University of Wyoming recently announced their plans for a virtual graduation. Even after announcing a significant drop in COVID cases in the University and with vaccinations being distributed to residents across the State every day, the University was unable to find a plan that could safely accommodate students and their families. In addition, the University has hosted 2000 fans in the basketball arena weekly for UW basketball games, not to mention the outdoor football games in the fall, when COVID cases were much higher. The University has had over a year to plan and prepare a COVID-safe graduation. Students and our families are respectfully asking the University to reconsider and host an outdoor or indoor socially distanced in-person graduation ceremony, for those families and students that would like to celebrate in person.

Specifically, the law school class of 2021 is less than 80 students. There should be an avenue to safely graduate 80 students in person and we ask the University to consider a plan that allows for this.