March 17, 2020
Today, several additional key precautions were put in place for campus communities across our state to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The Florida Board of Governors, which oversees state universities, has directed UCF, along with the state’s other public universities, to extend our period of remote learning through the end of the spring semester. This important and necessary action will protect the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff.
UCF’s team of academic leaders and emergency and health officials has been working diligently for several weeks to make sure our campus could quickly respond to the growing threat of COVID-19, including this large-scale move to remote learning.
Fortunately, UCF has been a long-time leader in digital learning with faculty, staff and students who are among the country’s most innovative thinkers and doers.
Still, these circumstances bring unique challenges, and I encourage our students to work directly with their faculty members to help balance new demands and ways of learning for the rest of the semester.
No decisions yet have been made about the summer terms.
Commencement Ceremonies Canceled
Based on additional direction from the Board of Governors today, we will be canceling our commencement ceremonies scheduled for April 30 through May 2.
This is sad and disappointing news, but we recognize that these ceremonies could not move forward given the social distancing requirements. We understand that commencement ceremonies are a major milestone in the lives of our graduates and the loved ones who have supported them on their educational journey.
That’s why we are evaluating options to include the possibility of celebrating our graduates at a future time, and we will share more information as soon as it’s available.
In the meantime, cap and gown costs will be reimbursed by the vendor, Herff Jones. More information about commencement and reimbursements is available on UCF’s coronavirus website.
Remote Working
Faculty and staff who are working remotely should expect to continue to do so for the immediate weeks ahead. We will continue to keep you informed about remote working guidelines as decisions are made about campus operations for the remainder of the spring semester.
I know all of us realize that these decisions, while extremely difficult, must occur to help protect the health of both our campus community and our community as a whole. We are working hard to do all we can to maximize opportunities for learning and working during what is an unprecedented time in our global history.
This continues to be a quickly changing and evolving situation, and I am so thankful for everyone across campus — from our students to our staff to each of our faculty members — who are working together to make our community a place that prioritizes safety and each other’s well-being.
I know we will continue to persevere and to take care of ourselves, our loved ones and our fellow Knights!
With gratitude,
Thad Seymour Jr.
Interim President