September 8, 2020

Dear Class of 2020,

I hope your time since attending the University of Miami has been prosperous and that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy during these unprecedented times.

Like you, we were disappointed that we could not host Commencement in May, however, we are committed to hosting in-person ceremonies for you in December. This message is to update you on our current plans and ask for you to RSVP if you plan to attend our in-person ceremonies in December. 

Revised dates

Due to the revised fall semester academic calendar, all December commencement ceremonies will take place one week earlier than previously announced. If public health guidelines in place at the time allow us to proceed as planned, our fall ceremonies will be held on December 10 and 11. 

Thursday, December 10, 2020

• spring/summer 2020 doctoral and master’s degree graduates

Friday, December 11, 2020

• spring/summer 2020 graduates from the School of Law and Miller School of Medicine
• spring/summer 2020 bachelor’s degree graduates

Ceremony details

In addition to revised dates, we are exploring alternate venue locations—both on and off campus—to comply with physical distancing and other public health guidelines. Likewise, we expect to institute a guest ticket policy, limiting the number of guests a student can invite.

We understand that some of you may face personal or family-related health concerns, international travel restrictions, an insufficient number of guest tickets, or other challenges that do not permit you or your loved ones to join us in person this December. For those graduates and loved ones unable to attend in person, live streams of all ceremonies will be available.

More information regarding ceremony times, location, and guest tickets will be available in the coming weeks. Therefore, we strongly encourage you and your loved ones to avoid making non-refundable travel arrangements until we have confirmed these details and communicated them with you.

RSVP form

All spring/summer 2020 graduates are required to complete the RSVP form to indicate whether or not you plan to attend your ceremony. The form is now open and the deadline to RSVP is October 8.

Cap and gown

All graduates must have their cap and gown to participate in the ceremony.

• If you already received your cap and gown, please remember to bring it with you in December.
• If you need to order your cap and gown, after completing the RSVP form, a link will be provided to you to visit the website where you can place your order. Your cap and gown will be delivered directly to you, and you are only responsible for the shipping fee. The deadline to order cap and gown is October 8, 2020.

More information

The Office of Commencement will continue to post updates on its website at commencement.miami.edu and will send updates to your University email address as more details become available.

I look forward to celebrating all your achievements with you and your families in December.

See you soon and go ’Canes,

Patricia A. Whitely
Vice President for Student Affairs