Board of Trustees Vote to Postpone Commencement Until After June 1

University Relations

Students at commencement exercises in 2018.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees voted Thursday, March 19, to postpone all spring commencement ceremonies until after June 1. All other University of Arkansas campus events have already been canceled for the remainder of the semester due to concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

This postponement only affects commencement ceremonies. U of A graduation processes and the conferring of degrees will proceed as normal.

"I promise you, we know how important commencement is to our students, parents, families and friends as well as our entire university community," Chancellor Joe Steinmetz said. "With that in mind, we will continue to assess all options to recognize our graduates for what is one of life's most important and meaningful accomplishments. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we deal with this unprecedented situation together." 

The university's commencement committee will continue to assess the situation and provide an update regarding commencement ceremonies later this spring.

Please continue to check the university's Coronavirus Update site for updates.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among fewer than 3 percent of colleges and universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.