Glasgow Caledonian University has become the only university in Glasgow to cancel winter graduation ceremonies due to Covid-related requirements at the venue.
Glasgow University, Strathclyde University and University of the West of Scotland have already announced their students will be able to attend in-person ceremonies between November and January.
In an email sent to prospective graduates seen by Glasgow Times, GCU’s principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Pamela Gillies, confirmed the university was forced to cancel graduations due to Covid-19 protocols in place at the Royal Concert Hall.
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The “significantly increased cleaning and other COVID-related requirements” in place between ceremonies would make it impossible for all 1900 students to attend over two days, with the venue unable to allocate additional dates.
“We felt it would be unfair to only graduate a proportion of our students at the Royal Concert Hall in November whilst leaving many others having to wait until our ceremonies next year,” she said.
“Together, the University and the Students’ Association Full Time Officers tried but were unable to find alternative solutions for our November ceremonies and this included moving to other venues.
“Secondly, we are all very aware that the COVID pandemic is still challenging, with infection rates increasing in recent weeks," she added.
A spokesperson for Glasgow Life said: “Glasgow Life venues have followed Scottish Government coronavirus guidance since the start of the pandemic and continue to.
"It is for the people or organisations making a booking to decide if their event will be adversely affected while we follow this guidance. In this case we were informed the booking was being cancelled by GCU.”
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The University has invited students to attend an on-campus event involving gowning and photography, with a view to attending an official ceremony next year.
Summer graduations were cancelled for the second year in a row due to the ongoing coronavirus emergency.
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