University of Maryland News

Winter Commencement Rescheduled to January 24, 2010

University of Maryland Campus Community:

Never before in the history of the University of Maryland have we faced a situation like the one confronting us now in which severe and ill-timed weather forced the cancellation of commencement exercises. This record-breaking December snowfall wreaked havoc on the entire region, including our final exam schedule and our cherished tradition of a December commencement ceremony for our August and December graduates. In fact, with blizzard conditions in some local areas, Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson made this plea to the public:

"People are not to be on the road. The police will be turning them back. It's requiring too much of our public safety services. We want to focus on people who need to go to the hospital. People are not to leave home. No matter where they are, we are going to have them go back. The conditions are too awful."

Considering primarily the risk to public safety, we could not in good conscience hold commencement exercises on the scheduled dates of December 19 and 20. There were other factors in reaching the decision not to reschedule the ceremony in the next few days. Many students and their families have already left town for the holidays, as have many campus personnel. Countless others are trapped in neighborhoods with unplowed streets. In addition, the University is scheduled to close this coming Wednesday for two days of furloughs for all employees, followed by the already scheduled winter break from December 25 through January 4. Most importantly, however, we are unable at this point to ensure a safe environment on campus. Although our grounds and facilities staff have been working exhaustive, around-the-clock schedules, the task of cleaning up after this massive storm is overwhelming. Despite our best efforts, parking lots, steps, and sidewalks are still impassable.

All of us at the University deeply regret that the joyous celebration of commencement, after many years of hard work and significant expense on the part of our students and their families, had to be cancelled. This was not an easy decision, and we share your frustration and disappointment. We are fully aware that nothing we can do will make adequate amends for the distress this has caused and for the dashed hopes and expectations for this milestone event in your family's history. Nonetheless, in response to your many expressions of concern, we have been working hard to make an attempt at redress. We offer the following two options for our August and December graduates.

1. SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010

One combined campus-wide commencement ceremony will be held on Sunday, January 24, 2010, at 1:00 p.m., in the Cole Student Activities Building during which all graduates will be recognized, both as a group and individually. We have created a website on which you may register to attend and receive further detailed instructions: http://www.commencement.umd.edu/information/information_rescheduledform.cfm. If inclement weather forces another cancellation, this program will not be rescheduled, and graduates will be invited to the May ceremonies.

2. THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, MAY 20 - 21, 2010

If you are not able to participate in the rescheduled January ceremony, you are invited to participate in both the campus-wide commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 20, at 8:00 p.m., in the Comcast Center, as well as the individual college graduation ceremonies on Friday, May 21, at locations to be announced. Further information about this option will be provided later in the spring semester.

We sincerely hope that one of these options will be convenient for you and your family. Please note that you may choose only one of these two options, not both.

It may offer little consolation and it may seem inadequate, but I offer my heartfelt regret for these unforeseen circumstances. On behalf of the University, I assure you that we highly value our students and their families, and we celebrate your achievements. We hope that you will be able to look beyond this unfortunate memory and take pride in being a Terp!

Sincerely yours,
Nariman Farvardin
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

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This note was authorized for distribution to University of Maryland Community by: Nariman Farvardin, Provost