March 2, 2021
Re: Spring 2021 Commencement
To: All students, staff and faculty
March 2, 2021
Dear Campus Community,
While our COVID Response Center has been working hard to stem the spread of COVID-19 on our campus and readying us for a return to in-person operations as soon as possible through regular asymptomatic testing and the coordination of COVID-19 vaccinations , we are not yet at the point where gathering in large numbers is advisable.
In accordance with state and county guidelines and in consultation with senior leadership, the decision has been made to hold a virtual commencement ceremony this May.
We know this news will come as a disappointment to some of you who had hoped to celebrate this momentous occasion in person. This pandemic has required so much of us over the past year, but with case numbers continuously improving, we have good reason to hope that we will overcome it and return to in-person operations in the near future. In the meantime, however, our continuing focus is to ensure the health and wellbeing of our campus community and to safeguard as many as possible through taking proper precautions.
Similar to the Fall 2020 virtual commencement, we are planning an engaging and interactive virtual event this spring that will allow graduates, their families and friends and our entire campus community to celebrate this important rite of passage remotely. Each school will host their own ceremony where graduates will be individually recognized and receive personal remarks. Information and updates will be sent to graduates via their UC Merced email accounts and can be found at commencement.ucmerced.edu .
We have all adapted to new ways of living, learning and celebrating during the pandemic. The pride we take in this next step in our students’ journey, however, has never changed and we know it will be on full display this May.
Juan Sánchez Muñoz, Ph.D.
Chancellor
Gregg Camfield, Ph.D.
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
Remarks and Addresses
Academic Year:
