PROVIDENCE – Providence College and Newport-based Salve Regina University both announced Friday that they are postponing their respective commencement ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The two local colleges are the first in Rhode Island to announce such a measure in response to the outbreak. The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth announced recently it will cancel all events through the end of May, including commencement.
Commencements at Salve were originally scheduled for May 14 (graduate) and May 17 (undergraduate) on the Newport-based university’s campus. The university’s Commencement Ball will not take place, as well, as it was canceled by the “host hotel,” Salve President Kelli J. Armstrong said in an email to the Salve community. Salve is also canceling all Senior Week activities.
Armstrong said the university will “honor” the graduates’ accomplishments “during the months ahead,” and will share details of a new date as it becomes available.
Providence College’s commencement at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center was originally scheduled May 17. The college is also postponing its Reunion Weekend, originally scheduled for May 29-31. No new dates have been set at this time, PC said.
Both Brown University and the University of Rhode Island plan to announce next week the status of their respective commencement ceremonies.
Both Salve and PC also said Friday they are extending remote learning through the rest of the semester. PC “had hoped” to resume in-person classes on April 14.
Salve students can, by appointment, retrieve their belongings from residence halls by appointment starting March 25, Salve said, and students will have an option of keeping their belongings on campus through the rest of the semester.
Salve is also started analyzing “billable student charges” for the period and families will get information soon on the distribution of “prorated refunds” on room and board.
Other local colleges said this week that will also be issuing prorated refunds on room and board.
James Bessette is the PBN special projects editor, and also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You may reach him at Bessette@PBN.com. You may also follow him on Twitter at @James_Bessette.
This story was updated to include the postponement of Providence College’s commencement ceremonies.
