UC Davis announces virtual commencement ceremony for graduating class

The University of California, Davis announced Wednesday its decision to change its June graduation commencement to a virtual celebration. The university is also considering an in-person ceremony for undergraduate and graduate students, possibly in December.

The decision, sparked from feedback from students, comes after UC Davis announced the remainder of the school year will be completed online to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

“Every year we eagerly await gathering for this time-honored tradition,” read an email from UC Davis Chancellor Gary May. “We understand the impact of this decision and did not make it lightly.”

Both Yolo and Sacramento counties are still under stay-at-home directives.

It’s unclear what the situation will look like by June 12 when the undergraduate commencements begin.

Ceremonies for law and medical students were supposed to begin for UC Davis students in May, followed by graduate students in early June.

But May said with the rapidly evolving public health pandemic, exposing hundreds of students and thousands of attendees could be dangerous.

“We believe the risk is just too great and do not want to jeopardize the health and safety of you, your families or our communities,” May said in the email to students.

University officials called on graduating students to fill out a survey so the university can decide how to execute the virtual ceremony. Students are asked to rank how important each element of the ceremony is to them: name on the screen, a photo of students in their regalia, speeches from special guests and students, and more.

This story was originally published April 9, 2020 at 6:59 AM with the headline "UC Davis announces virtual commencement ceremony for graduating class."