Spring Graduation 2021
At the end of February, Florida State University announced that it will hold in-person Commencement ceremonies for its Spring 2021 graduates. In efforts to facilitate ceremonies that are COVID-19 conscious, FSU will hold 11 smaller Commencement ceremonies in order to provide a safe environment for all students, faculty and staff, and guests. To read the full announcement from FSU about the in-person Spring 2021 Commencement ceremonies, click here.
Hopefully, by now, any students who anticipate graduating in Spring 2021 have officially applied for graduation as the deadline for this application was January 19, 2021. Applying for graduation is the first step, and here are some things you and your student should be aware of prior to graduation.
Order cap and gown. With Commencement taking place in-person this year, a cap and gown will be must-have items if your student plans on walking at their ceremony. The online order window for your student to order their cap and gown started February 1 and will go through March 19. This deadline might sneak up on your student, so don’t be afraid to remind them of this step of the graduation process. Check out more information about caps and gowns here.
Graduation tickets. For Spring 2021 Commencement ceremonies, each student participating in the ceremonies will have four guest tickets due to the limited seating at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. Students will receive more information regarding their guest tickets closer to graduation. To find more information about tickets, visit the Graduation Tickets page.
Graduation webcast. If your student has extended family and friends looking forward to viewing their graduation, FSU will also be providing a live webcast for those who are not able to attend. This option is great for family members or friends who aren’t able to travel or attend your student’s ceremony in person. When graduation occurs, this live stream will happen here.
Check out the Commencement Schedule. The 11 ceremonies will be held at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center over the course of two weekends: Saturday, April 17-Sunday, April 18, and Friday, April 23-Saturday, April 24. Plan ahead for any celebrations and family time by taking a look at the Commencement schedule so you know what time your student’s graduation is. View the Commencement schedule here.
To stay updated on information regarding Spring 2021 graduation ceremonies, visit https://commencement.fsu.edu.
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Have a 2020 graduate?
Florida State University will hold in-person commencement ceremonies for its 2020 graduates, President John Thrasher announced Wednesday.
“I know it was disappointing that we were not able to hold in-person commencement over the past year, and we have been waiting for the right time to honor you with a proper ceremony,” Thrasher wrote in a letter to 2020 graduates. “I’m thrilled to invite you back to FSU to celebrate this achievement alongside your fellow 2020 graduates, families and friends during an in-person graduation ceremony on the weekend of May 22-23.”
Ceremonies will be held at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center on Saturday, May 22, and Sunday, May 23. The ceremonies will allow for proper social distancing for our graduates who will be seated on the Civic Center floor, as well as four guests per graduate in the audience.
“We plan to retain many elements of our traditional ceremonies while taking the necessary steps to ensure that we can gather in the safest way possible,” Thrasher said.
Masks will be required for all graduates and guests. A condensed program will feature the reading of graduates’ names while they walk across the stage.
The number of ceremonies will depend upon how many 2020 graduates are interested in participating. Graduates will be informed of the date and time of their ceremony with a forthcoming announcement.
Due to the unpredictable nature of the pandemic, plans are subject to change. University officials will continue to monitor the situation and follow the guidance of federal, state and local officials.
The spring, summer and fall 2020 graduates were originally recognized in virtual ceremonies due to the pandemic.
All ceremonies will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person. For more information, visit https://commencement.fsu.edu/2020commencement. Class of 2020 graduates should RSVP by Friday, April 2, 2021, at https://fsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8nVYvGEFurNgP0a.