The University of New Haven graduating students have a history of taking the stage in large venues where they can invite as many of their loved ones and supporters as they wished.
For example, in 2023, graduates took stage at Bridgeport’s Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater, which seats more than 5,700 people. In the years prior to the pandemic, UNH students held their ceremony at Toyota Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford.
But in 2024, the commencement was held at Kathy Zolad Stadium on campus, which seats just 400 people.
As graduating seniors, students are emailed information regarding ticket availability. Students are allotted just four tickets apiece. This is not the first time the university has made changes in the commencement ceremonies. In 2022, the school announced it would no longer hold winter commencement, and a Change.org petition asking the school to reinstate the winter ceremonies gained some 900 signatures.
The university commencement committee sent out an email saying members evaluated feedback, and thought moving on “provides the most creative freedom and flexibility.”
According to the committee, last year’s on-campus ceremony was so successful that this year’s ceremony will stay at the university, though not all the students are happy.
Rachel Stone, a university alumni who graduated in 2024, was part of the first class that celebrated on campus.
“Even though I do not have a large immediate family, having only four tickets still made me feel limited to whom I could invite,” Stone said. “I had to choose who was the ‘most important’ to come, which is something that no student should ever have to do with their loved ones.”
She said she watched friends with larger families struggle to find extra tickets.
“People were even selling tickets to make a profit off of others who needed them,” Stone said. “No one should have to give up inviting those closest to them to one of the most important events of their lives.”
Though Haiden Leach, a communications major who graduates in May, said she doesn’t feel affected by the change, she understands other students’ reactions.
“As someone who has a smaller family and some that can’t attend due to other reasons, it doesn’t personally impact my day,” said Leach. “However, I do feel bad for those who must choose between family members that can attend the event. All family members should be able to celebrate this occasion if they’re able to.”
Ashley Bekondo, who will graduate in May with a cybersecurity degree, said, “I am not affected by the low amount of tickets because my family is honestly too big to even stress about them all attending.”“But, if they were to all want to come, it would be impossible,” she said. She’s inviting parents and siblings, and she’s looking forward to having her family on campus to celebrate.
Correction – A recent story in The Charger Bulletin inaccurately said that in past commencements, students could invite an unlimited number of guests. This is not the case, said Dave Cranshaw, UNH director of communications and public relations. The story also said that previous commencement venues allowed more guests, but, according to Cranshaw, the on-campus venue seats 5,900. In addition, students who need more tickets for the ceremony should have already received an email instructing them how to do that, Cranshaw said.
