COVID–19 — Update on UBC’s spring graduation ceremonies

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Following my message in March informing you of our plans to hold a virtual spring graduation, the university has been working hard to design an occasion that will do justice to the achievements of the Class of 2020.

Earlier today, I sent a message to our graduating students, sharing details of this celebration. I would now like to share our plans with you.

Graduation for the Class of 2020 will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2020. We will hold one ceremony for students graduating from UBC Vancouver and one ceremony for students graduating from UBC Okanagan. The virtual ceremony will include many elements of a traditional ceremony and some unique ones as well.

I know what an important event this is for our faculty members, in particular, to see our students successfully completing their years of study. While I understand this virtual ceremony will not be the same as seeing our students graduate in person, it is an opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate their outstanding achievements.

Being a virtual ceremony also means it can be opened up to our entire community, so I encourage you, whether you know someone who is graduating or not, to join us. During these unprecedented times, it is more important than ever that we stay connected, support and celebrate each other. I would also like to reiterate that UBC is committed to holding an in-person graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 when it is safe to do so.

More details of the virtual ceremony will be shared online in the coming weeks. Please visit graduation.ubc.ca (UBC Vancouver) or graduation.ok.ubc.ca (UBC Okanagan) for more information.

Santa J. Ono
President and Vice-Chancellor


This message was sent to faculty and staff in Vancouver and the Okanagan.

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