Principality Stadium event frustrates students who would prefer a traditional ceremony
PLANS for Cardiff University’s first in-person graduation ceremonies since before the pandemic have disappointed some students.
Traditionally, graduates each have their names called as they walk across the stage of a venue such as St David’s Hall.
This year, three days of ceremonies will be held at the Principality Stadium from July 20 to 22, to celebrate this year’s graduates, and those of the two previous years who did not have an in-person ceremony at all.
But graduates will stand in their allocated seats to be congratulated as a course year group as opposed to individually.
Ex-students expressed their disappointment on Facebook, sparking a petition for Cardiff graduates to receive the graduation they believe they deserve. So far it has received 3,451 signatures.
Molly Govus, a 21-year-old English Language and Literature graduate, of Cathays, created the petition.
“I’m completely disappointed, and extremely underwhelmed. I don’t think the ceremonies will give independent students their special moment that is so sought after once the university experience is over.”
Other UK universities have retained traditional ceremonies. The University of Exeter has allocated five days per graduating cohort totalling over 45 graduation ceremonies over those weeks.
Swansea University has staggered its days so each subject is given an individual ceremony, and the University of Manchester has spread its graduation across two-and-a-half weeks.
Miss Govus continued: “Other universities have managed to make their graduates feel special. Why can’t we feel the same?
“We may just be talking about the moment of walking across the stage, but for some people, that moment is everything. It’s the moment we’ve been holding our breath for. To walk across a stage and smile and say ‘you know what, that was hard, but I’ve done it.’”
The classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022 have been affected by strikes, Covid and the subsequent shift to online learning.
Cardiff University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Claire Morgan said: “We have been open and transparent that there will be changes to the format of our ceremonies. The format and timings were also discussed with student representatives throughout the planning process.
“The sheer size and scale of numbers means that it would be difficult to keep some elements of our traditional ceremonies. I can assure you this decision was not taken lightly, and we are extremely conscious of the need for personal and individual recognition.
“I can assure you that Cardiff’s graduation events will be bigger and better than ever before and will include individual photograph opportunities in the Stadium, live music, and entertainment.
“There will also be individual school-level celebration events around Cathays Park prior to the formal event at the Principality Stadium which will be an opportunity for students to celebrate with university academics and fellow graduates.”
Former Cardiff History student, James Moffatt, 22 of Exeter, said: “The graduation plans, to me, feel shambolic.
““At the least, the university should have staggered ceremonies over the day, so departments could have separate graduations and the ceremonies felt more intimate like at Cardiff Met or Swansea.”
The official university invitation states: “If you are due to graduate twice, for example with an undergraduate and postgraduate award, you will be invited to attend both ceremonies and can choose to attend one or both.”
English Literature graduate, Sian Hopkins, 22, of Cathays said: “The plans have made me feel really unimportant. I am going to have two graduations, one for undergraduate degree and the other for masters; but even Cardiff University saying that you don’t have to attend both as if it’s a chore and not a celebration makes me so angry.
“We couldn’t control the pandemic and we missed out on so much, yet we are still being punished for that. I think the lack of understanding and empathy from the university is really shocking.”
President of Cardiff University Students’ Union Hannah Doe said: “Students have shown great resilience throughout the pandemic and what better way to celebrate overcoming many challenges and achieving great successes than coming together in person in the stadium.
“The Principality Stadium already holds a special place in students’ hearts as the home venue for the Varsity fixture – and now for many, it will be the final celebration of their time at Cardiff University.”
