Colorado State University Pueblo Plans for In-Person Commencement Ceremony in 2021
Release Date: February 11, 2021
Colorado State University Pueblo announced plans for an in-person commencement ceremony for the May 8, 2021 ceremony. Currently the City of Pueblo is operating at level ‘Blue’ on the COVID-19 dial, which would allow for a limited in-person ceremony.
CSU Pueblo was unable to provide an in-person Commencement in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in-person event restrictions.CSU Pueblo remains in close contact and conversation with the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment (PDPHE) through all campus protocol as it relates to COVID-19 and campus operations.
"We are hopeful as we plan for an in-person commencement ceremony, especially because we worked so hard to bring this tradition back to our campus in 2019,” said CSU Pueblo President, Timothy Mottet. “Our Commencement team is keeping safety as a priority in the planning, by including our local public health experts in the conversation. We also remain flexible with a virtual component to be inclusive and safe for all those celebrating our CSU Pueblo graduates.”
Providing CSU Pueblo graduates the opportunity to walk across the state in their regalia is important to the leadership, faculty and staff at the university. Providing a more personal experience remains a priority with Commencement planning and celebrations.
This year’s Commencement is particularly special as it is a big step to triumph over the pandemic and return to some normalcy explained Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, Mohamed Abdelrahman. “Commencement is a special day for our students and their loved ones, our faculty, and all of us in the Pack family,” said Abdelrahman. “It is a significant milestone in the lives of all those who made that day possible. In academic affairs, we are excited to welcome our graduates on campus to participate in the ceremony, walk the stage and receive their diploma.”
Although the university acknowledges the risk of possible changes to the Commencement ceremony plans, the ceremony will incorporate both in-person and a virtual component.Graduates can create a slide when reserving their in-person or virtual seat for the ceremony.Spring graduates will receive additional information as it becomes available and have been offered an opt-in text platform for easily accessible updates. More information is available at the commencement website for new or current information.
At this time, it is uncertain if guests will be accommodated with the in-person ceremony, more details will be forthcoming.Much like the December 2020 Commencement ceremony, students who are unable to attend or do not feel comfortable doing so are able to participate with a virtual slide which is customizable. The virtual component will remain an alternate plan if the COVID-19 dial is moved to ‘Orange’, ‘Red’ or ‘Purple’ which would hinder an in-person ceremony to take place safely.
