have our traditional commencement ceremony held on a different weekend, it feels as if our accomplishments and years of hard work do not deserve to be noticed. For many, graduation is a huge and monumental time, not only for students, but the family and friends that have supported them along the way and should deserve to be celebrated in every way possible. Grand Canyon University is an amazing institution that has done so many great things for each and every one of their students, and we understand how difficult it is to make decisions in such uncertain times, but we just want them to acknowledge how this choice impacts every graduate. Whether you are a student directly affected, an individual within the student body, a family member of a GCU student, member of the GCU community or even just an individual who understands our point of view, we ask you to please consider signing this petition and supporting our cause. Thank you!