We want to gather as many signatures as possible to make Newman University re-consider it’s decision to keep our graduation online.

This petition is following the news that public events with no restrictions could take place from as early as June 21st, just two-and-a-half months after our proposed online graduation.

Whilst we all appreciate that it is not as simple as just swapping dates or getting a venue at short notice etc, we are merely urging those who can, to look into every possible solution. Because there is always a way!

The explanation we got for a March 29th online graduation was that the University “do not feel that further postponement is fair”. Which we can understand! It was in people’s best interest not to be messed about. However, we now have a date and goal in mind and we feel that we can be more productive. 

Even if we graduated at the same time as the class of 2021 (October), it would be a preferred option as opposed to online. People have waited for their big day and do not want to miss it. 

If we were still in the dark (as a nation) regarding future plans, we would accept this decision. But now that we have a clear indication as to when this could all be a real possibility, We feel that simply keeping our graduation online is the ‘easy’ decision.

We have all worked extremely hard over three-years, with this event being the motivation for a lot of people to see their degree through! The walk onto the stage, the proud parents in the audience, the photographs with family and fellow students, the gowns, even the the throwing the hat in the air photograph... it is all part of the process.

Please put in the same effort that we put into achieving this degree, to ensure that we can have a physical graduation to look forward to. 

We are asking for a re-think. We are asking for a re-consideration. We are asking for PHYSICAL options to be bought to the table, not a virtual one.

Many thanks, 

Newman University class of 2020