Brooklyn College seniors upset they won’t walk at graduation; school cites time limits
The ceremony for the Class of 2026 is scheduled for May 28 at 9 a.m. at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
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Some Brooklyn College seniors are speaking out after learning they will not walk across the stage at this year’s commencement — a moment many say they have been working toward for years.
“There are students who are first generation, there are students who are single parents, there are students who had to work jobs," said Ifeoma Ezike, a graduating senior.
For the last three years, seniors walked across the stage at the Barclays Center, where the ceremony is held.
“A lot of students expected that they were going to walk the stage, they had their families come out to watch them graduate," said Robert Echevarria, president-elect of the Brooklyn College Student Government.
The ceremony for the Class of 2026 is scheduled for May 28 at 9 a.m. at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. However, instead of hearing their names and walking individually, students will remain seated and will be recognized by school or academic discipline.
In a statement, Brooklyn College said time and venue constraints are behind the decision:
“Brooklyn College recognizes how meaningful Commencement is for graduates and their families. This year’s Commencement at the Barclays Center has a required end time to accommodate another graduation ceremony immediately afterward, which is common. Each graduation is different, given time and venue constraints. While individual stage walking was possible at two recent graduations, for all others, the College has not been able to accommodate individual recognition. This year, as we have with most commencements, graduates will be formally recognized by academic discipline and by school, master’s students first, followed by baccalaureate students, during the ceremony. Brooklyn College is proud of the Class of 2026 and looks forward to honoring their achievements at Commencement.”
