A STUDENT has blasted a university over its handling of its graduation ticket allocation after missing out on celebrating his big day with his classmates.

Jack Pittman, 25, a pupil at the University of Essex, in Colchester, finished his master’s degree in Criminology with Socio-Legal Studies in September 2020.

He was originally pencilled in to graduate at an event held at the Wivenhoe campus in July 2021 but the ceremony was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Following a virtual graduation, described as a “glorified Zoom call” by Jack, the university promised all graduating students they would be offered in-person ceremonies on either March 28 and July 25.

Gazette:

The first batch of events took place throughout last week specifically for students who should have celebrated their achievements in July 2020 or July 2021.

More than 4,000 graduates and families from more than 140 different countries are said to have attended over the course of five days – but Jack wasn’t one of them.

“The tickets sold out very quickly, so they put me in a ballot of unsold friends and family tickets, but I lost,” said Jack, from Thurrock.

“They then told me they would offer me my graduation in July 2022, despite the vast majority of my classmates and year group graduating last week.

“I am now going to have to tag along to another year group’s graduation – it makes me laugh there is a ballot, it’s not the London Marathon.”

According to Jack the university has put the unfortunate mishap down to the impacts of coronavirus and being unable to accommodate every student.

IN PHOTOS: University of Essex students finally graduate after Covid delays

He added: “I think the university have totally disgraced themselves because they didn’t bother to pre-empt the situation and I using Covid as an is pretty poor as well.

“I’m really happy for those who graduated and I am so pleased for my classmates because they deserve their moment in the sun.

“I think what hurts the most is that my time at Essex was the best four years of my life and for it to end on bad terms like this is a real shame.

“And I’ve earned my day to graduate with my classmates as soon as it’s possible and safe, especially after finishing my masters during the pandemic.”

Gazette:

The University of Essex has recently clarified its position in a statement published don its website.

A spokesman said: “We are very sorry that some of our graduates have been unable to secure tickets for Spring 2022 and are grateful for their patience and understanding.

“We are committed to ensuring all our graduates whose ceremonies were postponed due to the pandemic are able to celebrate at an in-person ceremony.

“We are delighted so many of our graduates want to attend and celebrate their achievements - some of the Spring ceremonies sold out and we are very sorry this has caused disappointment and frustration.”