Dear Worcester State community,
I write to inform you the Board of Trustees officially conferred degrees for the Class of 2020 at their meeting held Tuesday, June 2, and to provide an update on the commencement ceremonies planned for this summer.
The global pandemic has created logistical challenges for Worcester State University in planning its year-end celebrations. We rescheduled the 2020 undergraduate commencement ceremony to August 14, where we anticipated welcoming graduates, family, and friends to the DCU Center to witness the achievements of our students after four years or more of dedication and hard work. However, due to the changing nature of the public health crisis and the uncertainty of our ability to hold Commencement in the manner in which we are accustomed, we have made the difficult decision — in consultation with the senior class committee and informed by a senior class survey — to move the 2020 undergraduate commencement ceremony to a virtual event. While I know this is disappointing news, we believe this is the best alternative that will allow us to offer a celebratory event while protecting the health and well-being of all participants.
Our virtual undergraduate commencement ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, July 25, at 10 a.m. In the event that other obligations prevent participation on this designated day and time, the virtual ceremony will be archived and available for future viewing. We are planning to make this virtual commencement a memorable experience for all undergraduate students and families. I appreciate your resilience and continued patience as we work to finalize your culminating event with Worcester State University.
As it pertains to our graduate commencement ceremony, there is no change for this event, which is currently planned to take place on Friday, August 28 at 6 p.m. We will continue to monitor the state requirements concerning gathering sizes for events. While our graduate ceremony is smaller in scope and size than our undergraduate commencement ceremony, we will keep our graduate students apprised should the global pandemic require us to make adjustments.
Be well and take care. Please do not hesitate to email me directly at presidentsoffice@worcester.edu should you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Barry M. Maloney,
President
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I am trying to get my son his cap and gown. He missed the deadline. If I cannot attend his graduation I at least want photos. However I am having no luck trying to get the correct person to do so. I have been transferred all over the place.
I agree with comments above. I know this is a turbulent and terrible time and safety is a priority, however, I feel that there could have been more thought put in for WSU’s UGRAD Class of 2020. All of the time, hard work, financial sacrifices, paying for off-campus housing expenses that were not utilized and not even an opportunity for a picture on campus in cap & gown or anything?! To do for one group and not the other is really not fair. There are other University’s that are trying and planning to provide something besides online and are putting in more of an effort and reaching out to students to make them feel appreciated. Disappointed is an understatement!
There is nothing new I can add to the comments listed above but I agree how much your decision has hurt our family and our student graduate. This is a very poor decision you are making. As a former principal in Massachusetts I know there are easy ways to do things and a more difficult way to do the right thing. Worcester state has chosen the easy way out. I feel like you have made the choice to save funds, time and effort. Truly a disappointment.
I think other arrangements could have been made. I’d you can hold a graduate ceremony you could have held the undergrad. Maybe just by major and not all at one. On the field outside should have been better then watching your child graduate online!!! Some families made a huge financial sacrifice so there child could go to college. These students killed them selfs to play a sport and still be on the deans list the should be able to walk across some sort of stage to celebrate their accomplishments. Not only did you take it away from them but you basically say the the graduate program deserves it more. I’m So disappointed in the school.
You guy couldn’t host outside or at a bigger venue? U couldn’t limit friends and families?… you couldn’t do it by major on different days? This is ridiculous. Businesses are now opening and your shutting one of the most pivitol moments in our lives down?… so hurt by WSU.