Montclair State Postpones Graduation Ceremony Amid Coronavirus

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair State University is postponing its annual commencement and graduation ceremonies as the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 spreads in New Jersey.

On Monday, MSU administrators said the 2020 commencement and graduation convocations are being put on ice due to COVID-19. It’s unclear when – or how – the university will hold the events.

“It is now absolutely clear that, in order to protect the safety of the university community and others, and in accordance with Gov. [Phil] Murphy’s executive orders, it will not be possible to hold these events in May as planned,” MSU President Susan Cole wrote in a letter to the school community.

Cole said the university isn’t “canceling” the events, just “postponing” them.

“Because of the current health crisis, it is simply not possible to say when or how we will have these celebrations,” Cole stated. “What I can say is that, once the end of the health crisis is in sight, we will put a plan in place to let the class of 2020 know how proud we all are of their accomplishments and to provide the opportunity for the celebration that they deserve.”

“For now, I hope you will all focus on completing your academic work this term, and, for those of you scheduled to graduate in May, even though we will not have the ceremony then, your degrees will officially be earned then,” Cole concluded.

• See related article: Montclair State Keeps Residence Halls Open (Coronavirus Update)

PASS/FAIL GRADING AT MSU

The university will also be rolling out pass/fail grading options due to the coronavirus, administrators announced Monday.

According to MSU officials:

“Undergraduates will have the option to choose between receiving traditional letter grades or taking classes as PASS/FAIL, with the exception of a very few courses in accredited programs. Students will have until Monday, May 4 to choose.”

"We hope that these changes will help students successfully complete this semester and alleviate some of the uncertainty brought on by this unprecedented moment in our history," Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Willard Gingerich said.

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