UNT in-person commencement ceremonies at Apogee Stadium for Spring 2021, by university policy, will not include any verbal recognition of individual graduating students (There will be no role-calling of student’s names). From my perspective, as an undergraduate, graduation is a ceremony meant to recognize an individual student’s achievements. Although commencement acknowledges those who help a student on their path, the primary takeaway from a traditional ceremony is the in-person recognition of the student in the presence of their loved ones, other students, and faculty. Each student has had to undergo their own struggles to get to the climactic moment that is graduation, and thus, should be recognized as such. The coronavirus pandemic has taxed each student in our own way, and we have had to give up much of the college experience. Now the university is asking us to give up one of the most precious rites of passage. This will increasingly add to the depression shared by students at this time.  

If the policy decision is due to the discouraging of verbal cheering in lieu of COVID-19, I petition for the following:

Institute role calling during the graduation/commencement ceremony and allow and encourage non-verbal cheering. This non-verbal cheering can be achieved through providing or allowing such items as handheld noise makers, banners, clapping, etc. with the recommended CDC guidelines of social distancing, limited capacity, outdoor gatherings, and wearing masks.