GRADUATION
CSU explores alternatives for a spring commencement ceremony
O
n March 18, a CSU Announcements email informed students that the university decided to cancel the “traditional” commencement ceremony for spring 2020 graduates. CSU released this information amid the transition to online learning due to the coronavirus pandemic. The university made this decision with consideration of CDC guidelines as well as the University Systems of Georgia’s decision to close all 26 Georgia institutions, announced via CSU Announcements on March 16. “The cancelation of the face to face ceremony actually shocked me at first,” said graduating senior and English creative writing major, Isaiah Givan, who was not fully prepared for that outcome. Givan further stated that “I went through a stage of brief sadness, even though I knew that the cancellation was a possible outcome, because my graduation wasn’t just for me but also for my family.” Graduating senior marketing major, Austin Stallings, wasn’t originally planning on attending graduation, but decided to follow through this past March. “I was looking at this ceremony as a chance to reflect and be proud of myself for following through with my education and not giving up after all of the trials and tribulations I faced during my experience at CSU,” stated Stallings who will no longer get
6 | The Saber | SPRING 2020
this opportunity in the way he had hoped for. President Markwood’s message that followed the cancelation announcement stated that the university would be looking into alternatives to a “traditional” commencement ceremony, and welcomed student suggestions. However, at that time no link was
“The atmosphere, the energy, the excitement of graduating with your friends and living it up one last time -
all of that isn’t there anymore.” included or platform mentioned as a place for students to make their suggestions. Another message from President Markwood on March 20 offered a sentence of address with Markwood stating, “You will soon receive information on how you can share your ideas on creative alternatives to commencement ceremonies.” Three days later the Cougar Connection bulletin board email included a flyer stating the university
was exploring the idea of a virtual ceremony or possibly postponement of a face-to-face ceremony, and called on students to weigh in on the matter with an email link as well as social media platforms offered as a way to voice their opinions. An update from Markwood on March 24 briefly stated that the university had “received numerous responses from our students for ideas on creative alternatives to traditional commencement ceremonies in May,” relaying that they hoped for another update in the next few days. Seventeen days later, on Apr. 10, a message from president Markwood was sent out to seniors who would be graduating as well as faculty and staff informing of the university’s decision for an alternative. Their plan includes “an online live ‘conferring of degrees’” as well as a “plan to host [an] in person graduation ceremony on August 8, 2020.” Stallings, feels that while CSU is trying to remain connected, they are blasting too many emails to keep up with. “I feel like the graduation emails are getting drowned out with the piles of emails,” stated Stallings. Givan believes the University is working in a timely manner considering the fluidity of the situation, stating that “I honestly don’t see anything else they could do considering things are changing on a daily basis.” The latter of the alternatives is offered pending the UGA approval PAIGE ADAMS
