In the next coming weeks marks one year since lessons have been delivered online due to the crisis of COVID-19. These are measures that us, as students, have understood and adapted to with difficulty. However, the decision that the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Portsmouth has announced to host an online graduation is truly frustrating and disheartening. 

Not only have students been neglected during the whole of the pandemic with limited resources and lack of contact time, but also created a University experience that is far from mundane. We as students have faced challenges way out of our comfort zone and have endured every obstacle this pandemic has thrown at us. University without a pandemic is physically and mentally difficult on its own and an online graduation does not fill students with a sense of achievement that we deserve.

This is a time for celebration, not only for students but also the staff that have had to adjust to the unfortunate changes. Although the University has offered us to celebrate our achievements during the 2022 Alumni event, many students believe that it is only fair that an event is to be held specifically for the 2020 & 2021 graduates. Given the circumstances, we understand that hosting a physical graduation is not ideal. However, we would rather wait for the time when it is safe for a face-to-face graduation than have our University experience conclude behind a screen.  

Please help us by signing and sharing this petition for the class of 2020 AND 2021 to get the graduation we deserve!