By Sarah Deakins 
Staff Writer 

As COVID-19 begins to die down, universities are preparing to switch back to normal in-person operations. The University of Alabama is among the many schools starting in-person classes again, as soon as next fall. 

The university is also holding normal summer classes as well as having normal in-person orientation over the summer. 

While many are excited about this revamp of normalcy, current UA seniors don’t have a reason to celebrate. 

“I’m happy for all of my friends who are getting to go back on campus, especially the ones who will be seniors next year, but it does kind of suck, especially since UA (is doing) things normally this summer and we still can’t have a normal graduation,” said Sydney Radford, a senior.

Many seniors expressed frustrations with UA for holding normal in-person and overnight orientation, also known as Bama Bound, just a few weeks after their COVID-affected graduations. 

The class of 2021 will not get to graduate as normal. Each student is allowed only four guests and after receiving their diploma and walking across the stage, they must leave graduation entirely. 

“I think it’s a little unfair that we get such a minimal graduation when normal operations are starting so soon after,” said Emily Myatt, a senior. “We hardly got a senior year as it is, so it would have been nice to have a graduation that seemed a little more special than just walking across the stage and leaving.”

Even though many seniors seemed disappointed with their graduation, current students are beyond excited to get to attend classes in person again.

“I can’t wait to be back in the classroom again,” said UA student Molly King. “I feel bad senior friends of course, but overall I’m just happy that things seem to finally be moving towards normal.”