While the coronavirus pandemic may have upended a traditional spring commencement gathering, the celebration will go on—and graduating students will get the chance for one or more in-person recognitions, too.

The University of Utah Commencement Committee will move ahead with a virtual General Commencement convocation on Thursday, April 30, at 6:30 p.m.

In addition to the virtual event, the committee is surveying the Class of 2020 on other options for an in-person, on-campus celebration. In an email sent to all graduate candidates from Summer 2019, Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 Semesters, the committee asked students to select whether they would participate in any of the following events:

• Class of 2020 reunion party during Homecoming Week (Oct. 10-17, 2020)
• December 2020 convocation
• May 2021 convocation celebrating the Class of 2020 and Class of 2021

The committee will proceed with a special recognition event for the Class of 2020 based on the majority preference from the options presented. In addition, all Class of 2020 graduates will be invited to attend—and be recognized during—the May 2021 convocation, regardless of the survey results.

“We understand and share the deep disappointment of the Class of 2020,” said Lori McDonald, vice president for Student Affairs. “Although we are unable to hold the commencement we all anticipated this spring, we look forward to celebrating these incredible students both on April 30 and, once again, in person when it is safe to do so.”

Find the full email that was sent to students and commencement FAQs here.