Please take time to read and sign this petition.

The white coat ceremony represents nursing students being accepted into the field and starting clinical experiences. Students get donned with a white coat and take a pledge to accept the responsibilities as a nurse. This event is celebrated not only by students but their families, friends, professors, and faculty members. Typically, the ceremony is held before students attend their first clinical experience. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the BSN class of '23 white coat ceremony has been postponed several times and has yet to be rescheduled. Nursing students and faculty have overcome many challenges during the pandemic that should be celebrated. 

Traditionally, the ceremony has been held in Baker Center Ball Room but there are other areas on campus which can accommodate an in-person ceremony. Ideally, students can have guests that can watch the ceremony and the event can also be livestreamed online for loved ones that could not attend. Possibly 2 guest per student can attend the ceremony depending on the event area. This event needs to be planned in a timely manner due to prior postponement.

Sports events and other ceremonies on campus have been held with spectators. Nursing students in the class of 2023 should be celebrated properly and receive their white coats.

We would like to bring the petition to the OU SON and College of Health Sciences and Professions. Thank you for your time and support.