Ithaca College decides to hold virtual commencement for Class of 2020 in August

ITHACA, N.Y. — Ithaca College will hold a virtual commencement ceremony for graduates in the Class of 2020 on Aug. 2.

Ithaca College President Shirley Collado made the announcement in a message and video sent to graduating students and their families.

In March, when the COVID-19 pandemic was still in its early stages, the college had considered holding an in-person ceremony during the first weekend in August.

“Although we remained hopeful, it is with a heavy heart that I share the decision that we will not be able to offer an on-campus commencement weekend in August,” Collado wrote. “The college’s commencement committee is working creatively to prepare a full and celebratory virtual commencement weekend for all of you on Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2. The committee is focused on ensuring that this weekend is engaging, vibrant, and dynamic.”

Collado said that the Class of 2020 officers have been working with the commencement committee in providing their input and opinions.

“I realize this is yet another twist in an already challenging time, and I want to thank you for your patience and understanding about our amended plans,” she wrote. “We were all holding out hope that an August on-campus celebration could work, but as this public health crisis has evolved, and understanding Ithaca College’s absolute commitment to fully complying with the New York Forward reopening plan and Governor Andrew Cuomo’s strong leadership, it has become clear that we cannot responsibly bring a large group for an event like this back to our campus in August.”

In addition to the virtual ceremony, Collado announced that the college plans to recognize the graduates in person at next year’s Alumni Weekend, scheduled for June 25-27, 2021. They will officially be welcomed into the alumni community with a series of celebrations that will include the traditional senior splash in the Dillingham fountains.

Alumni Weekend is typically held in October of each year, but the gathering has been moved to next June since holding such a large event this fall “would not be in the best interest of ensuring the health and safety of the alumni and campus communities.”

The college had previously announced that it will be delaying the start of in-person instruction for the fall semester until Oct. 5.