Quinnipiac University recently announced it will be holding a semi in-person graduation — spread out over four days from May 8 to 11 — and every graduate is allowed to invite two guests at the ceremony.
Quinnipiac originally planned for the commencement to be held virtually with no visitors in attendance. Now, as the university prepares for an in-person ceremony, local businesses around Hamden are gearing up for an increase in traffic.
“Yes, we’ve seen a recent surge in reservations for that weekend,” said Mike Patel, manager at the Whitney Inn & Suites, a hotel across the street from Quinnipiac’s campus. “At least double what we’ve been seeing, but we haven’t been seeing much traffic at all lately.”
The Whitney Inn, along with the other hotels in the Hamden area, has been open since June of last year after a three-month shutdown. The inn is still under strict COVID restrictions however, limiting how much they can truly offer their guests.
Comfort Suites manager Meghan B at the Clarion Hotel on Whitney Avenue, who would not provide her last name, said the Clarion is also still operating under tight regulations.
“We’ve taken away all of the seats in the lobby, most of the gym equipment is closed or unavailable,” she said. “We can’t even open the buffet style breakfast [and] all meals have to be done through order now.”
While hotels see a surge in reservations, some parents of graduating students are trying to prepare for the abrupt change in commencement plans.
“We live in [Pennsylvania] and normally stay at a pet friendly hotel so we just booked there again since it was familiar. There were open rooms even, but the prices were a little higher than usual,” said Quinnipiac parent Doreen Storz, adding she is set on coming to Hamden to see her son walk at graduation.
Storz is most likely just one of the many parents who were excited when they heard the news they would be able to see their child graduate in person instead of watching it virtually. However, although she said she’s excited, Storz is still cautious about the possible spread of COVID.
“If Hamden area businesses, as well as visitors coming in for graduation, continue to follow the current guidelines, it should be a non issue. Hopefully the weather will be nice and outdoor seating at restaurants will be plentiful,” said Storz.
Storz said she hopes more people will be vaccinated by the time students are walking across the stage.
“With CT moving on to the next stage of vaccine administration in April, hopefully more Hamden locals will have that added layer of protection by May,” she said.
Right now, the vaccines are eligible for medical workers, nursing care residents and staff, teachers and anyone over the age of 45. Then, starting on April 5, anyone over the age of 16 in Connecticut is eligible.
Although vaccines will be available to larger groups of people, hotels in the area are still preparing for things to die down again once the graduation weekend passes.
“We call around for people who need group bookings, such as parties, or even graduations, but I don’t think we’re going to bring in more guests, even as vaccines start to roll out in Connecticut,” Meghan said.
Patel from Whitney Inn agreed, noting after that weekend, the traffic will slow down.
“Maybe because of the vaccine more people will start to visit and we can get more guests,” Patel said. “We just don’t know unfortunately.”