Seniors protest lack of graduation ceremony
Four graduates marched on campus to protest the USC system wide decision to cancel in-person graduation ceremonies.
Though small in number, the organizers of the protest marched with a petition of “over five hundred” signatures from students and the community in favor of an alternative graduation ceremony, according to Cecilia Maddox, a fine arts graduate.
The four graduates — Cecilia Maddox, McKenzie Bray, Matthew Helms and Christopher Eddy — marched across campus with a stack of student statements and the petition from the Student Activity Center to the Pickens-Salley House to deliver the papers intended for Chancellor Sandra Jordan.
Their march continued toward the bridge commonly walked by graduating classes during the graduation ceremony to the Convocation center where they answered student questions from their Facebook livestream on the USCA Student Life page.
“We are trying to get [the Board of Trustees] attention,” said Bray,
On May 19, students received an email detailing the decision by the USC Board of Trustees to cancel face-to-face, “large scale” events with guidance from healthcare professionals.
“Therefore, the USC System has reluctantly made the decision to replace in-person ceremonies with virtual commencement exercises in August,” read the email.
Prior to this cancellation, students were polled by USCA administration to determine alternatives for graduating seniors.
“Overwhelmingly,” the results of the survey indicated seniors wanted an in-person ceremony, according to Director of News and Information, Leslie Hull-Ryde,
Ahmed Samaha, vice chancellor of student affair, made a statement regarding student outcry at the recent developments.
“We respect the perspective of our students and understand their disappointment. After thoughtful deliberation, system-wide leaders believe this is the best approach given all considerations. This decision pertains to all institutions within the University of South Carolina System,” wrote Samaha.
Hull-Ryde further expressed that “this was not a unilateral decision by our chancellor.”
As a result of August commencement being cancelled, administrators worked with city officials to “celebrate” graduating students, thus leading to the establishment of “Pacer Day” on May 6, the original date of commencement. Along with May 6 being recognized by the university and city, a video recognizing the senior class was posted on USCA’s website.
“It [Pacer Day] felt like a joke,” said Bray.
Maddox reiterated multiple student statements, “Anything would be better than nothing. There are options.”
“This university has made me who I am,” expressed Bray. “I don’t feel ignored at all by this university. I feel ignored by the Board of Trustees.”
The decision to resume face-to-face classes five days after the cancelled August 15 commencement date spurred student outcry on social media platforms.
“I don’t understand how graduation has been cancelled and now they’ve confirmed that face to face instruction will start 5 days after graduation was supposed to happen,” wrote Ashyln Calliham on the USCA Student Life Page.
Kayla Blume posted her sentiment on the issue as well. “The more student you have, the more money y’all get. I get it. It’s just business. But don’t forget we already paid y’all $40,000 plus some. For a piece of paper that still requires most of us to have 3+ years of experience before we can actually start working.”
Prior to the march, the organizers of the protest held a brief interview. “It feels like a money thing,” Maddox had stated, referring to the decision to resume in-person classes five days after the cancelled commencement date.
Hull-Ryde clarified this decision. “Flu season starts,” she stated. In order to maintain social distancing, students will return home to avoid a “compounded” case of flu and COVID-19.
The protesters addressed the Board of Trustees before they began marching.
“Don’t ignore us. We’re important,” stated Maddox.
According to Bray, they want to “inspire, not settle,” and encouraged other branches of the USC system to participate in protest as well.
“It needs to be done,” Maddox concluded.
