Graduating students succumb to unvaxxed ban ruling

State government rules mean unvaccinated staff, students and their families will not be allowed to attend graduation ceremonies, despite students being allowed into classrooms and libraries.

Unvaccinated students at a Queensland university won’t be allowed to attend their own graduation ceremony this year – even though they can still go into classrooms and the library.

Griffith University vice-chancellor Professor Carolyn Evans, in an email, said Queensland government Covid-19 rules meant unvaccinated staff, students and family members would not be allowed to attend graduation ceremonies being held in December.

Professor Carolyn Evans, Vice-chancellor of Griffith University

The Queensland restrictions come into force when 80 per cent of the eligible population has been fully vaccinated or on December 17, whichever comes first.

A Griffith University spokesperson said the restrictions around graduation ceremonies was made in line with health directions and advice from convention centers.

The spokesperson said estimates that the 80 per cent milestone would be reached nearly a week earlier than expected also meant it was likely all graduation ceremonies in December would be subject to the new rules.

“We appreciate this is disappointing for those students and their families who are impacted, particularly as they have worked so hard to complete their degrees,” they said.

According to Professor Evans’ email, once the rules kick in unvaccinated staff will still be allowed into “closed and open plan offices”.

A Griffith University spokesperson said the restrictions around graduation ceremonies was made in line with health directions and advice from convention centers.

Unvaccinated students won’t be allowed into hospitality venues or “indoor entertainment venues” on campuses but will be allowed into classrooms and to the university’s library.

The Griffith University spokesperson did not answer questions around campus areas like the conservatorium, which could technically be both a classroom and an indoor entertainment venue.