Cardiff University have confirmed that students will receive individual recognition at their graduation this summer after original plans to hold mass ceremonies at the Principality Stadium drew widespread criticism. Last year, it was announced that ceremonies for the classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022 would take place at the 73,000 stadium in Cardiff in July, having been postponed for the last two years due to the pandemic.
Graduates were told that they would not cross the stage at the "unique" evening ceremonies and would instead "stand and celebrate as a school from your place on the pitch," missing out on the individual recognition that those in preceding years received. Students are also set to be seated in front of the main stage area while guests watch from the stands. Read more stories from across Cardiff here.
Following the announcement, a petition was launched by students at the university to "give graduates the graduation they deserve". Now signed by more than 5,000 people, it reads: "If you've read the graduation schedule you'll have noticed that not only do we not get to do the one staple of graduation – going up onto the stage to receive your award – but instead of being congratulated individually we'll be congratulated amongst the entire block of our individual schools (i.e. likely 1k+). This is not standard, and it's more Cardiff going out of their way, as usual, to diminish the student experience."
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The switch to the Principality Stadium came despite other universities sticking largely to their traditional ceremony format while addressing the large backlog of graduates. The University of Manchester has spread its graduation over nearly three weeks, while Swansea University has staggered their graduation days to ensure each school was given an individual ceremony. You can see the best pictures from the first ever university graduation ceremonies at the new Swansea Arena here.
Following the backlash from students, the university has confirmed it has made slight changes to its graduation plans, with students now also set to take part in separate school recognition events, where their name will be read out and their achievements applauded by attending guests. The planned ceremonies at the Principality Stadium will still be taking place, starting at 6pm.
In an email sent out to students by Claire Morgan, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Education and Student Experience at the university, she told those graduating that the university have "listened, understand and are committed to responding to your feedback". She added that while the ceremonies posed a "huge logistical challenge," the university were "determined to put things right".
"Many of you have told us that you are not happy about the format of the day’s event. You told us that you were disappointed that you would not be given the opportunity to cross the stage as part of the day’s celebrations," Ms Morgan said. "Graduating three cohorts in one year has presented huge logistical challenges, mostly based on the scale of such events, with an estimated 13,500 students and 51,000 guests joining us over the course of Graduation week. As our planning developed there were inevitable restrictions being placed on the event in the stadium, including timing and number of events.
"In my initial response to your concern, I made it clear that we were still finalising the format of the day’s event(s) – and that is still the case. However, I am now able to say: that we have listened, we understand, and we are committed to responding to your feedback. Since receiving your feedback, I have chaired several meetings of the Graduation Steering Group, which includes members of the Cardiff University Students’ Union, looking at the various options. We agree that we want to be able to recognise your individual achievements.
"As a result, I can confirm there will be an opportunity for all graduates to be personally recognised in your cap and gown and receive the individual recognition which you’ve told us is so important to you. This will happen at School recognition events. At these events you will now get your chance to walk, your name will be read out, and for your guests to applaud your achievements. This element of the day will take place on University campus and, in line with previous years, you will be able to bring two guests to the event. Your student officers have been involved in the discussions and collecting student feedback, and they are supportive of the inclusion of individual recognition elements now being reintroduced into the day.
Ms Morgan said that the ceremonies at the Principality Stadium remained the "centrepiece" of the graduation week, but additional events would be taking place around the main university campus. She added that the specific details of each ceremony were still being finalised.
"Whilst we know some of you would have preferred to have this particular moment at the Principality Stadium – given the numbers and restrictions, this was not possible," she said. "We do hope that you will recognise that we are doing everything we can to introduce this essential element back into your day. The Principality Stadium remains the centrepiece of Graduation 2022 where we will officially celebrate your award.
"As we’d already planned, we will also run celebrations in our Graduation Gardens, in and around the University main campus - an informal space to catch up with friends, fellow graduates and staff members from your time at University. The dates advertised in the email of the 4th March will remain the same. We are now working on this additional element in consultation with Schools, staff, and student representatives. It’s not possible to speak to every individual student or graduate, but we can assure you that your feedback has been heard and we will continue to work in consultation with your elected student representatives.
"Graduation is so special. The campus comes to life, the city buzzes, families, friends, and staff unite to celebrate your academic achievements; this is why we are determined to put things right. So please bear with us whilst we finalise all the details, which means that formal invites with the specific details of your ceremony will be slightly delayed. It is important to stress that this will be a day of celebration not just a ceremony - a full schedule of activities culminating in the formal one-off event at the Principality Stadium which remains the focus.
"Formal invites will now be issued in late April or early May, and we would encourage to you sign up to the relevant elements. More information will also be available on our dedicated portal and our Graduation webpages will be updated in the next few weeks. I hope you find this update helpful, and you can see the significant efforts we are going to make this day special for you, your family, and friends. I, and all my University colleagues look forward to seeing you and your guests in July."
