A message from the provost about commencement-related events

Dear colleagues,

To reiterate our conversation at the Council of Deans yesterday, we support your interest in providing safe opportunities to celebrate the graduation of students from your programs.

While most events and gatherings remain under a moratorium focused on protecting the health and safety of the university community, your commencement-related activities will be permitted if they meet the health and safety protocols for events at this time. These protocols include wearing masks, managing physical distancing and tracking attendance to support contact tracing if any is required. 

All events must be approved in advance through one of the following protocols:

• If you are planning to hold an event at a university-managed venue, please work with that facility to obtain approvals. Both the venue and event must have plans approved through the Events Review Committee, and that process will be managed through the venue.
• If you are planning to hold an event at a college- or unit-managed facility, please contact Vice Provost Randy Smith for information about the approval process. 

The university has prioritized commencement-related events for consideration at this time because of their importance to graduating students. We continue to develop guidance for a wide variety of other in-person events and gatherings that may be considered after May 9, when commencement will occur. 

For inquiries about academic programs prior to commencement, contact Vice Provost Randy Smith.

Thank you,

Bruce A. McPheron, PhD
Executive Vice President and Provost