Graduands make own fun after cancellation

The pandemic stole my graduation.

Many University of Otago students could claim that sense of grievance at the weekend after Covid-19 Alert Level 2 restrictions meant that a Dunedin Town Hall public graduation ceremony was cancelled.

About 370 people had been due to graduate in person on Saturday, but instead graduated in absentia. They might be able to attend a later celebration event, yet to be finalised.

However, despite some disappointment and frustration, many graduands surged on to campus on Saturday, and made their own fun, hiring their capping regalia as usual and taking photos of each other.

Many out-of-town families decided to come to Dunedin anyway, given they had already made air travel and accommodation bookings, if it was possible to fly, given Alert Level 3 restrictions in Auckland,

Clare Gorman (21) had been due to cross the town hall stage to graduate with a BSc in geology, and her father, Associate Prof Andrew Gorman, of the Otago geology department, would have been on stage to see her graduate.

Canadian-born Ms Gorman was disappointed not to be graduating in person, but appreciated the need for pandemic safety precautions.

"I’m frustrated but I feel safe," she said.

"I’m grateful that I live in a country that takes the proper precautions."

In place of the cancelled ceremony, Ms Gorman enjoyed a special morning tea, including pikelets and pancakes, with her father and family members.

She had begun her Otago studies by studying law, but after taking an "interest" paper in geology had become hooked and had greatly enjoyed studying the science, she said.

Later in the day, she hired capping regalia on campus and was photographed with her father.

BSc in psychology graduand Thomas Hislop (23), of Christchurch, saw plenty of positives in celebrating with his family.

"It’s more intimate with your family," he said.

Now a resident of Christchurch, he had driven south to Dunedin with his girlfriend Serena Percy, who said "we’re trying to make the most of it".

His mother, Coral Stuart, had initially been reluctant to head south because of the demands of work commitments in Te Awamutu and the possibility that air travel could be disrupted, making it hard for her to return.

However, he was delighted she had decided to come.

Some other graduands were having so much fun that one, Caty McKenzie, decided to dress as an alien, complete with an all-enveloping green onesie.

Graduating in person would have been "really fun" but she would still get a degree, she said.