Below is an excerpt from an email sent to our traditional on-campus students on March 12. The email provided an update on many topics around the College, including Commencement 2021.
Dear Students,
I want to thank John James Anderson, Student Government Association president, and the SGA members for hosting an open forum for students last night. Events like these are one important way we can help build bridges, share information, provide context for decisions we make, and answer questions.
I’d like to share an update as a follow-up to last night’s meeting:
COMMENCEMENT 2021
We shared an update in last night’s forum on Commencement 2021 for graduating students. We are taking into consideration student feedback and monitoring the continued evolution of the pandemic. We are currently exploring three options:
- Conducting a virtual commencement in May as previously announced, while also exploring the opportunity for an in-person event in the fall;
- Conducting a hybrid event for May 2021, with virtual and in-person components;
- Conducting an in-person commencement in the fall.
In order for any in-person components to be considered, we need many things to align, including, importantly, changes to state guidance, which currently does not permit large gatherings. We continue to discuss and plan, keeping at the forefront the desire of graduating students to have a resolution.
Sincerely,
Benjamin Ola. Akande, Ph.D.
Champlain College President