Early Bird

Spring Commencement to be rescheduled

In keeping with statewide event-restriction recommendations, the ceremony will be postponed.

By Lindsey Coulter

March 18, 2020

As Metropolitan State University of Denver makes every effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 throughout our community, University leaders have elected to postpone all spring Commencement ceremonies. This decision is in keeping with Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock’s directive to avoid gatherings of 50 or more people for the next eight weeks. Stricter guidance has also been shared on the state and federal levels.

As such, MSU Denver will reschedule Commencement celebrations – including specialty ceremonies such as the African & African American Graduation and Latinx Graduation – to ensure that the accomplishments of our outstanding students, supported by the efforts of our dedicated faculty and staff, do not go unrecognized. While those ceremonies are postponed, this will not delay the awarding of degrees for those students who successfully complete their degree requirements by the end of the spring semester.

This was a very difficult decision, and we share our students’ disappointment. Commencement celebrations are the pinnacle of our academic year and an opportunity to applaud the hard work and tenacity of our graduates. We understand that many Roadrunners and their families have already made related travel arrangements, and while we regret the inconvenience this causes, the University will remain committed to safety and public-health best practices.

As far as regalia that has already been ordered for the postponed spring ceremonies, the vendor Herff Jones will provide full reimbursement on unused, unopened regalia. View Herff Jones cap and gown policies and announcement policies on their website. Information will be shared regarding future orders after details of the rescheduled ceremonies are determined.

We appreciate the campus community’s patience as we determine next steps. Please stay tuned to the Commencement website for more information as it is available.