As COVID restrictions are being lifted all over the country and in San Bernardino County in response to mass vaccination efforts, it is the expectation of so many students and parents that the graduating class of 2021 be afforded the monumental opportunity for a (highly modified) in-person Commencement to signify their achievements. With new guidelines released by the state of California on Friday, March 26th, for colleges to hold graduation ceremonies safely, the University should reconsider its plan for the 2021 commencement ceremony.  

As we see COVID-19 cases in California are rapidly declining, the UoR Graduates of Spring 2021 should have at least the option of an in-person commencement with proper social distancing measures. The Graduates of 2021 have worked incredibly hard over the past four years and have endured so much over the past year at the University of Redlands and beyond in the midst of a global pandemic. Being able to graduate in-person would validate our success throughout our four years and throughout this pandemic, which has affected each and every one of our lives tremendously. Recent guidance from the California Department of Public Health outlines all restrictions and rules regarding commencement ceremonies. 

Below is a (non-exhaustive) list of safety measures the University of Redlands can implement to ensure a safe and successful commencement ceremony:

1. Proper rules and regulations implemented – masks required, people seated 6 feet apart, hand hygiene, waiver forms required, negative COVID test results, etc.
2. Possibility of postponement to a later date.
3. Allow for only students to attend commencement ceremonies and have it live-streamed for the audience virtually. 
4. Degrees can be done in shifts at different times of the day in safe conditions.
5. Larger venues – Football stadiums or other parks/public spaces that will be allowing limited capacity.
6. Reducing the number of people in a single space – splitting students up by major or last name so that each ceremony is smaller.
7. Online options- available for those who do not feel comfortable or are unable to attend.
8. Combination of all the above.

Other College campuses that have found creative solutions for carrying out an in-person graduation this year include(but are not limited to):

• Occidental College: https://www.oxy.edu/commencement 
• University of San Diego: https://www.sandiego.edu/commencement/undergraduate/
• CSU Fullerton: http://www.fullerton.edu/commencement/ 
• University of Southern California: https://commencement.usc.edu
• Cal Lutheran University: https://www.callutheran.edu/news/14227.html#story 
• Biola University: https://www.biola.edu/commencement 
• Westmont College: https://www.westmont.edu/commencement-2021 
• Cal Baptist University: https://calbaptist.edu/commencement/
• Chapman University: https://www.chapman.edu/students/academic-resources/graduation/faqs.aspx 

Please sign this petition to demonstrate your support for extremely modified and safe, in-person, outdoor Commencement ceremonies at the University of Redlands. 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 Redlands 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.

To see new guidelines from the state of California: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/COVID19-Graduation-Guidance.aspx

If you want to reach out to the Administration, you can also email: steve_wuhs@redlands.edu, donna_eddleman@redlands.edu, kathy_ogren@redlands.edu