UI announces private, in-person graduation ceremonies for 2020, 2021 graduates
Photo Courtesy of University of Illinois
Illinois graduates participate in commencement at State Farm Center in May of a previous year. This year, commencement will be held virtually.
March 9, 2021
For this year’s commencement, the University is planning to conduct in-person, private stage crossings for 2020 and 2021 graduates.
The stage crossings will take place across eight days in May — May 10 to May 17 — at the Krannert Center for the Performing arts, UI announced on Tuesday.
Gone are college-specific graduation ceremonies: graduates will sign up for 15-minute time slots on any of the available days, where they’re permitted to bring two guests.
All attendees will have to obey COVID-19 safety protocols like mask-wearing and social distancing, though the University said more specifics will be shared with graduates as the ceremony is finalized.
Photography is permitted, and professional photographers and videographers will be present to take formal portraits and livestream and record the event. A “virtual conferral of degrees” will accompany the ceremony as well.
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“We absolutely understand the importance of commencement at Illinois, and we are committed to doing everything we can to celebrate the success of Illinois graduates while working to maximize the health and safety of our community,” Chancellor Robert Jones said.
UI’s 2020 commencement plans were canceled last March amid a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention directive to avoid in-person gatherings of 50 or more people.
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