Spring ’20 Commencement Fair Postponed, Ceremony Still As Scheduled

By: Victor Jorges / News Director

Commencement, and everything that comes with it, is the end goal for many students — but the coronavirus pandemic is presenting a threat to that milestone. 

The Commencement Team sent out an email Thursday morning letting Class of 2020 graduates know that commencement fair had been postponed. This event is where students can pick up their friends and family’s tickets, take photos, and pick up their navy blue cap and gown. 

This comes after FIU moved to go fully-online through April 4. 

“I’m scared graduation might get canceled, or delayed,” said Emae Schlotterbeck, a senior majoring in psychology and minoring in dance studies. “I want to walk on stage, and if it gets delayed, it will be an issue for me since I’m traveling and moving to another state.”

She’s moving to California for grad school.

She believes that a good alternative to a traditional ceremony would be to “have small groups graduate — but just them, no outside friends or family,” she said.

However, the actual commencement ceremony where students cross the stage is still scheduled for April 25-29, and qualified students can still apply until March 15.

Because the ceremonies were scheduled for after April 4 from the start, they are not affected as of now.

“As of today, it is still on,” said Madeline Baro, director of Media Relations to PantherNOW on Mar. 13. “If that changes, it will be communicated to the university community.”

After a new date for the fair is determined, that information will be posted on the commencement website and emailed to graduates.

Schlotterbeck says that FIU is communicating efficiently, but it’s a different story with some professors.

“The majority of my professors already set up a class plan with detailed due dates, and online class time,” she said. “However, others have not even decided what would happen although it’s already been two days.”