After going virtual last year because of the coronavirus pandemic, Stanford University will hold in-person commencement ceremonies in 2021.
In a letter Tuesday, university president Marc Tessier-Lavigne said that while the “celebration will have to look different than usual,” the public health situation and pandemic restrictions have improved enough to allow for limited in-person gatherings in June.
“We are committed to a commencement experience that, while imperfect in some respects, is fun, meaningful and safe, contingent on the public health orders in place at the time,” Tessier-Lavigne wrote. “We have consulted with student leaders, who have expressed their enthusiasm to proceed despite the constraints.”
Universities throughout the state and Bay Area are scrambling to adapt to the latest coronavirus restrictions. UC Berkeley is planning a virtual commencement on May 15 with student-only processions over the next five days. San Jose State has also announced a virtual event May 26 with smaller in-person gatherings in the works.
In an April 9 letter to UC chancellors, UC President Michael Drake said his office recommends virtual ceremonies. If campuses hold in-person gatherings, they must take place outdoors with physical distancing and face coverings and attendees should either show a recent negative coronavirus test result or be fully vaccinated.
A spokesperson for the California State University system said “ceremonies will vary from campus to campus based on the number of graduates who plan to participate and the region where the campus is located. All campuses are working with their respective local public health agency to ensure a safe celebration.”
Stanford will hold two ceremonies at Stanford Stadium, including one for those earning advanced degrees on Saturday, June 12, and another for graduating seniors the following day. Each graduating student will be allowed just two guest tickets and those traveling from outside California must be fully vaccinated. Those already on campus or in the state will either need to be vaccinated or provide proof of a negative COVID test. Socially distanced seats will be assigned and the school will require face coverings.
The ceremonies will be live streamed and recorded for students and families who cannot attend in person, and individual school and departmental gatherings will still be virtual.
Stanford is still “exploring ways to adjust other traditions,” like alternatives to the usual Wacky Walk, where graduating students, often donning costumes, make their way to their graduation ceremony.
A celebration for 2020 graduates will take place at an unspecified later date.
“We are well aware that this plan is not the full commencement experience that we all would like to have,” Tessier-Lavigne wrote. “We deeply regret that some members of our community may not be able to join in person. However, after careful consideration of the situation and with health precautions and state regulations firmly in mind, we believe this is the best path forward and we are excited to celebrate with our graduates.”
