The University of Oregon has recently announced that it will no longer hold individual departmental ceremonies for the College of Arts and Sciences in Spring 2023. This means that 54 majors will be lumped together, rather than being separated into smaller departmental ceremonies in years past. This abrupt change came with no warning, leaving most if not all CAS students disappointed and disheartened. 

Graduation is a significant milestone in each student’s journey which allows us to celebrate with our classmates, peers, and loved ones. By canceling departmental graduation ceremonies, UO is robbing these students of a celebration that has been worked hard to achieve. As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented numerous challenges to universities across the globe. We are grateful to be in a time where we can celebrate in large gatherings again, but canceling these ceremonies without offering any alternative options is a disappointment for graduating students, families, and all those looking forward to celebrating. 

These departmental ceremonies create an intimate setting allowing students to sit by the same peers they’ve been in classes with for the past few years while being acknowledged for specific academic achievements. These are our classmates, friends, and mentors who play key roles in each of our unique academic and personal journeys. These ceremonies grant us a final opportunity to be together and say goodbye to our classmates and professors in a meaningful way. 

UO CAS students are deserving of having a ceremony that honors their academic achievements and journey. In the end, students suffer the most from the cancellation of these ceremonies and it is important for the university to prioritize the needs and experiences of its students in making these decisions.