Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kansas State University has made the decision to move all in-person courses online for the rest of the Spring 2020 semester. We are not the only University to make this decision, and are inspired by Oklahoma State University’s efforts to honor a Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2020. On behalf of the Class of 2020, and all other parties involved, we are creating this petition to request that Spring Commencement ceremonies be postponed until further notice, instead of cancelled. 

The CDC recommends against having large gatherings for the next 8 weeks, which would put us at a date just prior to our original scheduled Ceremonies. We understand that we have been put in a difficult situation with many different factors influencing the decision to cancel Commencement, however we are requesting that this decision remain undecided for the time being. We understand the trying conditions that the University staff have been put under, and we respect their efforts in keeping students and faculty safe. As of late, many students have expressed how meaningful a Commencement ceremony is to not only the individual and the Class of 2020 as a whole, but also to those who have supported them in every single step. This is a significant life moment and we are passionate about ensuring that each student is given this opportunity to celebrate their hard work. Commencement represents so much more than finishing degree work, but also rewarding the hard work, time invested, and personal growth that occurred over your college years. We have International students, First Generation students, and Graduate students who should not be deprived of this opportunity. So many sacrifices have been made for each of us to get to this point of completing this major life milestone, and that is an accomplishment worth celebrating.  

We are requesting that the following accommodations be made to the Spring 2020 Commencement Ceremony: 

1. Reevaluate the status of COVID-19 once our 8 week period has concluded. 
2. If it is not possible to hold the May Ceremony, plan a separate Commencement Ceremony at a future date to celebrate the Class of 2020.  

At Kansas State University we have always strived to promote the value and significance of “Family”, and now is a time to exhibit what we truly mean by that.

We are thankful for our time spent at this great University and we want to have the opportunity to celebrate accordingly.

Students/Family/Staff: Please support the Class of 2020 by signing and sharing this petition! We are passionate about the people at K-State and mean it when we talk about us being a family, so if you are a past, present, or future K-Stater, please take a minute to sign and share this petition to benefit the Class of 2020. Stay indoors and please practice physical distancing!