Seniors at the University of Mississippi expecting to walk across the stage and receive their diploma in early May will have to wait a little longer.

In an email sent to students, faculty and staff, Ole Miss Chancellor Glenn Boyce announced the 2020 Commencement ceremonies have been postponed to an unspecified date, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Commencement in the Grove and other beautiful venues on our campus represents one of our most beloved traditions, and this is a sad but necessary for our University community,” Boyce’s email read. “The call on whether to hold Commencement ceremonies will be deferred in the hope that we can set a date for sometime later in the summer.”

The email went on to say the final decision will be “driven by public health considerations” and depending on how COVID-19 spreads in the coming months.

Boyce also announced Ole Miss will deliver all course content online or via other remote methods for the remainder of the spring semester.

“We came to this conclusion in keeping with the University’s highest priority of safeguarding the health and well-being of the university community,” Boyce said.

The University is working to figure out a plan for on-campus students to come get their belongings in the residence halls, but admitted the social distancing mandate by the Centers for Disease Control and efforts to avoid large gatherings are creating a challenge.

An appointment-based system will be announced by the University at a later date, according to Boyce. Students are not authorized to return to University Housing facilities until further notice.

“Our operating environment has many unknowns at this time, so the timeframe for these appointments will be dictated by public health considerations,” Boyce said. “All residence halls and rooms will remain locked until further notice, so your rooms will be secured.”

For more information, students and parents are asked to visit olemiss.edu/coronavirus.