NORFOLK, Va. - All community colleges in Virginia will not hold May commencement ceremonies for graduating students due to the coronavirus.
Tidewater Community College spring Commencement Ceremony set for May 11 at the Chartway Arena is now canceled.
On Tuesday, Glenn DuBois, chancellor for Virginia’s Community Colleges, announced the cancellation of all May commencements due to recent CDC guidelines as the coronavirus risk rate rises.
The announcement is also in response to Gov. Ralph Northam’s state of emergency order.
“We will find an alternate and safe way to honor our graduates,” said Marian Anderfuren, TCC’s public information officer.
Tidewater Community College officials say the commencement committee will consider alternatives, such as rescheduling for the summer or holding a virtual commencement.
“What’s difficult is that the very things that make commencement meaningful also makes them dangerous in this pandemic,” DuBois said.
Locally, Thomas Nelson Community College would also fall under this announcement. The college has campuses in Hampton and Williamsburg.
