The University of Northern B.C. (UNBC) has reversed its decision to hold a virtual ceremony instead of postponing a traditional convocation for the graduating class of 2020 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
UNBC interm-president Geoff Payne made the announcement yesterday (April 9) that the university would be switching to a virtual convocation on June 26 to celebrate its graduating class.
Students were encouraged to send a personal message, video or photo to appear on the screen when their name is called during the ceremony.
However, the decision did not sit well with the student body and community. Danika Serafin, a student in the College of Arts, Social, and Health Sciences graduating class of 2020, started a petition to ask the school to instead postpone the ceremony until 2021.
The petition gained over 1,300 signatures.
“We have dreamed for this day to come, for many of us, since the day we could tell our parents what we wanted to do when we grew up,” writes Serafin.
“We have seen you overcome trying and unforeseen times and we are confident that there is a way you can provide our graduating class of 2020 with a convocation that honours the tenacity, resilience, and dedication we have shown you over the course of our final academic year, and over the course of our entire post-secondary education with UNBC.”
Serafin suggests hosting the ceremony a day before the graduating class of 2021 to double up on the time and effort it takes to assemble a grad ceremony.
“I have reached out to the differing colleges that make up the graduating class of 2020 and the consensus is that we will be patient, and travel next year, to attend a convocation ceremony that honours the hard work and strength we have endured during such stressful times.”
Payne has now responded to the student concerns and said UNBC will offer the students a face-to-face convocation ceremony once it’s safe to do so.
“My decision was intended to provide some certainty and clarity to allow the University to recognize our Class of 2020 graduates this spring,” explains Payne in a letter to the students.
“I have heard you and appreciate the constructive and respectful feedback. Through the course of my updates over the past few weeks, I have asked you all to adapt and change in the face of uncertainty and commended your resolve. I, too, must be willing to adapt to change.”
He says after hearing student feedback and in acknowledgement of students’ challenging situation, he commits to holding a traditional face-to-face convocation for the Class of 2020 once the school has received the green light to safely hold events under the guidance of federal and provincial health agencies.
He says the school will also hold the virtual ceremony on June 26, as some students will be unable to return to campus after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We acknowledge that you've had to endure challenges this year; please know that we value you as members of the UNBC community and will do our very best to support you.”
