By Brandon Ferreira
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the graduation celebration of commencement is not going to be as it was for many, many years. Everyone is used to huddling in a massive crowd under tents, watching from afar, as students get called up to the stage to get their diploma. However, the virus has changed many things, with one of the government mandates being social distancing to stop the spread of the virus.
For this semester at Leeward Community College, commencement will be conducted via drive-through, with heavy monitoring by the Honolulu Police Department (HPD). It is set on May 14, at the college’s Pearl City campus, and goes from 10 a.m.. to 3 p.m. Students who wish to attend must have RSVP’d via https://commencement.hawaii.edu/leeward/2021/register/ by May 5, otherwise, they will not be able to attend.
During commencement, students must be wearing the college’s graduation cap and gown, both of which can be bought from the Leeward Community College Bookstore and its website for a total of $42.95 plus shipping and handling.
In order to ensure the safety of all involved, there are a variety of rules and guidelines put in place for the vehicles used. Students and guests must comply with them all, otherwise, they will have to be escorted from the campus and the event. These rules are displayed on the Student Life website and are as such:
There will only be one vehicle per graduate allowed, and the graduate must be inside the vehicle itself. The HPD will turn away any vehicle that is not following the guidelines.
The vehicle itself must be enclosed, with every passenger wearing seat belts inside the cab. Trucks with beds are allowed, however, guests are not permitted to use the truck bed as extra seating.
Two-wheeled vehicles, such as motorcycles and mopeds, are not permitted for the safety of all involved.
In order for the event to flow smoothly, the graduate must be a passenger on the right side of the vehicle, due to the fact that the stage will be on the right side.
All guests must stay in the vehicle itself, and only the graduate will be allowed to leave it when it is their turn to get on the stage and get their diploma folder.
The vehicles may be decorated, but all materials must be secure, and may not be left on the campus or on the side of the road. Noisemakers, balloons, and confetti are not allowed at all.
The HPD will also be monitoring the entrances and exits of the college, with the speed limit of the celebration being 5 mph. And it is very heavily recommended, for your safety and the safety of others, to keep one vehicle length between your vehicle and another.
For more information on participation in commencement alongside RSVP, visit the Student Life website at studentlife.leeward.hawaii.edu
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