Dear Lehman College Colleagues:
Graduation is a special day for all of our more than 3,000 graduates and their families, friends and loved ones. This May, we will celebrate our Lehman graduates and all of their hard work virtually and we will celebrate it together. Our virtual commencement is scheduled for Thursday, May 27, at 10 a.m. on lehman.edu.
Updated guidance from the New York State Department of Health this week, which was announced by the Governor, may have raised hopes that we could change plans and have an in-person graduation, but unfortunately, that is not the case. The guidance emphasizes that while in-person ceremonies are possible with significant restrictions, virtual ceremonies, such as what we have been planning for, are encouraged, as they are the safest alternative for everyone. (You can read the detailed guidance here: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2021/04/doh_covid19_updatedgraduationguidance_041221.pdf)
I understand the continued disappointment over being unable to commemorate this significant milestone in person, but there are important reasons it is not possible this spring. Planning for an in-person graduation begins in October and soon thereafter, we secure the various rentals and contracts that are needed for a May ceremony. The Governor’s guidance has come well after those deadlines.
Just as critically, the Governor’s detailed guidance requires both a limited capacity for attendance at an in-person ceremony, and that all attendees need to show proof of either being fully vaccinated or of a recent negative COVID test. The latter requirement could create two groups of graduates – those who could come to campus to celebrate graduation and those who could not, which is unfair and inequitable. Vaccine distribution is still insufficient in many communities where Lehman graduates live, and we can’t be sure that will not still be the case in May.
I’m sorry we are unable to change our plans now, but I am also certain that we will have a jubilant celebration of Lehman graduates, their families and friends.
Daniel Lemons
