In the coming weeks, America’s Class of 2021 will be graduating in what has been the second year impacted by the pandemic. Although how to effectively and safely conduct a ceremony is considered differently per state, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) still recommends against large crowds and gatherings. For many colleges and universities, this means outdoor commencement ceremonies, strict no-guest-allowed policies, or other capacity limitations. A number of schools are even offering virtual commencements, similar to what the Class of 2020 had to endure at the pandemic’s outbreak. Some schools are even conducting drive-through ceremonies, another common celebration tactic for birthdays and anniversaries that took place during COVID lockdowns.
Colleges and universities have been forced to consider the safest and most cost-effective options for their students and faculty, while many have yet to release what campus will look like in the fall academic year. While parent-less ceremonies or Zoom live streams is definitely not how Class of 2021 envisioned the end to their four years, students remain hopeful and optimistic about the end of the pandemic in sight.