Howard University has officially announced that its upcoming graduation ceremony for the class of 2020 is canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement issued Monday, Howard President Wayne A.I. Frederick declared that commencement ceremonies, class reunions and other large gatherings will be suspended for at least eight weeks.
“On Sunday, the CDC issued recommendations that for the next 8 weeks, organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States," Frederick said. "Although the CDC states that this does not apply to the day to day operations of institutions of higher education, we do not consider commencement a day-to-day operation. Given that Howard’s Commencement activities garner crowds of thousands, and the numerous elders and children regularly in attendance, we will cancel the event to avoid the potential for additional virus spread which would be problematic.”
A guest who attended the Howard University Charter Day Dinner on March 7 tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, the statement reveals. Due to the positive test, the president suggested all dinner participants report to their physicians if they begin exhibiting flu-like symptoms.
Frederick also announced that all in-person classes are canceled and Howard’s courses will continue online for the remainder of the semester.
“We will not return to face-to-face instruction of courses at Howard University for the remainder of the Spring, 2020 semester and courses will continue to transition to remote and online instruction following the scheduled Spring Break,” Frederick explained.
Residence hall closure will begin on March 22 at 11:59 p.m. Howard has indicated that it will try to work with its partners in regard to prorated refunds for room and board charges.
Frederick concluded his announcement to Howard University students by encouraging students to practice social distancing and follow state health guidelines.
“We will continue to share relevant updates for our community as the situation unfolds. As you leave campus, please continue to practice social distancing, self-isolate if you are not feeling well, continue checking the university’s COVID-19 page for updates and heeding counsel from DC Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” he said.
Nationwide, precautionary actions have been ramping up since Americans started contracting the coronavirus and the World Health Organization labeled it a global pandemic.
In Washington D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser has declared a state of emergency and a public health emergency, which has canceled all large non-essential gatherings. Public schools in D.C., Maryland and Virginia have also closed due to the coronavirus, WAMU reported.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday that New York, New Jersey and Connecticut would ban gatherings of 50 people or more, in an effort to contain the virus, Business Insider reported. Residential and commercial evictions were suspended indefinitely by New York state officials over the weekend as more than 700 people have contracted the disease, the most in the country, as Blavity previously reported.
