April 8, 2021
Dear Class of 2021 Students and Families:
We write with an update on graduation ceremony plans for our remarkable Class of 2021.
After reviewing recent changes to L.A. County and California public health guidelines, along with the results of our surveys and direct conversations with Class of 2021 students and families, we have decided to hold both:
- An in-person, student-only, modified ceremony for the Class of 2021 on campus at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 15, 2021; and
- A multi-day, celebratory weekend scheduled for June 3-5, 2022, with the opportunity for students to stay in the residence halls, and connect with family, friends, faculty, coaches, and staff during events, including a full, additional ceremony open to all.
In the past few weeks, improvement to L.A. County’s COVID conditions recently moved us from the highest purple and red tiers to the current orange moderate tier. California also issued guidelines on outdoor graduation events. This allows us to move forward with hosting a physically-distanced ceremony for students this May, including a walk across the stage and individual photos on campus. However, these guidelines also impose a number of restrictions, such as not permitting handshakes, overnight campus stays, or hosting any other campus events or gatherings. We will broadcast the program live so that families and friends will be able to watch off campus. Those seniors who cannot attend will be honored virtually during the event as part of their class.
In deciding to move forward with this ceremony, we observed that over 70% of our seniors are currently in California. Yet, we were mindful that a number of seniors currently live out of state or abroad, and that they would not be able to make it back to campus for the May event. The virtualization of the program is only a modest mitigation of that loss, and we hope that each member of the class will join us in June 2022 so that we can all be together. For students with demonstrated financial need, CMC is committed to supporting your return to campus this May and next June.
Please note, California’s current travel advisory strongly discourages non-essential travel and requires unvaccinated, out-of-state travelers to self-quarantine for a full seven days and be tested three to five days after travel. Fully vaccinated people (more than two weeks after completing all required COVID vaccine shots) do not need to quarantine or test after domestic travel.
Watch your email this week for a special communication from the Office of Events with the registration link and more information on the May 15 event and travel support. Per state guidelines, only pre-registered attendees will be able to participate and late registrations/walk-ins cannot be accommodated. Moving forward, additional information and updates will be posted on the CMC Commencement website.
Finally, we will be mailing celebration boxes and regalia to you in advance, so please consider where you will be residing on or around May 5 when you complete your registration. We want to make sure you have your regalia in hand so that you can wear it for the May ceremony if you choose to participate in person or virtually.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through these uncertainties and limitations, and seek how best to honor CMC’s Class of 2021.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Many congratulations to each and all of you.
Very best,
Hiram