This document supports the proposal of Methodist College to allow for an in-person pinning ceremony and graduation for the December 2021 graduating class. We are extremely passionate and would be very thankful to have this final opportunity to celebrate our hard work over these last few years in front of each other and students' loved ones. We would also like to propose each student being permitted 4 individuals to attend the ceremony on their behalf.

IDPH Evidence-Based Support:

As of recent research by the IDPH, with consideration of the new Delta variant, on June 11, 2021, Illinois moved to Phase 5 of the COVID-19 Recovery plan. This phase states:

-       Fully vaccinated individuals can gather in many of the settings that they did, prior to the pandemic.

-       Everyone over the age of two, chronic health issues permitting, can be required to wear a mask covering their mouth and nose if they are not able to maintain a distance of 6 feet apart.

-       Large-scale events will be able to operate at full capacity for the first time since the start of the pandemic without capacity restrictions.

-       Face coverings and a negative COVID-19 test result can be submitted up to 72 hours prior to the event in lieu of vaccination status.