#Michigan college defies state order, holds in-person commencement

A small Michigan college held an in-person graduation ceremony this weekend in defiance of an executive order by the governor that prohibits gatherings of more than 100 people during the coronavirus pandemic, according to reports.

The conservative Hillsdale College held an outdoor commencement ceremony at Frank “Muddy” Waters Stadium on Saturday evening, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Attendees were required to wear masks and had their temperatures taken before the event, where they sat six feet apart and could view the proceedings on large screens set up on a stage, according to the news outlet.

But despite the safety measures, the school ran afoul of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s order, which covers part of the state where Hillsdale is located, prompting Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to call the event illegal, The Detroit News reported.

The festivities took place as coronavirus cases have spiked in Michigan and across the US.

The state reported 678 new cases Saturday, bringing the weekly total to 4,232 — the highest total since the week of May 17, when 3,861 cases were reported, according to the outlet.

Christian Betz, one of the graduates, brought his family to the ceremony and said he felt the school took necessary precautions.

“Students were wearing the masks,” he told the Detroit News. “(Hillsdale President Larry) Arnn’s speech during the first dinner talked about how this was our duty to protect one another, and for us to be able to come together, we have to be responsible.”

Betz’s father, David, said the decision to attend the event was an easy one.

“COVID obviously was a concern,” he told the paper. “For a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be able to come, it was well worth it.”

Hillsdale County Sheriff Tim Parker told the News his office has not enforced any of the governor’s pandemic orders and does not intend to do so now.

But Robert Norton, vice president and general counsel for Hillsdale College, said the college believes its ceremony fully complied with the order.

“Nothing in this order shall be taken to abridge protections guaranteed by the state or federal constitution under these emergency circumstances,” he said in a press release, referring to the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

Hillsdale also consulted with health officials to prepare for the weekend’s activities to ensure the safety of its graduates and their guests, according to a press release.