Texas Christian University announced today in a video message from Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. that the university’s Aug. 8 commencement ceremonies are canceled due to the surge of COVID-19 cases across the country. The Aug. 8 ceremonies were scheduled to recognize spring 2020 and August 2020 graduates. Senior Toast, which was planned for Aug. 7, is also canceled.
“We have spent the last three months planning, reimagining and doing everything in our power to create a safe event for our graduates and families to celebrate your incredible achievements; we created a plan that followed all CDC, state and local guidelines,” Chancellor Boschini said. “But, after meeting with public health department officials we realized that the event, no matter how well planned, poses too much risk for our graduates, their families, friends and our campus community.”
Three commencement ceremonies were scheduled for Aug. 8 – all to be held inside Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena with capacity limited to 50 percent of the indoor arena’s capacity and physical distancing in place.
“We hoped the surge would decrease and give us more assurance, but it is our obligation and responsibility to make this decision now to enable families to plan ahead and also, unfortunately, rearrange their plans,” Chancellor Boschini continued.
Spring 2020 graduates were initially scheduled to participate in commencement ceremonies on May 9, but the event was postponed due to COVID-19. All spring 2020 and August 2020 graduates will receive their signed diploma and deluxe diploma cover, which was to be delivered at commencement. For a list of frequently asked questions for graduates, visit commencement.tcu.edu.
Chancellor Boschini expressed his deep regrets to the spring 2020 and August 2020 graduates and their families and shared some of the message he was planning for the Aug. 8 commencement ceremonies. In closing he said, “And I promise you, we will celebrate on campus together when COVID-19 is behind us. We will welcome you and your families with open arms, hugs, handshakes and celebrations when the pandemic is behind us.”
TCU has recently made other decisions to reduce travel and limit large indoor gatherings ahead of and during the fall semester to decrease risk to the campus community. Last month, the university announced that Family Weekend and Homecoming activities would be canceled this fall. The university also revised its Fall 2020 calendar to shorten the semester and reduce travel, and classes will end before the Thanksgiving holiday and December 2020 commencement is now scheduled for May 2021.