Oakland University announced on March 20, 2020; that due to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus (2019-ncov)) that Spring Commencement has been postponed from April 30-May 2 to August 27-29. This was to be in full compliance to Governor Whitmer's Executive Orders. This was followed by radio silence until May 1, 2020. When the graduating class of 2020 received an email via our Oakland Emails, of a survey giving Oakland's graduates two options if a postponement or cancellation of commencement happens again:

1) Virtual Ceremony

2) Option to attend fall Commencement in December 2020 (over several days) -- Pending CDC recommendations for social distancing.

From the wording of the survey, it seems that Oakland University's Commencement Office and Provost is leaning more towards a virtual ceremony. This is unacceptable and downplays all of our hard work to earn a commencement we deserve. 

We the Graduating class of Oakland University of 2020 demand a in-person commencement ceremony we deserve when it is physically possible and safe to do so. We have worked hard for our degrees (Bachelors, Masters, and PhDs) we should be able to celebrate appropriately, NOT ON A INTERNET SCREEN!