Give the Classes of 2020 & 2021 an opportunity to receive a real graduation ceremony. It doesn't have to be as soon as May, or even June. Even as late as December will be better than a virtual ceremony.

Manhattan College began their response to the COVID-19 pandemic irresponsibly. Many colleges, such as Connecticut College, made an early call to close campus for the remainder of the semester. This gave soon-to-be graduates a chance to say one final goodbye before packing up for the remainder of their final semester.

However, Manhattan College told their student body that the campus closing was only temporary. Soon-to-be graduates were given the impression that they would see their close friends soon before parting ways. When Manhattan College announced permanent campus closing, the Class of 2020 was robbed of a real closure on the relationships they had built up.

The Class of 2020 believed that they would eventually see their friends one more time at an eventual in-person ceremony. However, this has been cancelled officially, along with a real ceremony for the Class of 2021. The Class of 2021 did not get real closure on their college experience either, as their final three semesters have been ruined by the pandemic, in addition to the final semester cut short for the Class of 2020.

I ask the administration of Manhattan College—particularly, President Brennan O'Donnell—to promise an eventual in-person ceremony for the Classes of 2020 & 2021, rather than offering only a "close enough" virtual ceremony. College tuition includes the organization of an in-person graduation ceremony, and this is still well within the available budget of Manhattan College.

Even a ceremony as late as Fall 2021, or possibly the beginning of 2022 if necessary, will be infinitely better than a mere virtual ceremony. Manhattan College's mission statement, which can be found on the official college website, includes the goal of "support[ing] the Manhattan College community in its understanding..." So far, the college has neglected to fulfill the needs and desires of two consecutive graduating classes, which goes directly against their own mission statement.

Please offer the students who paid tuition to your institution their completed sense of community. Even a ceremony as late as Fall 2021, or possibly the beginning or middle of 2022 if necessary, will be infinitely better than a mere virtual ceremony.