Hofstra announces in-person commencement
Despite COVID-19 concerns, Hofstra University graduates will be allowed to walk in an in-person commencement ceremony. // Picture courtesy of Hofstra University Commencement
On Wednesday, April 21, the Hofstra University Office of the Provost released new details concerning this year’s commencement ceremony.
Current seniors, as well as Spring ‘20 and Fall ‘20 graduates, are invited to attend a slightly larger, in-person outdoor ceremony this year, with COVID-19 safety guidelines in place and a guest limit of two per student.
Prior to these updates, the commencement ceremony was limited to graduating students only, and any friends and family were to attend remotely through a live broadcast. The University sent out the email containing these previous guidelines on Tuesday, April 6, and in reference to the rules, stated, “We know this will be disappointing news.”
Many graduating Hofstra seniors are looking forward to having a graduation ceremony more similar to the ones held prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was feeling really sad about having to graduate in an empty stadium without my family there,” said Maya Brodtman, a senior early childhood and childhood education major. “Now that I know I have two tickets, I’m feeling extra excited about getting to walk across stage and spend the day celebrating with my parents.”
On Monday, April 12, New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo released the new guidelines for all New York commencement ceremonies. These guidelines, effective Saturday, May 1, state that in-person ceremonies are allowed, but outdoor and indoor venues will be at limited capacity depending on their size, as well as a limit of two attendees per student. Proof of a negative COVID-19 test or vaccination will also be required, as well as face masks, social distancing, health screening and contact tracing information.
Gabrielle St. Léger, dean of students and assistant vice president for Student Affairs, said that there was always a desire to provide students with an in-person graduation, and administration was just waiting for the guidelines to do so.
“The year has been very challenging and to have this be the end result, where we’re able to fulfill this promise, is good,” St. Léger said. “We want to celebrate our students and we want to celebrate the families. We want to make sure that they have that moment.”
Other departments are also working to hold up their own graduation traditions. The Hofstra University Honors College will be hosting three events before each of the main graduation ceremonies, where office members will hand out medals to the graduating students.
“The HUHC deans and staff are all happy that students will get to have something very close to the ceremony they’ve looked forward to for the past four years,” said Vimala Pasupathi, associate dean for the Honors College. Pasupathi also said that while these short ceremonies will not be an exact replacement of their former graduation events, members of the office “will be right there by the stadium to show how pleased we are to play a part in their success as they prepare for their next steps.”
Commencement ceremonies will take place over several days toward the end of May. Spring and Fall ‘20 graduates will be provided with an earlier time slot for their in-person ceremony on Monday, May 24.
“Sometimes it doesn't even feel like I graduated,” said Allison Silva, a Hofstra University alumnus that graduated in May 2020. At the time, many graduating seniors expressed their disappointment in the lack of an in-person ceremony. “I know that it wasn't anyone's fault because we were in a global pandemic, and still are, but I still get upset knowing I missed out on such an important ceremony,” Silva said.
Many students have said that they prefer these changes in commencement plans. “It'll be nice to be able to be sent off with an actual graduation instead of coming back at a later year,” said Gregory Quintanilla, a senior computer science major. Quintanilla will be bringing his parents, using his two guest tickets. However, other seniors had a more difficult time choosing their two guests.
“I think I'll just be bringing my mom to the ceremony,” said Madison Spence-Moore, a senior film major. “This was a tough decision to make since I have three little sisters who I'd love to bring, but it just isn't feasible.”
Hofstra University is adhering to the two guests per student guideline, as well as all other New York State guidelines. Masks must be worn, and physical distance will be maintained throughout the ceremony. All attendees, including graduates, will have to abide by current COVID-19 guidelines. “We are going to safely have our commencement. It’s going to be a wonderful time and Northwell is going to help us do that,” St. Léger said.
