Coronavirus this week is canceling college graduation and commencement ceremonies one after another, just as it shut campus after campus last week.
The State University System of Flordia has canceled all on-campus commencement ceremonies.
“Each university is directed to develop an alternate schedule or method of delivery,” the system said on its website.
The system also directed also institutions to shift to remote instruction for the rest of the spring semester.
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The California State University System has postponed all commencement ceremonies, with institutions expected to reschedule the ceremonies for later this year.
The University of Pennsylvania’s commencement day, May 18, will not pass without graduates being recognized—in this case, virtually, President Amy Gutmann said on the school’s website.
“We also will celebrate and honor you in person with commencement ceremonies on Penn’s campus when it is safe and feasible to do so,” Gutmann added.
In New Jersey, Rutgers University on Wednesday canceled all campus events through May, and suspended in-person instruction for the rest of the spring semester.
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“These are the right actions to take for the health of our community,” President Robert Barchi said in a message to the Rutgers community. “But I know I speak for all faculty and staff when I say how deeply we will miss the vibrancy that students bring to our campuses each spring, and how incomplete this year will feel without our commencement ceremonies.
“To our seniors, I offer our community’s heartfelt appreciation for all you have contributed and my sincere regret that the global situation has required this unfortunate decision,” Barchi added.
The University of Georgia has also canceled its commencement ceremony, which had been scheduled for May 8.
“We realize that the cancellation of Spring Commencement is extremely disappointing. Therefore, we are exploring other ways to honor our graduates and will communicate when those plans are known,” the university said on its website.
