UTSA announces May 2021 Commencement plans

MARCH 19, 2021 — The University of Texas at San Antonio today announced plans for Commencement activities to recognize May 2021 graduates, as well as graduates of the Class of 2020.

In-Person Commencement ceremonies

In-person Commencement ceremonies for May 2021 graduates will be held May 14-16.

In-person ceremonies for graduates who earned their degrees in May 2020 and December 2020 will be held the following weekend, May 21-23. These ceremonies will be college-based and will be held at various locations on the Main Campus.

As always, the health and safety of UTSA students, staff and faculty remain the university’s top priority. While this semester’s ceremonies will look different than in past years, they will include many traditional aspects to honor graduating students combined with additional events to allow for family participation.

For example, graduates participating in the in-person ceremonies will have their name called while they walk the stage, with opportunities for official photographs. Many students have indicated these are the most important elements of Commencement.

Additional ceremony details:

• To promote the safety of graduates and volunteer organizers, only graduates will participate in the ceremonies; guests will not be permitted.
  
  
• All ceremonies will be livestreamed for the benefit of family and friends, and recorded and posted online for later viewing and sharing.
  
  
• Graduates will have their photos taken at the ceremony.
  
  
• Seating for graduates will be physically distanced per current campus guidelines, and masks will be required of all participants and support staff (except during official photos).
  
  
• Caps and gowns will be required for all graduates. Information on ordering regalia through Grad Fest, which will be held virtually March 30, will be emailed to all eligible graduates early next week.
  
  
• A full list of procedures is available on the Commencement website.

Virtual Commencement

UTSA will continue to host a fully virtual celebration for all graduates, including those who do not wish to participate in in-person ceremonies, as was done for May 2020 and December 2020 graduates, through a partnership with MarchingOrder.com.

Family participation

UTSA recognizes the important role families and friends have played in students’ success and will provide opportunities for guests to come to campus to take part in the commencement celebration.

• Guests are welcome to either join or observe the Commencement Drive on May 14. This new tradition, launched in May 2020, has been very well received as a celebratory activity that family and friends can enjoy with their graduates.
  
  
• The Student Union Ski Lodge will be set up as a traditional commencement stage from April 4 to May 12. Graduates will be able to use this space for photos and are welcome to bring along guests.
  
  
• Students’ families are always welcome to visit campus and use landmarks such as the Roadrunner Statue and UTSA Monuments as backdrops for your graduation photos.
  
  
• Finally, per our customary practice, any UTSA graduate who wishes to participate in a future in-person ceremony with guests may do so. Contact commencement@utsa.edu for more information.

All eligible students will be receiving more details on all these events in the days to come.

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