Give us a REAL graduation!
Postpone any and all celebrations until the Summer so we can celebrate graduation properly.

Due to COVID-19 the class of 2020 at Brighton University had their original Summer 2020 graduation ceremony postponed, similarly to every university in the country. Version 2.0 of our graduation ceremony was supposed to take place in February 2021 however all graduates have received an email today stating that the ceremony has been cancelled and instead “virtual celebrations” will take place in February.

Graduation is something I imagine we all looked forward to, not just since our final exams, but since joining the university many years ago. It is a chance to celebrate our achievements and say a final farewell to Brighton itself. It’s an opportunity for us to spend the day with our families who have mentally (and for some, financially) supported us to reach our goals.

Attending a virtual ceremony, most likely on Zoom, does not even come close to matching the atmosphere and excitement of a day out in Brighton, wearing our cap and gown and having pictures taken with proud parents and coursemates.

The class of 2020 has had perhaps one of the hardest final terms ever as we have battled through sudden changes to learning, exams and for most upheaval in regards to living situations as coronavirus took hold of the country. Throughout all of this the one thought that has helped me, and I’m sure many others, get through it all was the thought of getting to walk across the graduation stage and hear my friends and family clapping.

The decision to rob the students and their family of an experience that many won’t get the chance to experience again has been a thoughtless and cold one. The class of 2020 was not consulted on the possible options that are available, instead the school board has made this decision on our behalf proving how out of touch they truly are.

I implore Brighton University to reconsider the decision to have an online celebration and instead postpone the graduation ceremony until the Summer or further when we are able to all gather safely. Myself, and I’m sure others, would rather be patient and wait for a REAL graduation rather than settle for this subpar ‘solution’.

Please sign and share this petition so the university can understand how many people are outraged by this decision and hopefully reconsider.