Graduating college, especially in the midst of a pandemic, is an incredible achievement that everyone deserves to celebrate alongside their peers, mentors, friends, and family. Unfortunately, Ithaca College has not taken steps to ensure the commencement ceremony is safe and accessible for all, particularly those of us who are disabled, chronically ill, and/or immunocompromised. In light of the Tompkins County Health Department’s health advisory strongly recommending masking in public spaces issued on April 27th, Ithaca College should require masks at graduation. Tompkins County is now a high transmission area according to CDC standards. Therefore, it is extremely concerning that the commencement committee has chosen not to implement a mask mandate for the commencement ceremony. 

Given the number of people that will be in attendance, the duration of the ceremony, and the fact that it is being held indoors, IC must take the proper safety measures to ensure all graduates, faculty, staff, and guests feel comfortable attending. It is unfair that disabled, immunocompromised, and chronically ill students and their loved ones are forced to choose between attending a once in a lifetime event and ensuring our health and safety. 

In email correspondence with the chairs of the commencement committee, they say that masks will be “strongly encouraged” for those in attendance, but not required. We know that the risk of transmission is far greater when indoors with large groups of people not wearing masks. When we still have  peers, friends, and loved ones catching COVID, it is reckless and irresponsible to act as though the risks have been completely eliminated. 

End of year celebrations such as Kendall Day and Senior Week create an environment where COVID is more likely to spread. In addition, bringing thousands of people to campus for commencement with only a strong recommendation to wear a mask is a recipe for disaster. We feel everyone attending the ceremony should be required to wear masks for the safety of the entire community, and especially those who are disabled, immunocompromised, and chronically ill. 

We strongly urge the commencement committee co-chairs Doreen Hettich-Atkins, Vikki Levine, MaryAnn Taylor, and David Prunty to take the necessary steps to ensure that all community members feel safe and comfortable attending this important ceremony. We feel that requiring masks is the easiest solution to keep everyone safe so we can all focus on celebrating.  If students are really your why, then listen to our concerns. Ensure this monumental event is safe enough for everyone to be able to participate in it.