Earlier today, graduating students received a letter from the President of the University of Toronto with the news that the University is planning a Spring 2020 celebration that will pair a virtual Convocation ceremony with subsequent in-person graduation ceremonies hosted by each Faculty, including the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education.
A virtual Convocation will be broadcast on or before June 2, 2020. That ceremony will incorporate the core elements of a Convocation ceremony and will meet the legal requirements for the Chancellor to confer degrees for all graduates. All of the degrees will be conferred in absentia as our graduands will not be physically present to accept their degrees. Following the ceremony, diploma parchments will be couriered to each graduate.
I am excited to confirm that when it is once again safe to gather on campus, our Faculty will host our in-person graduation ceremony, including academic regalia, congratulatory remarks from our academic leaders, a graduation speaker and recognition and presentation of each graduate who is able to attend. I sincerely hope that most of our graduands - and their guests will be able to join me and our professors and staff for a much deserved celebration of their 2020 graduation!
The in-person Faculty graduation ceremony will likely happen sometime after September 1, 2020, when the public health situation has stabilized.
One of the most gratifying aspects of working at the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education is the opportunity to be engaged with students, and particularly so through in-person interactions. I miss them immensely; so, it feels really good to think about the planning of this happy event. I am looking forward to the celebration and to seeing our 2020 graduates there!
Sincerely,
Ira Jacobs
Dean, Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education
University of Toronto