The University of Texas at Tyler has decided to hold Spring 2020 Graduation outdoors at the Patriot Plaza as a group of all spring 2020 graduates. Traditionally, graduation is held in the Cowan Center, separated by schools within the college (School of Education, School of Nursing and Health Sciences, etc.) By signing this petition, we say that we would rather have limited tickets per student, and be indoors in a Texas spring than have open standing room in a low visibility grassy area on campus. We also say that we would not like to sit through all spring 2020 graduate credentialing, but want our schools of UT Tyler separate due to them being unique in their own way. 
We don’t believe that you should change a previously established working system for one that has the potential to ruin an event that most graduates and their families have coveted for four or more years. 
The Patriot Plaza has purpose, but our graduation is not one of them.