SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah will conduct a “virtual” general commencement on April 30 and traditional college convocations will be held on Dec. 18 and 19 in lieu of traditional spring commencement events.
According to an announcement Friday, in-person college and department convocations will provide students the opportunity for individual recognition. Graduates from summer 2019, fall 2019, spring 2020, summer 2020 and fall 2020 will be invited to participate.
After the COVID-19 pandemic forced the university to forgo its planned spring commencement activities, officials surveyed recent graduates and diploma candidates to ascertain whether they would participate in a Class of 2020 reunion party during homecoming week in October, a December 2020 convocation or a May 2021 convocation celebrating the classes of 2020 and 2021.
A majority of respondents indicated they preferred a December 2020 convocation.
“While none of the options are what any of us had envisioned, we hope these two graduation celebrations will provide our community members with the moments of recognition they deserve, and we thank everyone for their patience and flexibility as we navigate this public health crisis together,” said Lori McDonald, vice president for Student Affairs.