UNBC will hold a "virtual ceremony" on June 26 to celebrate the class of 2020, but will also schedule an in-person ceremony once it's safe to do so, interim president Geoff Payne said in a letter to students on Thursday.
The university made the decision to hold the online graduation ceremony to provide students with some certainty, Payne said. Not all students will be able to return to the campus once the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, he added.
"It was a difficult decision based on information provided by various public health agencies. We heard a number of suggestions of postponing to the fall or other dates but it is extremely difficult to pick a specific date because the future is unpredictable and we simply do not know if we'll be back to normal in the fall," Payne wrote. "Hearing your feedback and in acknowledgement of your challenging situation, I commit to holding a traditional face-to-face convocation for the Class of 2020 once we have received the green light to safely hold events under the guidance of federal and provincial health agencies."
UNBC graduates from all of the university's campuses – Prince George, Quesnel, Terrace and Wilp Wilxo'oskwhl Nisga'a – will be able to participate in the virtual ceremony. Graduates will be able to upload a personalized message, video or photo to connect with their classmates. All graduates' names and degrees will be called during the virtual ceremony, and all eligible students will still officially graduate and receive their parchment.
The university initially intended to cancel the in-person ceremony and only hold a virtual celebration for the 2020 graduating class. However, Payne said in his letter, he heard from students about the importance of an in-person convocation ceremony.
"I have heard you and appreciate the constructive and respectful feedback," Payne wrote. "Through the course of my updates over the past few weeks, I have asked you all to adapt and change in the face of uncertainty and commended your resolve. I, too, must be willing to adapt to change."
Payne committed to keeping graduates up to date with information about the convocation plans, when it is available.
"We understand this is a difficult and challenging time for all of our students, especially those in the Class of 2020 as they complete their final semester in alternate delivery modes," Payne said. "We appreciate their understanding and patience to adapt in this rapidly evolving situation. All of us at UNBC congratulate them on their achievements."
For more information about the virtual convocation, go online to www.unbc.ca/convocation.
