Caltech Students Reject Compromise, Continue Campaign for In-Person Graduation Ceremony

More than 500 Caltech students have signed a petition calling for an in-person graduation ceremony this summer and say they aren’t satisfied with a compromise offered by the school to have a limited gathering of 300 students on-campus to view the virtual commencement ceremony.

In response to student outcry over the lack of an in-person ceremony, Caltech announced the plan to allow 300 fully vaccinated students to watch the ceremony from the prestigious campus. The university also invited graduates to return to take part in the next planned full in-person ceremony in the fall.

“This commencement celebration will look different from our traditional ceremony. It will be restricted to graduating students only, it will be staged on the athletic field, and it will be centered around the screening of our virtual ceremony,” Calteh said in a written statement. A photo area was to be provided for individual and group pictures.

“We have heard very clearly from our student leaders and representatives that what is most valued this June is the opportunity for our graduating students to return to campus and to safely gather with one another to celebrate their achievements,” the statement said. “To that end, we are planning an event that celebrates our graduates in a warm and engaging way, in alignment with local health protocols, and in accord with our commitment to protecting the health and well-being of the entire community.

“At the same time, we understand that not all of our graduates will be able to gather for a June in-person event,” the statement continued. “Those who watch the ceremony remotely will be included fully in our celebration. Commemorating this milestone in an equitable way for all of our graduates, at the undergraduate and advanced degree levels, remains an Institute priority.”

The student petition, circulating online at change.org/p/caltech-administration-give-seniors-their-commencement-d18ce285-e46e-4d1d-ae3c-49da8ca3a73c, had garnered 505 signatures as of Tuesday.

“A full year of virtual Caltech has taken a toll on students mentally, physically, and most of all, emotionally,” according to the petition. “We accepted the reality of prioritizing health and safety, but still held out hope for the last chance to be together with the people we have struggled and bonded with throughout college.

“Considering the vaccine progress and Caltech’s small size, we believe that an in-person commencement is not only doable, but absolutely necessary. This past year has been disheartening; please give us the chance to celebrate as a Caltech community for the last time,” it said. “While we understand that not all decisions are fully within the scope of Caltech, we strongly urge Caltech to communicate with Pasadena and L.A. County to make the appropriate arrangements to make a commencement happen. The lack of effort of Caltech to advocate for an in-person celebration in light of new, expanded health and safety guidelines is a deprioritization of students.”

The state is scheduled to fully reopen under the Blueprint for a Safer Economy on June 15, just four days after the scheduled virtual ceremony on June 11, the students pointed out. And summer housing at the school is slated to open the following Monday.

Safety could be preserved by separating undergraduate and graduate ceremonies, according to the petition. 

“Knowing that other L.A. [C]ounty universities like USC are having in-person ceremonies, the seniors feel as though Caltech administration does not care enough about its students to even attempt to schedule an in-person graduation,” the petition stated.

Caltech Engineering student Nayla Abney said it seemed “a collective majority” of the senior class was displeased with Caltech’s decision.

“We are simply asking to walk across the stage when our name is called, and Caltech is not willing to listen to its student body,” she said.

In talking with administrators, “Their response to these statements were that you have to look at it as additive risks, and our graduation ceremony was a risk that could be eliminated,” according to Abney. “My response was to ask if their senior class wasn’t important enough to take this seemingly small risk.”

With respect to the planned on-campus event on June 11, “It is important to understand that this is not a graduation ceremony. This is a watch party of our virtual graduation,” she added.

“The only thing that the graduating seniors are asking for is a stage to walk across when our name is called. We are not even asking for visitors of this momentous occasion, when plenty of other larger schools are allowing family members to attend,” Abney said. “This in-person walking commencement in June is our only true chance to have a graduation that will be normal as possible considering the circumstances.”

In a letter responding to students’ concerns, administrators said the decision to do away with a traditional ceremony in June was not taken lightly.

“We carefully considered and consulted with many on the matter, including students, faculty, staff, Caltech community members, and public health authorities,” the letter said. “…we reiterate our commitment to this plan that we feel best supports our entire community.”

Catech’s virtual commencement ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on June 11 and streamed online at commencement.caltech.edu.