For the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Michigan State University will hold in-person outdoor commencement ceremonies. The first events begin on Friday.
There will be 55 commencement ceremonies across the MSU campus over the next three weekends.
They’ll take place in the parking areas of the Breslin Center, Spartan Stadium, the auditorium and Erickson Hall.
Social distancing protocols will be followed, and masks will be required.
Senior Vice-President for Residential and Hospitality Services Vennie Gore says each event will feel like an outdoor concert.
“So, it will still have the pomp and ceremony stance that you would expect from graduation, but done in a safe way outdoors,” says Gore. “So, we’re pretty excited about it.”
Each student may invite up to two guests to their commencement.
Gore says with some 5,100 graduates, MSU is expecting to host about 16,000 people over three graduation weekends.
