Here is the email that I sent to USF leadership-

"To whom it may concern:

Hello, my name is Haley Leslie-Haferkamp and I am graduating this Spring from the USF Tampa Campus, writing on the behalf of my entire class and cohort.

I recently received the email indicating that our commencement ceremony will be held in person this semester and I could not be more thrilled about the fact. Reading on, however, I discovered the factors that are usually present in a normal ceremony now absent, and I became deeply moved to contact those in power and urge them to advocate for change.

I understand the established two-person guest capacity, and though I wish I were able to walk across the stage to receive my degree as I’ve always wished since I was young, I also agree that for the sake of the general public’s health this should be avoided as well. What I struggle to understand is the choice to eliminate the presentation of each graduate’s name. My peers have worked endlessly to achieve this recognition (at the very least), and it is disheartening to be told that we will not even get this opportunity. The guests and graduates will already be exposed to each other for a long enough period of time, wearing masks and socially distancing themselves, so it does not make a lot of sense as to why this specific element was discarded. At that point, is time really a factor? Confusion and despair over the COVID-19 crisis have already taken up so much time of our academic careers, and I implore those in power to make the change so that the class of 2021 receives the recognition they deserve, even by this small measure. I, nor any of my peers, have come this far just to be ignored by what may be our largest accomplishment we’ve achieved so far.

The University of South Florida has been my home for the past three years. I know that those holding executive offices are always open to hearing the opinions of the student body and to making changes that reflect their overwhelming opinion when it is appropriate. I believe now is an appropriate time to enact this tweak in planning and I believe you will as well as more students reveal their discomfort with the original commencement plan.

Thank you so much for your attention and action."

Please sign if you wish to see this change!