It’s graduation day at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC), this Friday.
And ASCC has selected a format which “adheres to existing safety protocols for COVID while minimizing health risks to the participants, especially the graduates.”
The Spring 2022 Commencement Ceremony will be the College’s first ever drive-through commencement.
Each graduate will approach the designated receiving site in a vehicle, which they will only exit long enough to receive their degree, certificate, and other honors.
While the final number will be subject to examination results, the College anticipates that 73 students will graduate in-person, with another three who are currently off-island being awarded their credentials in absentia.
In observance of social distancing requirements and due to space limitations in the ceremonial tent, the ASCC faculty will not join VIPs, including the Governor, the Board of Higher Education and ASCC President.
In the interest of keeping the duration of the event to a minimum, there will be no Keynote Speaker.
Each graduate is permitted a single vehicle, a limit which will be strictly enforced.
“This will be the first time ASCC holds an event using these procedures,” said College President Dr. Rosevonne Pato. “We believe we have covered all our bases as far as the organization. While we realize this is an unusual way for the Spring 2022 graduating class to conclude their time with us, we hope the public remember that we hold the safety of everyone involved, especially the students, as our main concern.”
