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TSU will have online Winter Commencement, but cancels in person ceremony

Written by on November 19, 2020

By KTSU2 News Service

TSU graduation ceremony. Photo via TSU

Texas Southern University announced on its website that online Winter Commencement exercises will be held November 20-22, but the in person ceremonies have been canceled due to COVID-19 safety alerts from Harris County.

TSU President Kenneth Huewitt said the safety of students, faculty and staff are paramount.

TSU President Kenneth Huewitt

“We were all hopeful for the hybrid option, but the dramatic nature of recent COVID-19 numbers in Houston and state of Texas have forced a change of plans, in the interest of health and safety,” Huewitt said in a statement.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said that the county has seem a dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases since September. She said the county is headed in a “troubling direction.”

The average number of daily cases has increased by 250% in Harris County since September, Hidalgo said.

The county currently has an alert level of one, which recommends that citizens leave home for necessities only and avoid crowds.

President Huewitt said that the University is committed to fighting COVID-19.

“As partners in the fight against COVID-19, we join our city, county, and congressional leaders in encouraging testing and safe health practices,” Huewitt said. “We join you in the disappointment of not having the in-person component of graduation.”

President Huewitt said the virtual ceremonies will be memorable.

“We look forward to celebrating with you and your families and friends as we see your names and messages on the big screen. Please note that ceremony times and speakers will remain the same for schools and colleges.”

This is the current schedule for ceremonies:

Winter 2020 Commencement Schedule

Friday, November 20, 2020 – Ceremony I
Thurgood Marshall School Of Law 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Saturday, November 21, 2020 – Ceremony II
College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Science – Commencement Ceremony Time 9:00 am – 10:30 am
Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs – Commencement Ceremony Time 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Jesse H. Jones School of Business – Commencement Ceremony Time 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
College of Education – Commencement Ceremony Time 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Sunday, November 22, 2020 – Ceremony III
College of Science, Engineering and Technology – Commencement Ceremony Time 9:30 am – 11:00 am
School of Communication – Commencement Ceremony Time 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences – Commencement Ceremony Time 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm