Daughter unable to attend her graduation ceremony as it is full. Advice please

[mildlyfried]

My daughter has just finished a three year Bsc (hons) at a major University. She has been advised that she cannot attend her graduation ceremony as it is full and she is on a waiting list. All the other ceremonies are at capacity too. She has been told that if a place does not become available then she can either try to graduate in November without her friends or have her certificate posted to her for a £10 fee.

To say we are upset and disappointed is an understatement. Has anyone ever heard of this before? I did not think a University would do this and would make sure they had enough graduation days/dates for all their students. The students have paid tens of thousands in fees and slogged for three years to be denied the chance to get their degree in a ceremony with their family watching.

Is there anyone out there with any advice? maybe someone who works at a University? I'm tempted to go to the local paper and tell the story so other students know what to expect at this University. Students should be told when they are choosing the University that they are not guaranteed a graduation.

Thanks for reading

Get the certificate posted and take her out for a nice lunch. Graduation ceremonies are boring as hell.

Never heard of this. Usually you graduate by faculty. I don't think you graduate with your friends but I'd expect her to graduate with others on her course.

Wow.. is all I can say. Never heard of this

Thanks for your responses. Her friends are on her course with her.

They have offered a later date for graduation though? Not sure what the local paper will do, she'll get awarded her degree anyway whether or not she goes to a ceremony. Graduation is more for the parents imo. It's not a day for being with friends.

This is unacceptable in my view. They know how many students are likely to be graduating and they should plan their capacity accordingly.

I assume that she didn't miss any deadlines for confirming attendance etc?

Was she late in applying for a place? This does sound unusual.

No not heard ot that. My dd was is graduating this summer having just finished her degree, but was originally offered a date in spring 2027 to have the ceremony .
She and friends managed to get a date this summer.

They usually have a limit on guests but that's different..

They have suggested a possible graduation in November but her course friends are all graduating in July.

Unless of course they were warned that summer graduation would be limited and that late responders would have to wait until November?

That's a real shame and I agree that it would be better practice for the university to ensure sufficient capacity for anyone who wants to graduate at the "right" time to do so. I don't think the local paper is the right forum though - have you tried asking for advice on The Student Room (or whatever forum everyone is using these days, I'm out of the loop).

Yes, that was going to be my question -- did she miss an application deadline?

The usual deal at my place is you confirm your attendance at the summer graduation before a certain date. If you miss that deadline and they're full, you will be offered an autumn date or having your degree cert mailed out to you.

She did apply later than others hence she is on the wait list but she was before the final deadline. They still don't have enough space for everyone.

It's possible that if she missed a deadline, they will have given spaces to students who finished late, post grads etc. Do you know if she missed signing up?

Well that's your answer then ... she should have got in quicker!

Did she apply by the deadline? I’ve heard it happen when students have been late so they miss out.

Oh if she was before the deadline then yes, that isn't on.

I’m supporting the OP here. Graduation ceremonies are a scramble for places and are limited to two accompanying tickets and then two more if there is availability later on.

OP get DD to contact her university and explain to them over the phone that she hasn’t even got a place for herself so she needs to be a priority VIP at the top of the waiting list- she definitely deserves to go rather than a third/fourth family member.

They can only say no.

She didn't think it would be like getting tickets for a gig. She didn't miss the deadline. They just don't have enough room for all their students.

So even if your DD had applied earlier, that would have meant that someone else would be bumped, and not be able to graduate until November?

Yeah, that’s BS. There should be space for every graduating student to take part.

Did she apply in time?

Did the application say spaces were limited and to apply asap? Just because she applied before the deadline doesnt make her entitled to a place if someone got their application in first.

One of lifes long list of lessons. If something is important to you, deal with it as a priority first. It saves disappointment.

This wont be the first graduation they have held and your daughter wont be the first to leave the response to the last minute. Unfortunately she will have to rely on someone dropping out or mum kicking up enough of a stink about it.

Thanks Wholegrain mustard that's a good idea

Is it worth her emailing her department administrator? I worked in this area amd would have tried to speak to the organising team in this situation. It might not work, but could be worth a try.

Was she supposed to book a place & did not do it?

One of my universities had that system, the other you just got given a date.