Class of 2020 graduates from Southern Cross University (SCU) - forget about throwing your mortarboard into the air and grouping together for a photo beside your class mates. SCU has made the decision to postpone all graduations for the remainder of 2020. 

The reality of not having a traditional graduation ceremony after years of study has come as a blow to some students.

SCU student, Sarah, was due to graduate from her three year degree in health at the end of 2020, and said she was “blindsided” and thought “don’t take our graduation from us” when the university sent her a message saying there would be no group ceremony.

“You look forward to it over the whole degree –the ceremony is an important marker after you put so much time and effort into it,” she said.

“It’s a symbol that you’ve finally done it and you are proud and celebrating alongside your cohort and with your family, wearing the cap and gown.”

The decision to stop graduation ceremonies comes after months of Covid-19 social distancing restrictions.

In a statement made to The Lismore App, SCU stated “although social distancing restrictions are being wound back, we do not expect to be able to deliver graduations at sufficient scale to provide the sort of experience that students and their families want”. 

“This decision does not disadvantage graduates’ employment opportunities. We are producing testamurs for those who have fulfilled the requirements of their courses.”

Sarah said she had been “holding out hope that things were calming” and that the ceremony would still go ahead, but yesterday she received a survey from the university asking her for feedback about the way forward. 

“I know restrictions mean we would have to have limited numbers in a real ceremony,” she said, “I was hoping they would change their mind – why not do smaller ceremonies with people and academics from individual courses.

“I don’t think they are looking at it in a solution focussed manner.”

Instead, SCU are planning an online graduation for those who chose to take part in it.

Sarah said SCU’s solution was for graduates to pay $50 to hire a gown and cap and get their photo taken, which would then be uploaded as part of an online powerpoint ceremony, which would cost another $50. To buy the photos was offered as another, extra cost.

“I know SCU has money problems but I’m disappointed they are using this as an opportunity to make money out of us,” she said.

“I won’t participate in an online ceremony and I want more information – I’d prefer the university to consider holding off the ceremony until next year when we can hopefully do it in person again.

SCU stated that graduation ceremonies have, in recent years, been held three times at the Lismore campus, in April/May, September and December. 

Graduation events are also held at the Gold Coast and Coffs Harbour campuses and in Sydney and Melbourne.

Note: Sarah is not the graduate’s real name. She requested to use a pseudonym so as not to influence her chances of getting a graduate position after she finishes her studies.