University of Tennessee among the first universities to announce fall graduation ceremonies

Like most things this year, graduation plans have been derailed by the coronavirus at colleges and universities across the country.

A few universities, however, have decided to host socially distanced graduations. The University of Georgia, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Clemson University and Texas A&M University all will hold in-person ceremonies this fall.

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has announced plans for 12 in-person graduation ceremonies in November. Even those will look different – ceremonies that normally pack Thompson-Boling Arena will be capped at 200 graduates with a limited number of guests allowed for each graduate. Attendance will be around 1,000 for each ceremony with masks required, Provost John Zomchick said. 

After seeing plans from the University of Alabama's summer graduation ceremony and speaking with other SEC provosts, Zomchick said UT administrators felt confident they could host a safe, in-person graduation. 

"I know one of the big disappointments – for not only our students but students across the country,  including high school students – was to have to forgo commencement this past spring because of the dire nature of the pandemic," Zomchick said. "Given what we've learned since then and given our own practices of putting safety and health protocols in place, we're confident that we can hold this graduation safely and at the same time recognize the hard work and outstanding accomplishments of our students." 

UT's graduations will take place from Nov. 19 to Nov. 22, before students leave campus for Thanksgiving break. In-person classes will be completed the next week, with finals taking place online. 

UT feels 'really good that we can do this in a safe way'

UT has taken COVID-19 precautions throughout the semester, at times adding more restrictions to try to control the number of active cases on campus. Active cases have been dropping since mid-September and have held steady around 60 cases since the beginning of October. 

Zomchick said that data, including an infection rate around 2%, was promising for the university. If conditions change over the next month, the university will reconsider its plans, Zomchick said. 

"But right now, we feel really good that we can do this in a safe way that will also be kind of a memorable occasion for our students," Zomchick said. 

In a change from normal ceremonies, faculty will not participate this year. Some faculty, like deans, will be on stage during their college's ceremony, but faculty will not be seated with students. Ceremonies will be livestreamed so that faculty or family members who cannot attend can still watch.

"I'm really excited because I really love graduation," Zomchick said. "I know the chancellor (Donde Plowman) feels the same way. She's excited about it. And we wouldn't be doing it if we didn't think we could do this in a way that will be both classy and safe."

Other schools plan for in-person ceremonies

The University of Georgia will hold an outdoor ceremony for spring and summer 2020 graduates later this week in Sanford Stadium. That ceremony will take place on Friday evening, with three guests allowed per graduate, and masks will be required. The university also will livestream the ceremony for those who cannot attend in person. 

In December, Texas A&M University will hold 15 ceremonies over several days for fall 2020 graduates. Ceremonies for spring and summer 2020 graduates have been scheduled for next February and March. 

In Reed Arena, where Texas A&M graduations will be held, seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, the university posted online. Tickets are not required to attend the ceremonies. 

Clemson University will hold ceremonies from Nov. 13 to Nov. 15. Like UT and the University of Georgia, the number of guests will be limited. Students will be able to bring four guests to their ceremonies. 

Masks will be required, and there will be at least 6 feet between groups of people inside and outside the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, where ceremonies are taking place. Ceremonies also will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend.

Some universities delay graduation to spring or go virtual

While some schools have not yet announced a plan for fall graduation, other schools have decided to delay their graduation ceremonies until spring. The University of Mississippi has planned two days for in-person ceremonies this spring. May 1, 2021, will be for the class of 2021 and May 8, 2021, will be for the class of 2020, whose ceremonies were cancelled earlier this year.

Vanderbilt University will hold its ceremonies on May 14.

The University of Florida and the University of South Carolina both have opted for virtual ceremonies this year. The University of Florida System asked all universities to cancel in-person ceremonies and make alternate plans this semester, with the hope of holding an in-person ceremony at some point in the future, said Steve Orlando, University of Florida spokesman.

At the University of South Carolina, concerns about a potential spike in COVID-19 cases was one factor in creating a virtual ceremony, President Bob Caslen said. 

"I know this may come as a disappointment to you and your family, but our decision not to host a large indoor event in December is based on advice from public health experts," Caslen said in a letter to students. "As you know, large inside group events and extended family travel create a greater risk for community spread."

What are East Tennessee schools planning?

Pellissippi State University, the largest community college in Tennessee, will hold virtual ceremonies this fall. Lincoln Memorial University has similar plans for a virtual ceremony.

Some smaller schools also are planning in-person ceremonies this fall. Johnson University in Knoxville will have in-person ceremonies. May graduates will be able to celebrate with a ceremony on Oct. 17, and the university is planning for a fall graduation ceremony on Dec. 19.

Maryville College, which typically does not have a fall graduation ceremony, is planning to hold an in-person ceremony for the classes of 2020 and 2021.