University of Washington Keeps 2021 Commencements Virtual

SEATTLE — The University of Washington's Class of 2021 will have to celebrate their graduations virtually this June, marking the second year of pandemic-related disruptions to commencement ceremonies.

In an April 1 letter addressed to graduating students at the university's Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma campuses, UW President Ana Mari Cauce confirmed all sanctioned in-person college, school and department-level graduations would remain virtual, including the traditionally large ceremonies at Husky Stadium.

While Washington's Phase 3 guidelines allow for events at outdoor venues, capped at 25 percent capacity, university officials determined rising case counts and limited vaccination among university employees and students pose too much of a risk.

As The Daily reports, UW confirmed a fourth COVID-19 outbreak along Greek Row earlier in the week. Overall, case counts are on the rise in King County and across the state, particularly among younger adults who are less likely to have been vaccinated. As of Thursday, the university's coronavirus testing dashboard showed more than 70 new cases within the last 10 days.

UW's letter to students reads in part:

"Based on consultations with health experts, student leaders, and the University’s deans and chancellors, we determined regretfully that holding an in-person commencement ceremony in Husky Stadium — which in a normal year brings upward of 50,000 graduates, families and friends to the Seattle campus — or events throughout our facilities is simply not possible in the interest of public health. Rising case counts in recent days, along with the fact that the majority of the UW’s employees and students will likely not yet be fully vaccinated by commencement, make our conditions uniquely difficult and fluid when compared to other institutions around the country."

University leaders acknowledged the news may be disappointing for seniors who expected the return of more traditional celebrations this year and pledged make-up celebrations for students of both years when conditions allow.

Cauce continues:

"We know the lack of an in-person commencement is disappointing news for our 2021 graduates, as well as for the 2020 graduates whom we’d hoped to be able to recognize at an in-person ceremony this year. We are working on additional opportunities to celebrate our graduates during the traditional spring timeframe, as well as to recognize the achievements of the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021 in the future. We’ll share details later this quarter. And as was announced in January, we are planning to be back for largely in-person classes in the fall."

For now, the university has scheduled its interactive commencement celebration for June 12. The multi-hour digital event will allow students to share photos and messages with their friends and family, and access chat rooms and watch groups.

Learn more about the graduation plan for the spring quarter and read the full letter sent to students on the University of Washington website.