Walking across the great lawn and being hooded has been a moment that all 200 students in the College of Pharmacy have dreamt about since the first day of freshman year. From spending endless nights studying in the library, to working on the frontlines in hospitals and administering vaccines, graduation has been the privilege at the end of our six year journey. 

Over the past six years we have watched St. John’s host numerous events on The Great Lawn ranging from graduation, to concerts and carnivals. However, this year, St. John’s has declined to provide us a graduation ceremony on this same outdoor space that has previously held over 14,000 individuals for a single graduation. To have our graduation stripped from us when the great lawn can be easily accessible for a socially distanced graduation is heartbreaking. 

St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences accelerated PharmD. program has instilled in us a desire to give back to our community. When Governor Cuomo went on television asking for the help of health care workers we all leaped into action. We balanced online classes with additional hours at work in hospitals and community pharmacies; we were glad to do our part. 

With the vaccines rolling out in full force, many students jumped into action to help vaccinate. Many signed up to volunteer, with no pay, on top of rotations, after an email was sent out by the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences asking for volunteer immunizers. Many students have also spent countless hours at clinics and community pharmacies to help immunize NYC. When told to enter COVID units to help patients, we did so without hesitation as that is what our profession entails. 

When our class was exposed to preceptors with COVID, we stood silent. When our class was exposed to tuberculosis, we stood silent. With many unforeseen obstacles thrown our way during our last clinical year, we adapted and stood silent. However, this time the class will not remain silent in asking the college to allow us to have our hooding ceremony with just the graduating class in attendance.  

Starting March 15th, 2021, Governor Cuomo has stated that indoor events can take place with 150 people per event. With the entire class of 2021 consisting of a little over 200 soon to be doctors, we call on the college to allow us to be hooded in an outdoor ceremony like other pharmacy schools in NYS. Socially distanced outdoor events are possible with many of the graduates having already received their vaccinations. We are willing to receive a COVID test prior to the event, and will abide by wearing masks at all times. With the Great Lawn being able to hold over 14,000 individuals in the past, having a graduating class with a mere 200 students (less than 5% of the total number of people in attendance for the graduating Class of 2018) being denied an in-person graduation seeks to diminish the accomplishments the Class of 2021 has achieved.

We ask the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, alumni, friends, and families to stand behind the Class of 2021 in receiving a graduation and not a powerpoint presentation over Zoom. If the class as a whole has been on the front lines fighting COVID, we ask the university to rescind their decision and allow a graduation with just the students to take place. If permission is granted, we would be more than happy to put a committee together to ensure safety during the ceremony. Graduation is a time to celebrate the class’s accomplishments together, we ask you to look back on your own graduation and remember the feeling of pride and happiness you had on that day. 

Sincerely,

 St. John’s University PharmD. Class of 2021