In an email to graduating seniors Wednesday morning, ETSU asked all graduates to complete a survey to RSVP for commencement in order to help plan a safe, in-person ceremony May 8 and 9.
“We are planning for an in-person ceremony for May,” ETSU spokesman Joe Smith told the East Tennessean. “In terms of the number of ceremonies, we just don’t know yet. That’s part of the reason why we are doing this survey is to assess interest. So, we’re in the planning stages, but we can confirm that we are planning for in-person graduation ceremonies in May 2021.”
This opportunity comes after both the spring and winter 2020 commencement ceremonies were held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 graduates—who were told they would be offered the opportunity to eventually attend an in-person commencement—also received an email Wednesday, being extended the opportunity to return for an in-person ceremony.
“We know this past year was not what we all envisioned for the ending of your academic career, but we want to invite you back to campus for an in-person ceremony,” the email said.
Spring 2021 graduates must fill out the RSVP survey by Feb. 24 at 4:30 p.m. to be able to participate. Spring and winter 2020 graduates must complete the survey to RSVP by Feb. 22 at 4:30 p.m.
According to the email, the university will announce location, ceremony times and the number of guest tickets provided to each graduate by March 5.
