St Andrews University's summer graduation ceremonies postponed

Principal, Professor Sally Mapstone wrote to students and staff on Friday informing them of the decision.

She said that the Scottish Government's routemap out of lockdown made it clear that large indoor events, like a graduation ceremony, would not be able to take place in June.

She wrote: “Under continuing social distancing rules, which will remain in place in Scotland until at least the end of summer, the capacity of our graduation venue would be reduced from 1000 to 100 people, quite apart from the travel restrictions and mandatory quarantine which would impact on so many graduands and their families.

“We have considered every possible way to stage graduations this summer in a manner which is as fair and as inclusive as possible to all of our Classes of 2021, and 2020, and which takes account of the demanding logistics of organising graduation, which require months of advanced planning. We have consulted with and listened to our student leaders, and we have had to conclude that it simply cannot be done within the law.

“I appreciate that this news is particularly hard on our graduating Class of 2021, and more so on our Class of 2020 whose ceremonies last year were cancelled during the first wave.

“It will be all the harder for some to accept and understand when the media is reporting that music festivals will go ahead, and that the UK Government has predicted that restrictions will be over by 21 June.”

Professor Mapstone said that the ceremonies will take place when health conditions allow, and at a time when they can reunite and celebrate with classmates, friends, and tutors in St Andrews.

She said that the university has provisionally set aside three weeks in June 2022 for these celebrations with the Class of 2022, 2020 and 2021.

She added: “We still hope to be able to proceed as planned with our Graduation ceremonies in December this year, but will keep this under review.

“More broadly, senior colleagues and I continue to work through the implications of the exit routemap for our students and staff for the remainder of this semester, our activities over the summer, and for the coming of the new academic year in September.”