The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) hosted a series of graduation ceremonies earlier this month that were segregated by race and identity. These “affinity” events featured separate celebrations for Asian and Pacific American, “Latinx,” Native American, African American, and LGBT students, according to a report from Campus Reform.
UNLV announced these events, stating, “Please join us for our Affinity Graduations sponsored by Student Diversity Programs; which include APMIE, Latinx, Lavender, and Native Convocation.” The announcement also noted that students participating in these events would be “provided a stole to wear at commencement as a part of the ceremony.”
The events were organized by UNLV’s Office of Student Diversity Programs earlier this month. The office’s mission statement climas that it strives to “serve a diverse student population” and affirm students’ identities.
The school’s Reno campus offered similar events, including a “Lavender” ceremony for LGBTQ-identifying students.
Emily Thao-Sing, a student supervisor at UNLV, explained the rationale behind these ceremonies in a campus statement.
“By recognizing and honoring different cultural traditions and themes, the celebrations create spaces where students can feel proud of their heritage and share it with others. These celebrations help foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity for students of diverse backgrounds,” she said.
UNLV’s Multicultar Center, which is responsible for these ceremonies, has stated that the school plans to continue these segregated ceremonies in the coming years.
The practice of holding affinity graduations has been growing among colleges nationwide, including Ivy League institutions. Recently, Harvard University gained attention for similar segregated events, which they defended as celebrations of diversity.
In 2021, Columbia University held six separate graduations, including one that was segregated by income. After facing backlash, Columbia clarified that these were celebratory events, not official graduation ceremonies.
