Plymouth University receives backlash from Class of 2020 graduates and sympathisers whilst Class of 2021 attend coveted graduation ceremony.
As Graduation Week gets into full swing, so does the angst that has been resparked in the Class of 2020 graduates. A zoom call serving as a graduation ceremony occured earlier this year.
Celebration just as good?
The Class of 2020 was given a promise that there will be an in-person celebration on the University’s website.
After the university started posting about this week’s graduation ceremonies, disgruntled students and sympathisers mostly wished well, whilst raising their concerns.
Public Outcry over Perceived Unfairness
On Instagram, a few shared jokes whilst asking the University of Plymouth whether the Class of 2020 will get their graduation ceremony on the Hoe.
Meanwhile, Facebook hosted much more of the uproar.
This post accrued more than 120 comments, with none of them being responded to by the University. Some debated whether an online graduation was “better than nothing” or simply just “not the same”.
People were very vocal about their frustration their feeling that they’ve missed out.
You should have added 2020 cohort on to this
Jodie Louise Stephenson commenting on this post.it’s a bit rubbish that we haven’t had a graduation where some of us went and worked early for the NHS…
Distrust and disappointment in a “celebration” to come in 2022 is clear amongst those commenting on the celebratory posts. It has been dubbed that it wouldn’t be the same, and that a celebration isn’t good enough. Some agree that graduates deserve more after some entered the NHS early to help alleviate pressure during the pandemic.
Congratulations to the Class of 2021, the class that spent half of it’s studies during a global pandemic. Commiserations Class of 2020. Many think 2020 graduates should get an in-person ceremony, or an opportunity to have a share of the spotlight soon.
What can you do?
Contact the University of Plymouth to make your complaints known.
UPSU have stated this week, on it’s Instagram story, that they’re trying to work with the University to come to a suitable arrangement. The Sabbatical Officers are still attending the graduations and giving speeches. No protest or further public announcements have been announced by UPSU.