The university released updated information detailing plans for this year’s in-person commencement ceremony for the Class of 2021.
The updated information, as it appeared on April 9, can be found under the university’s COVID-19 Safety at Commencement webpage. The information lays out guidelines for graduates, guests, faculty and staff to follow, including requiring mask wearing regardless of vaccine status, social distancing and requiring everyone stay seated throughout the event.
Jillian Garvey ’21, president of University Student Senate (USS), said she and Gabby Stevenson ’21, vice president of USS, wanted to make the commencement ceremony as normal as possible amid the coronavirus pandemic and the past “disheartening” senior year. Garvey and Stevenson provided their feedback in a subcommittee to the university’s Commencement Committee.
“[We] felt like commencement really should be something you celebrate,” Garvey said. “We got a group of 15 students together and the overall feeling was that we would rather be all together graduating as an entire class.”
The university has also determined a guest limit for each graduate, each of whom will be given four tickets. Guest tickets will have each graduate’s name on them, as they are nontransferable, according to an announcement sent to graduating students on April 12.
“Two tickets will provide entrance to the event venue at Curran Field, and two will provide entrance to a livestream viewing area at Sweeney Field,” according to the university’s commencement website.
Gabrielle Lacherza, public relations manager, wrote in response to written questions from The Hawk that approximately 1,011 undergraduate students and 1,171 graduate students are set to graduate on May 22.
Lacherza said guest numbers were determined “based on the estimated number of eligible graduates, previous total attendance and the number of people permitted due to Philadelphia Department of Public Health guidance.”
Bella Cocozza ’21 said she is satisfied with the university’s graduation plans, as she knows other schools will be conducting virtual ceremonies for their graduates. However, Cocozza said she would like to receive more information from the school about what the ceremony will entail.
“The website provides a bit more detail, but I am still unsure about what to expect and how to prepare for the ceremony,” Cocozza said. “I think it would be helpful if there was more communication with the student body during these uncertain times.”
Gail Benner, director of public relations and media, wrote in response to written questions from The Hawk that not all details are set in stone yet.
“Commencement is an enormous undertaking, in any year,” Benner said. “There are many details to work out and it is crucial that students receive the information in a comprehensive manner.”
Emma Wright ’21 said she is glad that the commencement ceremony will be held in person and said she appreciates the university’s efforts to make sure the ceremony is held in person.
“I’m not really going to be expecting any answers right away,” Wright said. “I wasn’t expecting a super early answer. I felt like, okay, maybe if they’re not telling us right away that means they’re trying to figure out if we’ll be able to do [in-person graduation].”
According to the April 12 email, students can now submit their name and pronunciation, a photo and a personal statement through MarchingOrder, the company the university has contracted with to provide support for the ceremony. According to the email, graduates will also be able to reserve their guests’ tickets through MarchingOrder.
