Hi everyone! FSU’s graduating class of 2020 just found out that graduation will no longer be happening in May as originally scheduled. We currently are not aware of how exactly graduation will go about but the class of 2020 deserves a proper commencement ceremony. While this cancellation of graduation isn’t unreasonable with the spread of the coronavirus, graduation is something that all of us have been working towards during our time at Florida State.

Graduating college is a important milestone and accomplishment in many students' lifetimes. For first-generation college students to the students who worked part-time jobs just to receive an education, having the opportunity to be recognized for this achievement is an event that students and their families look forward to for years. Graduating is no easy feat and these years at college required sacrifices from both students and their families. While the precaution to move the rest of the semester online to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is understandable, cancelling graduation is extremely devastating. Students invested time and money into FSU to further their education and I hope — once these trying times pass and the safety of others is no longer compromised — we can receive recognition for our achievement. 

Sign this petition to send FSU the message that we want them to commit to rescheduling a proper ceremony for the graduating class of 2020. While we most definitely need to be practicing social distancing at this time, we have worked too hard to miss out on walking graduation and receiving our diplomas in the traditional manner. Hopefully, administrators can come to a reasonable solution  where seniors can receive their “senior send-off toast” from President Thrasher along with their ceremony. Let’s offer a reasonable alternative: we push the ceremony to late summer or early fall. We deserve an in-person ceremony once it is safe to do so. Thank you!