Graduation in Times of COVID

By: Akanksha Thakur

The time is coming closer and closer for the 2021 commencement ceremony. In just a few months, our hard-working seniors will be walking down with their diplomas. There are usually upwards of approximately 10,000 guests every year for the ceremony, these may be family members, as well as local community members cheering on graduates. This year, the pandemic has affected our ceremony slightly. As of Trine’s current plans, the graduation ceremony will be held in the ARC on May 8. 

In the past ceremonies, there were no restrictions on guests, however due to COVID, we are not able to celebrate this occasion with large gatherings due to social distance guidelines. Although this is a slight inconvenience, safety, and wellness of everyone is of utmost importance. The locations of most commencement activities have changed, with limited number of guests allowed. Social Distancing and precautions have been taken into special consideration. The stage will be much larger for our distinguished guests to be safely socially distanced, and masks will be mandatory for all guests, graduates, faculty, and staff.

Cleanliness also plays a vital role. The graduation location will be sanitized in order to maintain utmost cleanliness. In addition, many hand sanitizing stations have been purchased by the university, these will be placed all over the commencement activity locations. This event will also be live streamed for anyone who cannot make it in person, accommodating all in attendance and ensuring the festivities remain safe. Graduation may look different this year, but Trine is doing everything in its power to send seniors off in a safe and familiar way this spring.