The University of Sheffield has postponed in-person graduation celebrations for 2021 until 2022, although the exact dates are yet to be confirmed, students have been told that the graduation ceremonies will be held in March or May.
The Events team have said that the potential for the government roadmap dates to change with little notice means that there is a high risk of last minute cancellations. Therefore they have decided to reschedule the graduation ceremonies, due to the level of planning required and to recognise that students and their families would need to organise travel and possibly accommodation to attend the event.
Holding ceremonies this summer would also mean that international students who are unable to get to the UK would miss out.
In a statement to students, Head of Events Wendy Hobson said: “We know this news will be disappointing and that the last year has been a difficult period for you all. Please be assured that we understand how important graduation is to you and your family.”
Final year students have been told that there will be virtual celebrations held this year.
Final year Business Management student Lauren Ward has started a petition titled ‘Give us the Graduation we Deserve’ to urge the university to reconsider their decision.
In the petition she states: “After a tough year of constant lockdowns, lack of support and neglect, we, the students of The University of Sheffield feel we deserve a graduation this summer.
“The excuse given that the level of planning is not worth doing as there is a risk of cancellation is not good enough and we deserve better after all our years of hard work (and paying £9,250+ each year).
“We propose to the University that they reconsider their decision and make an effort to put on graduations for the class of 2020 and 2021 this July.”
The petition is currently at 346 signatures.
In a statement, Students’ Union President, Beth Eyre and Development Officer Jordan Weir said that they have expressed to the University the emotional impact this will have on students. They also said they will continue to work with the University to ensure these ceremonies are not cancelled for students graduating this year, as well as students who graduated in 2020.
“As Student Officers who were expected to have our own graduation at the end of 2020 we share wholeheartedly the disappointment at the news that ceremonies will be postponed until next year.”
In the statement the officers said they are planning to hold smaller scale celebrations in the summer and will update students as soon as possible.
They added: “We understand your frustration and know that the Forgotten Students of this pandemic deserve recognition for their resilience and achievements throughout the last year and a half.”
