Get tassels, corsages ready
State allows schools to organize safe proms and commencements
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Monday announced that the state will allow commencement events for 2021, including ceremonies seating more than 500 guests.
While virtual and drivethrough ceremonies are encouraged, updated guidance from the state Department of Health allows K-12 schools and higher education institutions to organize indoor and outdoor graduations with strict capacity limits that vary based on the scale and location of the event.
“We hope schools have graduation ceremonies. We just want them to be safe and we want them smart,” Cuomo said during a press briefing.
College students missed out on the rite of passage last year, as many commencement events were scheduled for May 2020, just two months into the coronavirus pandemic.
The state adjusted its guidance for high school students, enabling districts to hold inperson graduation ceremonies that were capped at 150 attendees including graduates and staff to prevent the spread of COVID -19. The commencement events were required to take place outdoors. Some high schools allowed students to accept their diplomas in mini ceremonies of 150 people at one time. Others held drivethrough events.
According to the state’s updated guidance, personal celebrations in the home must be capped at 10 guests. Small commencement events, limited to 100 guests indoors and 200 guests outdoors, have a capacity limit for the venue of 50 percent.
At medium and large scale events — defined as having more than 100 attendees indoors and 200 attendees for outdoor events — guests are required to provide a negative COVID -19 test or proof of vaccination.
Medium scale venues, such as banquet halls and performance spaces, can be filled up to 33 percent, according to the guidance. Events with more than 500 attendees may take place in stadiums or arenas with a capacity limit of 20 percent.
Guests must be seated six feet apart and wear masks regardless of their vaccination status. The state also allowed proms to take place this year with some restrictions on serving food and dancing.
Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities President Drew Bogner applauded the state’s “common-sense guidance” that will allow commencement ceremonies to take place this year.
“Our students have worked hard to overcome obstacles over the past year and they deserve the chance to have their achievements recognized and to celebrate this milestone safely alongside family and peers,” he said. “The state’s tiered, venue-based guidelines will make possible safe, meaningful events for the class of 2021.”