University plans to host in-person graduation Dec. 6
By SEAN DOHERTY, student reporter
Northwestern Oklahoma State University is planning to host commencement ceremonies Dec. 6 for fall, summer and spring 2020 graduates.
Spring and summer graduates will be honored at 1 p.m. and fall graduates will be honored at 3:30 p.m in Percefull Fieldhouse.
“We are excited to offer students who graduated last spring an opportunity to have an in-person graduation as well, thus the two ceremonies,” said Dr. Bo Hannaford, executive vice president of academic affairs.
The university announced that, because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, each graduate is only permitted to have two guests in attendance. Officials asked faculty not to attend the ceremony.
Kelsey Martin, director of marketing and university relations, said the university made the decision based off of current safety standards and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Aside from the social distancing precautions, the ceremony will be the same as it was in previous years, Martin said.
“We have thought through many scenarios, and this is the best situation to honor our graduates,” Martin said.
Percefull Fieldhouse has designated seating to allow for social distancing. Officials said proper ventilation has been installed within the building, and attendees are required to wear face coverings. Extensive cleaning and disinfecting will take place between ceremonies.
“To have these ceremonies, we still need to be responsible and adhere to our protocols for safety in terms of social distancing and wearing masks,” Hannaford said. “While having the graduation in the gym, as is our tradition in December, we cannot have the faculty participate. This allows us to have the room on the floor of the gym for our students to socially distance.”
“Two tickets is based solely off of what we have space for in the gym,” said Calleb Mosburg, dean of student affairs. “We only have limited space that would allow for a safe environment and still allow us to successfully have a ceremony for both graduating groups.”
Some Oklahoma universities have already chosen to do virtual graduation ceremonies for fall graduates.
“We are excited to be able to have an in-person graduation,” Hannaford said. “I believe Northwestern is one of three or four universities in the state doing so.”
Kris Robinson graduated this spring, but is not planning to attend the ceremony.
“If I’m only allowed two tickets to my graduation, that means only my parents can attend,” Robinson said. “I have plenty more that would want to go, like my siblings, grandparents and cousins. That’s why I’m electing not to walk this fall. I’ve been out of college this long. I just want to move on and let it be,” Robinson said.
‘WE DEFINITELY WANT TO PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY’
Mosburg said the university is aware of graduates’ frustrations with the decision.
“We understand there may be frustrations about that,” Mosburg said. “We would encourage them to still walk. We’re going to have it live-streamed, so people would be able to see them walking and where they’re from. It’s an opportunity for students to be able to walk across the stage. We don’t make them do it, but if they want the opportunity to do so, we definitely want to provide the opportunity if we can.”
Ethan Harzman will graduate with an agribusiness degree this fall, and he is planning to walk across the stage.
“It’s pretty disappointing I can’t have my whole family there to see me walk,” Harzman said. “I feel like it’s a big milestone to graduate from college, and I have to choose only two people to see me walk across the stage. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, and now I can’t experience it with everyone I want there.”
Mosburg said the university empathizes with graduates and wants to honor their achievements.
“We understand the effort, hard work and dedication it takes to be able to graduate,” Mosburg said. “That ceremony to be able to walk across the stage, even though it seems somewhat minimal – just walking across the stage holds some significance and it gives closure. It allows for people to have that time to say, ‘I did it.’ That’s why we want to give an opportunity if we can.”
Mosburg said he stands behind the university’s decision.
“We wish we could do more and really open the door and allow for all family to be able to be there or friends, but we know that’s not possible,” he said. “In order for us to be able to do it, we’ve got to have some restrictions on allowing for so many people inside the facility.”
‘I UNDERSTAND’
Harzman said she understands the university’s decision as well.
“I understand what’s going on around the world, and if that will keep everyone safe—say if someone brought their grandparents or something—I completely understand why they are doing it.”
The university’s main concern is to provide a safe environment for graduates and their guests to witness the milestone of university commencement, Hannaford said.
“These have been tough decisions to make and the ceremonies will be a bit different,” Hannaford said. “But we feel our students deserve an opportunity to walk across the stage, and this is our goal.”