Anti-Virus Measures Make Unforgettable Graduation Ceremony

Soochow University ran the one and only graduation ceremony this year on June 6^th implementing the prevention measures of COVID-19 as a limited number of graduates and teachers who were lucky enough to attend put on masks and kept social distance in so-called “crisscross seating” arrangement with at least 1.5 meters apart from each other.

Though the coronavirus pandemic has been ebbing in Taiwan, SCU is still cautious dealing with the commencement. Infrared temperature sensors plus four temperature-taking check-points were set up for every person entering the campus, and visitors needed to fill out the COVID-19 Health Checklist as well.

The pandemic had forbidden the possibility for every graduate to go on stage to receive their diplomas and experience the ritual of turning tassels. In response, the school administration arranged 250 seats with extended distance apart in the stadium of an original capacity of 600 people so that more students and parents could watch the live broadcast of the graduation ceremony and feel the atmosphere on the big screen. “It’s alright. We feel happy as long as we are together with our classmates no matter what,” some students said.

Despite the little pity this year, the University had tried to bring the hearts of Soochow students closer in other ways, such as the "SCUtogether" check-in activity. Students would have a chance to win an AirPods Pro if they checked in at any of the photo spots around the campus showing the school’s initialism “SCU” in the photos, and uploaded them to their Facebook or Instagram.