A message about commencement
Dear King Hall Community,
I am very sad to report that, in light of public health concerns about COVID-19 and various governmental and University of California directives, a live commencement at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts on May 16 will not be possible.
I know that this is a major disappointment for our students, their families and friends as well as for the faculty, administration, and staff. But, we do look forward to honoring our outstanding graduates later this year when it is safe for all to gather.
After receiving overwhelming feedback from the Class of 2020 in favor of postponing commencement and meeting with the Class of 2020 Commencement Committee, we are planning to have our traditional in-person ceremony in the fall but do not have a finalized date at this time. We are working on something to mark the May 16 date when Commencement 2020 had been scheduled.
If you have an active cap and gown and/or grad pack order, it will be canceled and refunded. Events Manager Onell Berrios will follow up with details about refunds.
We will keep you informed with updates, and we appreciate your patience through this process.
Please contact Onell Berrios at oaberrios@ucdavis.edu with questions.
My sincere apologies for the postponement of commencement. The decision was painful, yet consistent with our overall goal of promoting the health of all in our community.
Please see a message from Chancellor May below for an update about commencements across campus.
Stay safe and be healthy,
Dean Johnson
From the Desk of
Chancellor Gary S. May:
Dear UC Davis Community,
We wanted to share with you the message below that has been sent to graduating undergraduate and academic graduate students regarding the decision for Spring Commencement 2020. We know that this announcement is disappointing and are obtaining feedback from our students to create a virtual celebration and postponed in-person ceremony that honors this significant milestone.
As we begin spring quarter in these unprecedented and challenging times, we want to share with you our decision to move Commencement to a virtual celebration in June AND explore an alternate date - likely in December - to host a more traditional, in-person ceremony. Every year we eagerly await gathering for this time-honored tradition. We understand the impact of this decision and did not make it lightly.
With the extension of stay at home directives and rapidly evolving public health conditions, we believe the risk is just too great and do not want to jeopardize the health and safety of you, your families or our communities. We also wanted to communicate this decision as soon as possible so that students and families are able to cancel or avoid travel penalties at this time, and we promise to communicate any future plans with as much advance notice as possible.
While we are disappointed that we have had to make these changes, we are committed to celebrating your tremendous achievements. We recognize that this milestone represents years of hard work, sacrifice and dedication, and you deserve to be celebrated with your friends, professors, families and loved ones.
Thank you again for demonstrating such resilience, courage and care for each other as we continually take steps to respond to this situation. I am so proud to be leading this Aggie community.
Stay well,
Gary S. May
Chancellor