A notice allegedly issued by St Joseph’s University in Bengaluru has sparked significant backlash online after it stated that graduating students must pay Rs 6,500 to attend their convocation ceremony, and Rs 3,000 even if they choose not to.
The issue gained public attention after a LinkedIn post by user Jeffery Ronald went viral. Ronald shared a copy of the notice, and voiced concerns about the cost of participating in what many view as a once-in-a-lifetime academic milestone.
“Ever dreamed of graduating but felt too poor to show up? Here's how St Joseph's University made it happen,” he wrote.
“We thought, finally, the degree is ours. Plot twist: Rs 6,500 to walk across a stage and be handed what we already earned. Oh, you don’t want to attend? Just Rs 3,000 for the silent heartbreak of collecting it later. Because at this point, even not showing up is a paid service,” the LinkedIn post read.
Outrage over ‘non-attendee’ charges
Much of the criticism online was focused on the Rs 3,000 charge for students opting not to participate in the ceremony. The fee, many said, seemed punitive and unnecessary.
An alumnus from the 2020 batch shared their frustration in response to the post, stating that their convocation had been cancelled during the pandemic, but they had still been charged.
“My dear. I passed out in 2020. The pandemic batch. They collected 3500 rupees for a convocation. Did not receive any refund or any Convocation. I understand because of safety measures, it was postponed. But for the whole five years, when they have conducted other batches' convocations? So what about the money? Who's accountable?” the user wrote.
Internet reacts
The internet criticised its fee policy as elitist and unreasonable.
One user even commented, “Out here acting like they’re Harvard.”
While another wrote, “6.5k for a robe, 2 photos, and a few handshakes? Can I get EMI options too?”
Meanwhile, another former student commented on past delays in receiving their graduation certificates, pointing to what they described as systemic inefficiencies in the university’s administrative process.
