App State announces a virtual commencement in May
March 20, 2020
This story has been updated with additional information.
App State has officially announced Friday that May’s commencement will be virtual. May graduates will have the option to participate in the December 2020 commencement.
“There are many details to work out, but please know my leadership team and I are committed to preserving, to the greatest extent possible, the essence of the celebrations and milestones of the final weeks of the Spring semester, including commencement,” Chancellor Sheri Everts wrote in an email sent to students. “We don’t know exactly what that will look like, but we are working hard on virtual solutions.”
The move comes after UNC System President Bill Roper said there is a “increasing likelihood that spring graduation ceremonies will be disrupted” at a special Board of Governors meeting Friday. He said university chancellors will make plans for their respective university on how to celebrate commencement.
ECU has also moved toa virtual commencement ceremony for May, but there are discussions for an in-person event later in the year for ECU, according to WITN.com.
“Many of us have loved ones who are attending other UNC System institutions. We find ourselves comparing methods and messages,” Everts wrote. “Your university administrators are in regular contact with their counterparts across the system and in the System Office. We are following System guidance together and applying it to our campuses in the ways that make the most sense for each of our situations.”
Everts also made the following announcement in her campus wide email:
- 160 students who met the criteria to stay on campus will remain in their residence halls. Residence halls have been thoroughly cleaned, and only residents are allowed in the buildings.
- Reduced staffing for facilities means the university is operating under limited capacities. Academic classroom and office buildings, the student union, and university libraries are keeping their core services available, but some buildings will be key-or card-access only.
- Dining facilities are on a reduced schedule, and takeout only.
- Faculty and students, who are accustomed to face-to-face interaction, will be teaching and learning online.
“It has taken tremendous effort on the part of our faculty to make this move and they have proven yet again to be selfless and adaptive professionals,” Everts wrote about online classes. “It will not be a seamless transition, and as we work out the kinks together, it will be important to be patient and recognize we are all working alongside one another to provide the best possible academic experience for our students.”
Everts said the university will continue to send emails with updates and changes. Those can also be found on the App State coronavirus website.
“Our Mountaineer resiliency is being tested. We will continue to rise to these challenge,” Everts wrote. “Your resourcefulness, ingenuity and hope bolster the entire Appalachian Community as we find our way, and I am encouraged by your determination and creativity.”
Weslyn • Mar 22, 2020 at 7:49 am
As a parent of a rising junior, I would be so saddened by this. These kids, now young adults worked so hard for their moment to graduate with their peers! Please, reconsider a graduation ceremony when the pandemic is over, not in December! And go on with the virtual one, just let them have their special time too! I am sure parents and loved ones of these graduates would gladly appreciate the opportunity. And I am NOT speaking as a a parent of a 2020 graduate, but one who would be devastated if this was her year! Stay well everyone!
Amber Olive • Mar 21, 2020 at 10:49 pm
A “virtual commencement” is a joke. This shouldn’t even be a part of the discussion. Appalachian should absolutely be postponing graduation until further notice. Think about the out of state & international students who will not be in NC in December. Is the December graduation supposed to be 6 hours long? You’re giving us the “option” to walk on December. Thanks Chancellor! Maybe you should send out an email to update your students. You dropped the information of our graduation being cancelled in a broad campus wide email. What a joke. You and your team should be disappointed.
Gina • Mar 21, 2020 at 2:34 pm
As a parent of a senior, I ask that you postpone graduation, not have a virtual graduation. My daughter worked hard to walk across that stage. I understand the students will be allowed to walk in December, but that is such a let-down to have to wait that long and many students may have moved on by then. They want to walk with their class, their friends! They deserve this moment. Plan something for June or July!
Brenda Shackleford • Mar 20, 2020 at 4:34 pm
I have a granddaughter who is a Senior at another university in SC. We are heartbroken about the possibilities that lie ahead. I think it is awesome that you are giving options, and as an administrator I appreciate the agony that you are going through in these unprecedented times. I saw another university in the nation who canceled everything with the president saying he would allow them to come in later and take pictures with a cap and gown and pat them on the back. Your options are much more caring and will require endless work and agony on everyone there. Thank you for doing everything in your power to keep the students and your staff safe. Everything else is in God’s power
Sam • Mar 20, 2020 at 4:24 pm
Parents save for years for college, kids work hard for their grades and literally count down the days til graduation with their friends and family. We know APP as a warm, small town, personal experience. Virtual commencement is the opposite of that. Come on APP you can do better than this. Postpone.
Shelley • Mar 20, 2020 at 3:40 pm
I find the idea of virtual horrible and a real let down for these graduates! Move the date but give thes graduates and their families the respect they deserves!
Virtual is just not going to cut it! As an alum of Appalachian I am now embarrassed to claim what I once thought to be the best school as my school!