To the Case Western Reserve University community,
Commencement marks the culmination of years of hard work and dedication in classrooms, labs, clinicals, internships, extracurriculars and so much more. Though this always is one of our favorite events of any year, we are especially looking forward to this year’s festivities, as many members of the undergraduate Class of 2024 had their high school graduation ceremonies canceled at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is an exceptional time for our soon-to-be alumni and their families, and we are eager to celebrate alongside them. While we are aware some individuals may have plans to disrupt these events, we are committed to ensuring this day remains centered on our outstanding graduates and their achievements.
To that end, we want to share general guidelines and expectations for ensuring commencement and other end-of-semester events are safe, welcoming and civil environments for all.
First and foremost: As an institution of higher education, Case Western Reserve is committed to the critical importance of public discourse and freedom of expression. However, our freedom of expression policy also notes that the university “may reasonably regulate the time, place, and manner of expression to ensure that it does not disrupt the ordinary activities of the university.”
As noted Friday, all gatherings and events related to freedom of expression, regardless of perspective or subject, taking place between now and May 20 on university property will require reservations that are approved in writing by the interim vice president for student affairs (via studentaffairs@case.edu) to ensure safety and adherence to policy. Participation in an unapproved activity on Case Western Reserve property—including protest during commencement—will result in referral to the relevant conduct process, even for those scheduled to graduate.
Our top priority is always the safety of our community, and actions or language—including decorations on mortar boards—that make others feel threatened or intimidated will not be tolerated.
In addition, we are updating our security measures for Wednesday’s convocation events as well as all diploma ceremonies including:
- Metal detectors, bag screenings and visual inspection of clothing capable of concealing prohibited items upon entry to convocation and all diploma ceremonies (please note: graduates will need to remove mortar boards to proceed through metal detectors);
- A range of prohibited items—including signage, banners and flags, and bags larger than 5”x8”x1”;
- Ticketing for convocation and all diploma ceremonies held in Veale Convocation, Recreation and Athletic Center and the Maltz Center for Performing Arts; and
- ID checks (CWRU ID or other photo identification, e.g., driver’s license) for all attendees at convocation events and for graduating students at all diploma ceremonies.
The university also has implemented an opt-in emergency messaging system for guests; if an incident occurs about which the university needs to send an alert, guests who opt in (by texting “CWRUGrad2024” to 67283) will receive the same emergency message as our students, faculty and staff.
University staff and faculty members also have been trained on how to minimize disruptions, if needed, and quickly restore the event’s focus to our graduates’ accomplishments.
We are committed to maintaining an environment that ensures our Class of 2024 can be honored with a celebration befitting their incredible achievements. We hope you’ll join us in recognizing them.
Sincerely,
Eric W. Kaler
President
Joy K. Ward
Provost and Executive Vice President