Nov
Live Campaigns: Supergraduation 2022
Campaign update from Union President, Ben Dolbear
Here at SUSU, we have been working closely alongside colleagues in the University’s Student Engagement team to ensure that next summer’s graduation is an unforgettable experience for all participating graduands. This is because we know that each graduating cohort had their student experience negatively impacted by restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic, and deserve a special moment in the spotlight to celebrate their personal resilience and academic commitment.
Graduation will take place at St. Mary’s Stadium between 20 – 22 July 2022, and each ceremony, though planning remains in relatively early stages, promises to be larger in scale than any graduation our University has ever seen. SUSU has secured diverse representation on the core Graduation Project Committee, as well as all relevant ‘task and finish’ groups, which oversee the operational planning and delivery of graduation.
We are using our voices to spearhead two student-focused campaigns. The first focuses on accessibility: we want to ensure that all students have equal access to the venue during their ceremony and that nobody experiences barriers, perceived or tangible, to their attendance. This means that we will use our voices in all relevant forums to ensure that students and guests with disabilities are considered at each step of planning, and that the experiences of neurodiverse attendees – with particular regard to the sensory and spatial experience – is optimal.
The second centres on easing the financial burden placed on graduands. We know that the cost of graduation – including the rental of gowns and purchasing of photographs – can be intimidating for students, particularly for those from low-income backgrounds. We are therefore asking that the University covers these costs for graduands from disadvantaged backgrounds, in a bid to widen participation and ensure equitable access for all.
Graduation Day is the most important part of the university experience, and we are committed to ensuring that all graduands in the 2020, 2021, and 2022 cohorts can benefit from a truly unforgettable experience with their family, friends, and course mates.
Ben Dolbear
Union President 2021-22
