Emerson institutes safety precautions for in-person graduation

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Courtesy Emerson College

Emerson’s 2010 Commencement ceremonyy

By Alec Klusza, Assistant News Editor

Emerson announced its in-person commencement at Fenway Park will feature socially distanced pods for students and their guests, as well as mandatory mask-wearing, according to an email sent on Friday evening.

Students and their guests will receive scheduled arrival times, ensuring they arrive at the ballpark at least 90 minutes prior to the ceremony. All attendees must be symptom-free on the day of the event, the email said. Emerson is allowing students to bring up to two guests, who must all sit together in a pod of three for the entire program—with the exception of restroom use.

Students will not be allowed to walk across the stage or shake hands with President M. Lee Pelton, but instead will have their name and “graduate names” slide projected onto the jumbotron. 

Caps and gowns are offered for purchase, though the college is not requiring regalia. 

The City of Boston has the authority to cancel the event if COVID-19 conditions were to warrant it.