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

The Lancaster FB parents have shown their true colours, SM bullying at its finest.

She can still graduate this year. It's just the ticketed event ceremony that is affected. I am surprised if she applied for the same event date and at the same time as her friends that she didn't get any tickets. She could ask if their have been any cancellations so she if she can still get a single ticket or ask her friends if they are using all the ones they obtained. . Normally tickets are limited on a first come first served basis, with a cap on maximum number of guests.

She did not apply at the same time as her friends. That’s the point. She replied much later

And people are saying that it shouldn't matter as long as she meets the deadline. She should still be able to graduation in July.

Why? I can’t see OP mentioning any contact with the Student Union?

This is insane. I’ve worked in events for years and this is a terrible way to organise a graduation. What a flop and a travesty for those hoping to celebrate with joy and closure amongst their piers! Our uni did a sensible thing; graduations would happen by subject. Our subject had 35 people so they would all be guaranteed a place (unless they turned it down). Then the other slots were filled with post grads and PhD students who don’t really graduate in cohorts, so it enables you to fill the hall to capacity. Then there was an application for +2 tickets and if you missed that there was a big TV outside that guests could watch on. But all students are guaranteed a place at their original, orchestrated graduation if they want it. This is mad. By the way you keep saying your daughter applied late, but by the deadline. She didn’t apply late, just later than her friends; she applied on time. What a stupid process they should be apologising this is organised so badly. It really should be organised by subject.

That’s so bizarre. I’ve never heard of this at all. It seems they have intentionally planned their graduations to have more students eligible than space. That is a terrible thing. Please name and shame.

By the way my post grad graduations were on my own so have experienced both. While it’s of course preferable to graduate with your friends, the solo ones were really lovely. You can indulge in the day with your family more which is really special. My final graduation was with just my parents and it was so special. One of my favourite days with my mum and dad. When my dad saw me in my gown it was like him seeing me on my wedding day. He welled up a bit. I’ll never forget that. Very special and more present, less frenetic day if you know what I mean.

But she did apply/register by the deadline. The problem is that there aren’t enough graduation ceremonies for students completing. So even if you do register by the deadline you don’t necessarily get a spot. This is unusual and I’ve worked in academia a long time and have never heard of this. Bizarre to give +2 guest tickets before prioritising students who wish to attend and apply on time like OP’s daughter.

BTW those on here saying she should have applied promptly is a null and void argument. If she had it would by necessity mean a different student would be unable to attend despite passing and applying on time. So the same problem still exists. People on mumsnet easily look down the wrong end of that telescope. This is not a sensible way to organise an event like this. The mind boggles!