LSE has become the latest UK university to cancel in-person graduation ceremonies, saying that the School “[does] not believe that large-scale campus events will be possible for the foreseeable future” in an email to 2021 graduands and 2020 graduates. In-person ceremonies will not be rescheduled.
The events, planned for July 2021, were intended to honour graduates from the classes of 2020 and 2021, following the cancellation of last year’s ceremonies in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The School said that ceremonies would not be rescheduled “due to the long-lasting disruption caused by the pandemic and the logistical challenges it provides for our global community.” As a result, ceremonies will be held online, but LSE expressed hopes for a future “social celebration” for pandemic graduates as public health guidelines begin to allow for large gatherings and international travel.
The School further said that it was not currently accepting requests for graduation postponement, presumably to prevent students from re-scheduling their graduation rites to a year in which in-person events seem more likely.
It was not immediately clear what measures would be put in place for 2020 graduates, many of whom expected to be able to celebrate their graduation with in-person events this year.
In their message, LSE said that “[we] recognise that graduation is an important moment in your LSE journey, and one we want to celebrate with you. We are already busy planning alternative ways to mark your achievements, including a virtual graduation ceremony and a range of online activities and events for you to take part in this July. We’ll be in touch again with further details over the coming months and look forward to celebrating with you virtually in the summer.”
