SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah has postponed its in-person college convocation ceremonies scheduled for December due to continued coronavirus concerns.
In April, the U held a virtual live-streamed general commencement for the class of 2020 and announced that individual colleges would hold convocations in December, allowing graduates to walk and have their names announced.
But the university announced Thursday that due to "still-evolving" COVID-19 infection and hospitalization rates, the ceremonies will no longer take place and graduates will instead be honored the following May along with the class of 2021.
“We know this is disappointing and frustrating, particularly for the Class of 2020, which has not been able to celebrate this life achievement in-person as a group,” said Lori McDonald, vice president for Student Affairs.
According to the announcement, fall 2020 classes will shift to online-only after Thanksgiving break, which the university said informed the decision to cancel the events. The university cited advice from experts at U of U Health, the Salt Lake County and Sate of Utah health departments in these decisions.
