With COVID restrictions being lifted all over the country in response to mass vaccination efforts and continued guidance from the CDC with regard to managing large gatherings, it is the expectation of the students of the graduating class of 2021 to be afforded the monumental opportunity for an in-person Commencement to signify their achievements. Many students like myself have already lost a complete year of school if not more, from the impacts of COVID-19. 

***The University of Nevada, Las Vegas just announced today (3/19/2021) that they will be holding an in-person commencement for their spring 2021 graduates and 2020 graduates.***

As we see COVID-19 cases in Nevada are rapidly declining, there is no reason as to why the UNR Graduates of Spring 2021 should not be able to have at least the option of an in-person commencement with proper social distancing. The Graduates of 2021 have worked incredibly hard over the past four years and have endured our last year at the University of Nevada, Reno in the midst of a global pandemic. Being able to graduate in-person would be able to validate our success throughout our four years at UNR and throughout this pandemic, which has affected each and every one of our lives tremendously. In a recent Press Conference on 2/11/2021 held by Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, "if COVID-19 trends continue to decrease by May 1, 2021 all COVID restrictions will be handed over to local authorities as opposed to state guidance." This state allows full indoor casinos to operate while the University cannot at least attempt to hold a safe outdoor graduation ceremony while cases and hospitalizations are declining and mass vaccination efforts are in place. That being said, there is plenty of time from now until May 14th, when our commencement is scheduled to take place, to plan for a safe, in-person commencement. If the University of Nevada, Reno is able to bring students back on campus for the semester, and charge room and board, it should also be willing to create a more significant commencement experience, even if it means the school would have to spend money to do so.

**Points of Distribution for COVID-19 Vaccines are also up and running throughout the state for NSHE employees.**

There are many options to consider as alternatives to a traditional ceremony: 

1. Reducing the number of people in a single space – splitting the graduate schools and college so that each ceremony is smaller, creating a limit on the number of guests allowed for each student, etc.

2. Classes and degrees can be done in shifts at different times of the day in safe conditions. 

3. Larger venues – Mackay Stadium or other parks/public spaces that will be allowing 50% capacity after March 1st, 2021.

4. Proper rules and regulations implemented – masks required, people seated 6 feet apart, hand hygiene, waiver forms required, negative COVID test results, etc. 

5. Allow for only students to attend commencement ceremonies and have it live-streamed for the audience virtually. 

6. Online options- available for those who do not feel comfortable or are unable to attend.

7. Combination of all the above.

Other College campuses that have found creative solutions for carrying out an in-person graduation this year including:

• University of Nevada, Las Vegas: https://www.unlv.edu/commencement
• Boise State University: https://www.boisestate.edu/commencement/
• University of Arizona: https://commencement.arizona.edu/
• Purdue University: https://www.purdue.edu/commencement/
• Princeton University: https://commencement.princeton.edu/
• Dartmouth College: https://www.dartmouth.edu/commence/
• Brown University: https://commencement.brown.edu/
• University of Georgia: https://commencement.uga.edu/
• University of Kansas: https://commencement.ku.edu/
• University of Oklahoma: https://www.ou.edu/commencement
• University of Colorado, Denver: https://www.ucdenver.edu/commencement

 Please sign this petition to demonstrate your support for SAFE, in-person, outdoor Commencement exercises at the University of Nevada, Reno. Those who have signed this petition, believe this recognition of our accomplishments is too deserving to be awarded virtually at this point in time.

We call on the University of Nevada, Reno to reconsider its decision regarding an online commencement and—although subject to change—at least plan for a possibility of an in-person commencement for the graduating class of 2021.