Bond University postpones graduation ceremonies due to coronavirus outbreak

A Gold Coast university has made the extraordinary decision to postpone graduation ceremonies due to disruption caused by the novel coronavirus outbreak.

A GOLD COAST university has made the extraordinary decision to postpone graduation ceremonies scheduled for later this month due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The news has come as a great disappointment for some students who have already welcomed families from overseas.

In an email sent to all graduates this afternoon Bond University Vice Chancellor Tim Brailsford said it was with “deep regret” the graduation ceremonies scheduled for 14-15 February were to be postponed.

The university cited the “proximity” among a “large and diverse” audience as their reason for caution.

“Many of our graduands and their families who were planning to attend the upcoming ceremony will no longer be able to attend due to flight and travel restrictions recently introduced,” the email read.

Bond University Vice Chancellor Tim Brailsford said the ceremonies were postponed with “deep regret”. Picture: Regi Varghese.

“Further, graduation ceremonies by their nature involve a large crowd gathered for several hours in a confined space in close physical proximity. In such circumstances, we consider that it would be irresponsible to proceed with the February ceremonies.

“Such decisions are never easy but are made in the interests of the greater good.”

The University Council will still formally confer degrees on February 12, but ceremonies will be postponed until June or October.

Graduands have instead been offered a “Grad Day” on February 13 where they will be able to collect their certificate and celebrate with friends.

The celebration is restricted to the students only.

“One of the attributes of a Bondy is resilience and I trust that you understand that these circumstances are outside of our control,” the email said.

“We have agonised over this decision. And we have explored alternative arrangements which have proven to be logistically impossible.”

One student who has already welcomed her family from Europe slammed the decision as “unfair”.

“My family have already flown in and spent at least ten thousand dollars to come to the graduation, only for it to be cancelled,” she said.

“They claim the coronavirus is affecting a lot of families but it is only restricting those flying from China.

“I feel like they could have run a ceremony for those who could still come.”

The Bulletin has contacted Bond University for comment.