Pictured above: Students will have the opportunity to attend a virtual commencement in May and an additional ceremony in August to celebrate finishing their degree. Courtesy of USF
By Brianna Rodriguez
Don’t put away those caps and gowns just yet.
The university announced on April 8 that it would offer two alternate commencement ceremonies for spring graduates: a virtual ceremony that will be available online during the weekend of May 9 — when spring graduation was originally planned — or an in-person ceremony alongside the summer graduates between Aug. 6 and 9.
So far, the delayed in-person ceremony seems to be the more popular choice among students.
As of April 16, 1,751 spring graduates responded to a survey saying they would attend the August ceremony. Of those, 1,520 were from the Tampa campus, 156 were from St. Petersburg and 75 were from Sarasota-Manatee, according to Adam Freeman, director of media relations at USF Tampa.
“Students have not been asked to choose one or the other,” Freeman said in an email. “The survey helps the university prepare for how many ceremonies might be needed in the summer, based on demand.”
The proposal was met with mixed reactions on Facebook. While some students were satisfied with the options provided, others still wanted a separate, in-person ceremony specifically for spring graduates.
Sarah Vinson, a senior biology major, looks forward to walking the stage in August to celebrate the end of her 14 years of school.
“As somebody that really went to school to just get my degree, I am not interested in the virtual option,” she said. “I am hopeful that we are able to walk in August and my family from out of state will be able to come and celebrate with me.”
Senior marketing major Laura Haan will also be attending the summer commencement ceremony.
“Having the opportunity to still walk across the stage would be great, no matter what semester it is,” Haan said. “Crossing the stage is the whole point of the ceremony. But I don’t need the school to separate it from summer graduation so I can still feel like I did it before those students.
“We’re all celebrating the same achievement,” she said. “They just better let us walk.”
Julia Anne Wingle, a senior marketing major, pushed for another alternative. She suggested a drive-in ceremony.
“As a graduating senior, I don’t want to attend a graduation that is not mine,” said Wingle. “I am not (in) the class of fall 2020. Their graduation is not ours.
“I honestly would feel a sense of intruding and imposing on those students by opting to attend.”
The email from the university says it will continue to update students as plans progress.
