As schools cancel commencements, UD waiting to decide

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, local college and university students are having to deal with their last months of the school year looking different than they anticipated — especially seniors.

“We just got the message yesterday that we had to get everything out by Friday,” said Beth Metcalf, a Wright State senior studying finance. “I was really sad because my roommate lives in a different state so we didn’t expect to have to say goodbye so quickly.”

Students from area campuses are packing their belongings to head home almost two months before the expected end of the semester, but he University of Dayton is waiting to make an official call regarding commencement ceremonies.

Tuesday evening, Wright State announced it has postponed spring commencement.

“To be sure, the university will hold a graduation celebration for the class of 2020, on a date yet to be determined,” WSU President Sue Edwards said.

Sinclair on Tuesday canceled its May 3 commencement ceremony.

“We are saddened to share that Sinclair’s commencement ceremony will not take place this year,” said Sinclair President Steve Johnson. “While this ceremony must be interrupted this year, we want our graduates to know that we are so proud of their accomplishments.”

Johnson said a special package is being prepared to be sent to each student that the university hopes conveys how proud it is of its students.

Clark State has also pushed back its commencement until Aug. 15.

“We know that these are critical times for students, and we will continue to be diligent in ensuring and supporting their success during this unprecedented situation,” Clark State President Blondin said. “We also wish to alleviate the uncertainty around important campus milestones such as graduation and reassure students and employees that we will return to normal operations as soon as possible.”

Cedarville University public relations director Mark Weinstein said commencement scheduled for May 2 has not been canceled, but the president and university cabinet are meeting today to discuss next steps.

“We are especially empathetic toward seniors, understanding how important this last semester is for all of you,” said UD President Spina in a letter addressed to students earlier this week. “No one wants to end the semester with an empty campus, and many of us would join you and your fellow classmates in tears if that happened. We plan to hold off on any significant decisions as long as we can and allow public health officials to guide us about a date when students can return to campus.”

Spina said if a decision did need to be made at some point to cancel commencement, the university will try to find a future date to gather the seniors back on campus for a graduation celebration.

As spring breaks end for students, online instruction is beginning and students are making plans to complete course work from home.

Wright State students have been informed that all on-campus residents will be required to move all belongings out and return keys by Friday. Students who need additional time to make arrangements have until Monday at 5 p.m. to be moved out.

“We expect to receive requests to remain in student housing for a variety of reasons,” said Seth Bauguess, WSU director of communications. “The university will continue to offer limited services to those who have been determined eligible to remain.”

Online instruction began for WSU on Monday.

The majority of students left the University of Dayton’s residence halls and houses last week, according to Cilla Shindell, UD executive director of news and communications. Students are currently on spring break before online learning begins Monday.

have been working individually with students who are unable to leave campus housing,” Shindell said.

On-line course instruction for Central State students begins March 23.

“We realize that many international students and Fulbright Scholars were unable to navigate quick international travel in such a short period of time,” read a letter to CSU students from President Cynthia Jackson-Hammond.

CSU resident halls will be kept open for those students who need to figure out special accommodations, Jackson-Hammond said. It is expected, though, that all students, domestic and international, will be returning to their homes by the end of this week.

On-campus operations at Wilberforce University ceased on Monday and will remain closed until March 31, according to the university website.