The university has officially agreed to move the diploma ceremony to a larger venue that will accommodate all of our families. I am grateful to each of you for your persistence in advocating for this change. We have successfully secured the space required to celebrate this occasion together.
July 12, 2017
Final supporters
We, the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) Undergraduate Class of 2017, petition the university to provide a larger venue for the undergraduate diploma ceremony so that AT THE VERY LEAST our immediate families can be present to witness our graduation. Graduating is a significant milestone. While the act of walking a few yards to shake a dean’s hand and receive a “piece of paper” seems unimportant, those few moments are profoundly symbolic. For the majority of us, graduating from college is the biggest accomplishment of our lives as some of us are the first to attend college in our families.
Furthermore, we have endured physical and mental stressors, health issues, and insecurities to be where we are today. Many of us had to work to pay for college and save money to pay back student loans. To have lasted four years at CWRU is no small feat and we could not have done it without the constant support (emotional and/or financial) of our families and friends. To tell them that they should travel hundreds to thousands of miles to watch us receive our diplomas from a TV screen in a separate room is utterly disrespectful.
As it stands, each student only has three guest tickets for the diploma ceremony, unless they won a ticket raffle, in which case they have four. Guests who do not have tickets can watch it televised at an alternate viewing location.
We are asking that the university "think beyond the possible" and accommodate our request, even if it means holding two ceremonies--one for the first half of the alphabet and one for the second half. The current situation would not only undermine us graduates, our supporters, and the momentous event itself, but also the respectability of this prestigious university.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
April 20, 2017
Reached 100 supporters
April 20, 2017
April 20, 2017
The number of signatures is rising steadily toward our milestone of 250. Please continue to circulate this request to ensure the administration understands the necessity of an expanded venue.
April 20, 2017
The momentum behind this request is building as we approach our first hundred signatures. Please direct your personal networks toward this page to ensure administrative attention remains fixed on our goal.
57 Comments
There are so many venue options in University Circle and throughout the City of Cleveland that are far superior to having commencement in Veale. Show off the city and get out of the bubble, CWRU. You're doing a disservice to your students and families.
For many blended families , the difficulties of being offered only 3 tickets for graduation are multiplied beyond traditional needs . With 2 sets of parents contributing to the collegiate dream , imperative be able to accommodate min 6 tiks
I completely agree! As a rising Senior, it baffles me that a school that prides itself for it's creativity and 'thinking beyond the possible' would have such an important ceremony in such a cramped area with limited options for loved ones to see their loved ones walking accoss the stage. We can do better!!
If my friend's high school can afford the Q for graduation, we certainly can as well. Even if this isn't remedied in time for our graduation, it needs to be fixed.
We have family coming from a far.. so that means that I'm going to have to have people waiting in the hotel and they will not be able to participate in this special day.. that's a shame!..
Graduation is more than a ceremony. .it is a recondition of accomplishment. .a moment to be proud of. ..to be shared by graduates and those they love and those who love them. A moment of glory for all.
Class of '16 Grad supporting our future
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The university has officially agreed to move the diploma ceremony to a larger venue that will accommodate all of our families. I am grateful to each of you for your persistence in advocating for this change. We have successfully secured the space required to celebrate this occasion together.
July 12, 2017
Final supporters
We, the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) Undergraduate Class of 2017, petition the university to provide a larger venue for the undergraduate diploma ceremony so that AT THE VERY LEAST our immediate families can be present to witness our graduation. Graduating is a significant milestone. While the act of walking a few yards to shake a dean’s hand and receive a “piece of paper” seems unimportant, those few moments are profoundly symbolic. For the majority of us, graduating from college is the biggest accomplishment of our lives as some of us are the first to attend college in our families.
Furthermore, we have endured physical and mental stressors, health issues, and insecurities to be where we are today. Many of us had to work to pay for college and save money to pay back student loans. To have lasted four years at CWRU is no small feat and we could not have done it without the constant support (emotional and/or financial) of our families and friends. To tell them that they should travel hundreds to thousands of miles to watch us receive our diplomas from a TV screen in a separate room is utterly disrespectful.
As it stands, each student only has three guest tickets for the diploma ceremony, unless they won a ticket raffle, in which case they have four. Guests who do not have tickets can watch it televised at an alternate viewing location.
We are asking that the university "think beyond the possible" and accommodate our request, even if it means holding two ceremonies--one for the first half of the alphabet and one for the second half. The current situation would not only undermine us graduates, our supporters, and the momentous event itself, but also the respectability of this prestigious university.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
April 20, 2017
Reached 100 supporters
April 20, 2017
April 20, 2017
The number of signatures is rising steadily toward our milestone of 250. Please continue to circulate this request to ensure the administration understands the necessity of an expanded venue.
April 20, 2017
The momentum behind this request is building as we approach our first hundred signatures. Please direct your personal networks toward this page to ensure administrative attention remains fixed on our goal.
57 Comments
I graduated last year and the ceremony was a disaster. I had family that were forced to wait outside IN THE RAIN before even going into the televised location. Ridiculous.
There are so many venue options in University Circle and throughout the City of Cleveland that are far superior to having commencement in Veale. Show off the city and get out of the bubble, CWRU. You're doing a disservice to your students and families.
For many blended families , the difficulties of being offered only 3 tickets for graduation are multiplied beyond traditional needs . With 2 sets of parents contributing to the collegiate dream , imperative be able to accommodate min 6 tiks
I completely agree! As a rising Senior, it baffles me that a school that prides itself for it's creativity and 'thinking beyond the possible' would have such an important ceremony in such a cramped area with limited options for loved ones to see their loved ones walking accoss the stage. We can do better!!
If my friend's high school can afford the Q for graduation, we certainly can as well. Even if this isn't remedied in time for our graduation, it needs to be fixed.
We have family coming from a far.. so that means that I'm going to have to have people waiting in the hotel and they will not be able to participate in this special day.. that's a shame!..
Graduation is more than a ceremony. .it is a recondition of accomplishment. .a moment to be proud of. ..to be shared by graduates and those they love and those who love them. A moment of glory for all.
Class of '16 Grad supporting our future
Share Petition
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I graduated last year and the ceremony was a disaster. I had family that were forced to wait outside IN THE RAIN before even going into the televised location. Ridiculous.