SPRING COMMENCEMENT UPDATE

ECU intends to host in person spring 2021 university commencement ceremonies

East Carolina University intends to host multiple in-person university ceremonies at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on May 7 to recognize and celebrate the Class of 2021.

ECU plans to host multiple versions of the university ceremony to ensure compliance with all federal and UNC System guidelines regarding the evolving nature of COVID-19. Masks will be required by all graduates and attendees and social distancing guidelines will be strictly enforced.

Despite the easing of some restrictions by the North Carolina Governor’s Office, ECU will not host any in-person college or department ceremonies for spring 2021.

All ECU spring 2021 graduates, including those earning undergraduate, masters, doctoral and professional degrees, will be required to complete an RSVP form in order to participate in the commencement ceremony. Any graduating students who have not submitted an RSVP by April 9 will NOT be able to participate in the spring ceremony.

ECU is utilizing the required RSVP process at the direction of the Health Department to ensure safety protocols are followed. Students who have completed the RSVP will receive emailed instructions in April regarding how to submit a request to secure tickets for guests to attend the ceremony. The number of guests permitted for each student will be dependent upon how many RSVP responses are received.

INFO AND STEPS FOR #ECU21


• Complete the graduate RSVP before April 9, 2021 – If the graduate doesn’t complete the RSVP before April 9, the graduate nor the families/parents will be able to attend.

• Information about tickets for families/friends will be sent only to those that complete the RSVP process. This information will be sent to the graduates only and will provide details on securing tickets for family and friends.

• Additional details and information will be announced within two weeks of the ceremony and also posted on the commencement website.

The link is currently active for all graduates as well as on the ECU commencement website from March 5-April 9, 2021.

Note: A significant increase in COVID-19 cases in our area would require the university to reevaluate plans for in person ceremonies, regardless of how close the event date may be.

For questions about commencement or the RSVP process visit the Commencement site or email commencement@ecu.edu.


CLASSES OF 2020

ECU’s spring and fall classes of 2020 will be able to participate in the May 2021 ceremony, and ECU Alumni Association emailed additional information on March 8. It is copied below.

East Carolina University intends to host multiple in-person university ceremonies at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on May 7 to recognize and celebrate the Class of 2020 and the spring class of 2021.

We look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of the spring and fall classes of 2020 and are excited to welcome you back to campus.

ECU plans to host multiple versions of the university ceremony to ensure compliance with all federal and UNC System guidelines regarding the evolving nature of COVID-19. Masks will be required by all graduates and attendees and social distancing guidelines will be strictly enforced.

Despite the easing of some restrictions by the North Carolina Governor’s Office, ECU will not host in-person college or department ceremonies.

ECU’s spring and fall classes of 2020 will participate in the May 2021 ceremony. Here is the information you need to know as ECU alumni wanting to participate in the ceremony:

  • All members of the ECU spring and fall classes of 2020 must complete this RSVP link prior to April 9, 2021.
  • Note: there is a link for the Spring Class of 2021 and a separate alumni link for the classes of 2020. Please be sure you are completing the alumni version.
  • Anyone failing to complete the RSVP form by the deadline will not be permitted to participate.
  • Every participant and guest will be assigned specific seats for the ceremony they attend.
  • Due to health and safety measures being enforced, the classes of 2020 will be in a designated section in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium for seating. Seating capacities on the field are limited due social distancing guidelines.
  • Classes of 2020 are encouraged to wear their caps/gowns/regalia for the ceremony.

There is a possibility that the classes of 2020 may be able to secure tickets for family and friends to sit with them in the stadium. This will be determined based on the number of RSVPs received by April 9 and a communication will be sent to those who have RSVP’d after that date.

Note: A significant increase in COVID-19 cases in our area would require the university to reevaluate plans for in person ceremonies, regardless of how close the event date may be.

For questions about Commencement or the RSVP process visit the Commencement website or email commencement@ecu.edu.


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