For the last four years, seniors at St. John’s University have been working hard to achieve their life long dream of earning a college degree. They have spent countless hours engaging in class, studying for exams, and contributing to the SJU community. Of course, COVID-19 has drastically shifted our society. But we have been socially distancing and being responsible as students and faculty for months now. From complying with security checkpoints to wearing masks in classrooms, we have done everything we can to ensure we keep our peers safe and out of harms way. With that being said, it should not be up to the university to cancel our in person graduation without consulting their senior students and their families.

It is disappointing that we were given not one opportunity to express our opinion about a moment in our life that we have been working so hard to reach. Instead of completely cancelling our in person commencement, there are many different ways that graduation can be conducted in a safe and organized manner. Here are a few simple options that would allow us to enjoy this long awaited day responsibly in each other’s company:

1. Each separate college will have their own commencement on a different day or at different time. For example, Tobin students have their ceremony separately than pharmacy students. Or, conduct ceremonies in alphabetical order by last name in order to stagger those in attendance. This would break down graduates into groups, drastically reducing the chance of spreading COVID.                                                       

2. The Great Lawn and our other athletic fields should be utilized. They are large open areas that are sufficient enough to accommodate socially distancing attendees. 

3. Limit the number of family members allowed to attend to 2 per graduate.                                          

4. Mandate that masks be worn for the duration of each ceremony. 

5. Give the option to students to graduate virtually if they or someone they know have a pre-existing condition or are not comfortable participating in person for any reason.

6. Handshakes between students and faculty upon receiving their diploma will be omitted.                    

7.   Conduct a drive by graduation ceremony in which seniors will be able to exit their personal vehicle (while wearing a mask) and receive their diploma while in cap and gown. They will be able to have a brief photo opportunity and then allow for the next car to partake.                                                                             

All of these options involve precautionary measures to accommodate all students, family members and faculty.

With the implementation of COVID vaccines by Pfizer (95% success rate), Moderna (95% success rate), and Johnson and Johnson (66% success rate), we are more equipped now than ever to combat this virus. Though it is not completely eradicated, we have more knowledge about COVID-19 now than in the previous year. Vaccination doses will also continue to be distributed for the next 3 months leading up to the impending graduation date. 

Additionally, the average cost of St. John’s tuition has increased by $1,159 (3.01%) from the 2019-2020 academic year to the 2020-2021 academic year. It is disgusting that St. John’s University raised tuition in the midst of a global pandemic, where many students and their loved ones have suffered physically, emotionally and financially. It is disgraceful and unfair that students and their families have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars over the last four years only to be forced to achieve this proud academic feat behind a screen. Parents have sacrificed blood, sweat, and tears in order to get their child to this long awaited milestone.

Instead of taking the easy way out and holding a mandatory virtual graduation, let’s have a conversation between senior students and administrators in order to find a way to safely conduct our much deserved graduation ceremony.