Members  of the Umass Amherst Administration and The 2021 Commencement Planning Committee 

Undoubtedly you are receiving countless emails regarding the plans for the May 14th commencement program.  We are making this collective appeal to you as members of the University of Massachusetts community who also feel strongly that The University can and should adapt plans to accommodate two guests per graduate for the class of 2021 commencement.

We understand that some schools may have similar ceremonies as those currently planned for Umass Amherst, but countless other schools have strengthened  their efforts,  and broadened their plans to include ceremonies over several days to accommodate at least a small number of guests. Umass Lowell, for example has announced that its ceremonies will allow for 2 guests per graduate, and still other colleges will hold as many as 10 small ceremonies to allow for guests.  It is simply the right thing to do. The current Massachusetts state guidelines combined with increasing numbers of vaccinations allow for these types of events.  
The University has asked its students to stay the course, remain adaptable, follow through and demonstrate excellence throughout this pandemic. The students and their families have done their part and met that mark.  

It need not be said that most families make tremendous sacrifices to put a student through college, and make tireless efforts to achieve that goal even under “normal” times. Our graduates have met that mark under very challenging and anything but, “normal times”. We believe it is incumbent on a world class University such as Umass Amherst to lead by example and fully recognize this year’s graduates!  Please make an institutional effort which matches that put forth by the  student body and their  families throughout this harrowing year. 

We are urging UMass Amherst to reconsider the current commencement plans, perhaps add additional small ceremonies and allow graduates and their selected guests to celebrate,  and share this hard earned achievement in person! Umass must demonstrate the adaptability and level of excellence you have asked of your school community.