Rose State Graduation Ceremony Potentially Cancelled:What Students Need to Know

Illustration courtesy of Getty Image and Mental Floss

By Selena Williams - Senior Editor

Before the spread of the COVID-19, most college students looked forward to walking the stage with their diploma in hand, but now that might not happen.
   Think about it, a person goes to grade school for about 13 years and college for about four, all to walk across a stage to accept a diploma. And now, due to the health and safety regulations the nation, as well as the world is under, that moment might not come for the Class of 2020. 
   As of now, students will not return to class for the remainder of the school year, meaning they might not see some of their classmates again.
   Rose State President Jeanie Webb sent a statement via email March 21. The statement read as follows.
   “Rose State College Commencement Ceremonies scheduled for May 8, 2020 are postponed and unfortunately may ultimately have to be cancelled. We are looking for appropriate ways we can honor our graduates by considering alternatives to our traditional spring graduation events.”
   This is unsettling news for students graduating this spring, but with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the safest way to ensure that the virus doesn’t spread. 
   According to Lance Newbold, vice president of student affairs, Rose State is not eliminating the possibilities of a graduation ceremony just yet.
   “We have not categorically ruled out anything yet,” he said. “We are working diligently to continue to provide instruction and student services during this challenging time and will look at all options in the coming weeks.”
   Although the possibility of having a graduation ceremony sounds wonderful, it is unlikely to happen at the moment. 
   School might be out for a bit, but the class of 2020 graduates can still hold a memorable graduation ceremony.
   So, here is a way to celebrate your achievements while under quarantine.  
   Get together family members already in your same household and stage a graduation. Set up chairs, a makeshift stage, put on a cap and gown, choose an announcer. And for those family members that are under quarantine in a separate household, FaceTime, Zoom and Google Hangouts is an option for them not to miss out on the special occasion.
   
   

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