BUFFALO, N.Y. — SUNY Fredonia is the latest local college to make the tough decision to postpone its graduation ceremony.
The university says its 2020 commencement ceremonies were originally planned for May 16, but have since been rescheduled for August 8. Interim President Dennis L. Hefner says the new date was voted upon by Fredonia's class of 2020.
Canisius College also announced the ceremonies that were set for May 13 and 16 have been put off until October 10, when they're hoping everyone can get together.
This news comes after all of the Western New York community colleges postponed their commencement ceremonies earlier this week, though those ones haven't been rescheduled yet.
Seniors at Jamestown Community College and Niagara County Community College will have to wait to walk across the stage as they've postponed their graduation May ceremonies over coronavirus concerns, according to their websites.
Erie Community College canceled in-person graduation events scheduled for May, according to their website. College president Dan Hocoy said the school is working on an alternative plan to recognize the graduating seniors and will notify them in the coming weeks.
In March, Daemen College announced that the school is postponing their May commencement ceremonies because of COVID-19 concerns.
The school announced that graduation has been rescheduled for Saturday, August 15 at Kleinhans Music Hall. The undergraduate ceremony will take place at noon, followed by the graduate ceremony at 4:30 p.m.
Seniors and others set to graduate from Buffalo State College and the University at Buffalo will not don their caps and gowns this May either due to concerns of coronavirus.
In a statement to the Bengal community, college President Katherine Conway-Turner said the difficult decision was made in an effort to protect everyone involved from the COVID-19 outbreak.
"Please be assured, if you are on track to complete your degree this spring, you will graduate and go on to do amazing things in this world", said Conway-Turner. "But unfortunately, we must postpone our celebration together until a later time".
Given the ongoing crisis, she says it would be premature to discuss a future date and format, but will share with those affected when alternate plans can be finalized.
Read the complete text of President Conway-Turner's statement here.
The University at Buffalo announced Monday they will be rescheduling graduation as well.
The school's president, Satish K. Tripathi, issued this statement:
Out of concern for the health and safety of our campus community, the University at Buffalo’s May 2020 commencement ceremonies will not take place as scheduled. Plans to reschedule graduation celebrations are currently being developed. We will update our graduates and our entire campus community as soon as possible.
While we know this is disappointing news to UB’s Class of 2020 as well their families, friends and our university community, this is a necessary decision given the unprecedented circumstances we face. As we look forward to celebrating our 2020 graduates in a manner befitting their accomplishments, I thank you for your continued patience and understanding.