Western University postpones spring convocation

Western University has moved to postpone this year's spring convocation for all of its students to a future date in the fall.

"Our decision was made with guidance from public health authorities," Western president Alan Shepard saidin an online statement, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic that forced the university to move classes online last week.

"We realize this will come as an enormous disappointment to our graduating students."

All spring convocation dates scheduled between May 22 and June 19 have been cancelled.

Students who were supposed to graduate thisspring will still be granted their degrees, the university said.

It added it would commit to planning a future convocation ceremony "after the threat of the pandemic has safely subsided."

Update for graduate students

The university has also promised that funding commitments already made to graduate students will be honoured.

Students in graduate programs where internships or placements have been disrupted will not have to pay any tuition costs associated with them, the university said.

Earlier this week, the university moved to an essential servicesmodelwhere only employees considered essential would continue working on campus. All buildings on campus have closed, with the exception of student residences.

In-person classes had already been cancelled and students moved to online learning on March 18.