The nursing cohort has seen your email regarding the “Grads on the Green” event and were disappointed with the fact that we are getting our certificates via mail and not doing a proper graduation ceremony.

We believe that the reason being down to COVID-19 is not a valid excuse as restrictions surrounding public gatherings will not be enforced starting from the end of November this year. Additionally, other Universities within Victoria are hosting a graduation ceremony. Therefore, we do not see any valid reasoning as to why us Deakin Nursing students are unable to have a graduation ceremony as the nursing cohort would be fully vaccinated by the end of this year, restrictions will not be enforced and case numbers are on the decline.

I would really hope by seeing all the students who have signed this petition that you would reconsider your decision and see from our point of view how much it would mean for us to be able to have a proper graduation ceremony. We have all had a challenging couple of years because of COVID-19 and missed out on the opportunity to have the full university experience. This graduation is the final opportunity for us to have at least part of that experience so, I really urge you to please reconsider this decision and allow us this opportunity.