Pictured Above: Julie Beach, an interdisciplinary social sciences major who graduated in spring, designed her graduation cap on Instagram.
Courtesy of Julie Beach on Instagram
By Catherine Hicks
Some graduates who saw their commencement canceled or postponed indefinitely because of the coronavirus pandemic are committed to a traditional USF St. Petersburg commencement, no matter how long they have to wait.
“(Commencement is) a rite of passage for degree earners and the light at the end of the tunnel after a very long and strenuous four-year road,” said Erin Loren, an integrated advertising and public relations major graduating this month. “I will be patiently waiting for my physical degree to come in the mail and forego(ing) the online commencement this year.”
Other students echoed this sentiment.
“I’m not interested in anything other than a formal ceremony where I would take part in a traditional commencement ceremony,” said William Tripplett, a May graduate majoring in history.
USF first canceled spring commencement on March 17, releasing a tentative plan to combine the spring and summer commencement ceremonies into a single larger one on Aug. 9.
As the summer progressed, Florida saw its coronavirus numbers reach thousands of new cases per day, becoming the national epicenter of the pandemic.
On June 4, the Florida Board of Governors canceled all summer commencement ceremonies, including those that combined spring and summer. It was announced soon after that there would be a virtual ceremony for summer commencement on Aug. 9.
A USF update on July 22 detailed “ways that graduates and families can interact with the university, and each other, via social media.”
Some of these included USF-designed virtual graduation filters and graduation caps, which can be accessed through Instagram, as well as a virtual stage crossing.
Despite the university’s efforts, many students chose not to participate in the virtual ceremonies, were left disappointed by the spring ceremony, or forwent a ceremony altogether.
“(A traditional commencement) means that I was dedicated and driven (enough) to achieve an academic standard that I had previously thought unattainable,” Tripplett said.
Tripplett returned to the academic environment following 24 years in the Navy, for the first time since 1986, when he enrolled at USF St. Petersburg. In spite of the obstacles, Tripplett drew on lessons he learned in the military to persevere and achieve academic recognition.
“I barely graduated high school. I think I was able to get out of there with a 1.6 GPA, so to graduate from USFSP with such a high level of academic success is a tremendous milestone in my personal life,” Tripplett said. “I’d always wanted to walk across that stage, in front of my wife and family.
“I look forward to participating in a traditional, in-person commencement when the university is able to safely do so. (An email) from the USF Commencement Office gives me hope this may happen as soon as December of 2020, as it states they plan to invite (graduates) to participate in a future traditional in-person commencement.”
Other students chose to take advantage of the online commencement ceremonies offered. They were disappointed, but understanding.
“It is supposed to be this rite of passage and a moment to be proud of,” said Julie Beach, an interdisciplinary social sciences major now enrolled in the Florida Studies master’s program. “I thought, finally, there was this one chance to celebrate how hard I have worked and how far I’ve come.”
When the university’s announcement of the cancellation came, “I felt heartbroken,” Beach said. “But honestly, more importantly, I (was) really glad it got canceled. I know I’m not feeling alone in (my sadness) but I think it really was the right thing to do.”
When the online commencement was announced for the spring graduates, Beach signed up and attempted to make the most of the situation.
“I thought we were supposed to record ourselves doing a little virtual stage walk, and that would be included in the ceremony,” Beach said. “It was really hard getting out of the house and (doing) something that was just for myself… I acted really silly for the video because I needed to do something weird. I got up early and watched the ceremony from my couch. I cried, froze my name for a moment, and felt… unsatisfied, to say the least. I felt depressed.”
Despite her experience with online commencement and its lack of intimacy, Beach expressed understanding of the situation the university finds itself in.
“I get that it would be super difficult to bring multiple semesters to a graduation at one time…,” Beach said. “I definitely don’t think there should be an in person ceremony for a long time, maybe not even the rest of this year. I don’t know how to fix this, but I know it is disappointing and sucks for all of us.”
Following the spring commencement, other students opted to accept the cancellation of commencement and move forward with their own celebrations.
“After working hard for four plus years for a degree, it was a goal to be able to walk across the stage and have that moment for myself. That was something I wanted for myself since starting college… it was definitely upsetting (when it was cancelled),” Loren said.
Loren chose not to participate in the summer commencement ceremony. She threw a small celebration with family and friends instead.
“I believe that while the online ceremony is, in a way, touching, it does take away from the excitement of having an actual, university run and sanctioned celebration and recognition of completion for students,” Loren said. “The virtual designing of a cap and gown and virtual walk across the stage is a bit much to me. You’d rather have the actual memories, but I can understand why it is being done, so that those graduating can have something.”
Loren said that USF could have done more with online commencement ceremonies by focusing on student relationships and accomplishments instead of the technological and social media aspects.
“I think they should make the online commencement more personable,” Loren said. “You’re online to begin with – so there are hardly time constraints or the need to be out of avenue. Let the graduates know that you feel for them, you understand why we are a bit deflated, and make our hard work known.
“The USF community is special and unique – let’s reflect that in upcoming online commencements.”
In a decided difference from the spring commencement, which had the names of graduates roll down the screen like a movie’s closing credits, and an attempt to bring the USF uniqueness to online commencements, the university is now having individual colleges host their own ceremonies, according to the July 22 update.
All of the ceremonies will include remarks from President Steve Currall, Provost Ralph Wilcox and Student Body President Claire Mitchell.
Each ceremony will be hosted by the individual college leaders, who will name each graduating student.
