Nothing has been “set in stone” yet for a commencement ceremony, university officials say.
Patrick Gonzales, UTRGV associate vice president for University Marketing and Communications, said there still is no date for the ceremonies, which have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Asked if the spring and fall commencements will be combined next semester, Gonzales replied, “That’s one of the options that’s being considered, but nothing has been set in stone.”
He said there is not going to be a traditional ceremony in May.
“We are discussing several options to try to come out with the best way to celebrate these students because they deserve to be celebrated unlike any other graduates we’ve had,” Gonzales said. “They had to go through circumstances that were beyond their control, or beyond our control, and we’re just so proud that they have persevered. We just want to remind them that they still will get a degree.”
On March 17, University of Texas System Chancellor James Milliken announced all spring commencement ceremonies will be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
University Registrar Sofia Montes said diplomas should be mailed out between mid-May and June.
Montes said there are 2,400 students expected to graduate throughout the spring and summer terms.
“But because the graduation application is still open, that number changes every day,” she said. “So, we expect those numbers to change.”
Asked what plans they have for graduating students, Montes replied, “We’re trying to allocate extra resources to get diplomas out as soon as possible. That’s one of the things that we’re trying to do.”
She said they are also making sure the department stays in contact with students.
“Our office sent a communication last week to students, just assuring them that degrees will still be audited to make sure that all requirements are met and that we will continue to, of course, publish diplomas when the time comes and that they can order their official transcript once their degree is posted.”
For more information visit, https://www.utrgv.edu/ucentral/registration/index.htm.
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