The University of Nevada will hold a graduation ceremony per usual, but it will not be in person.
UNR spokesperson, Kerri Garcia Hendricks tells us it was never an option to cancel graduation. In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Spring commencements will be held virtually.
They are scheduled for May 14, 15 and 16.
Garcia Hendricks says the school is still discussing details about how the virtual ceremonies will look.
However students have reacted quickly to the news.
A student set up a petition at change.org, and it's asking the University to postpone graduation until Fall, instead of holding an online ceremony.
"Given the health circumstances that's going on right now, I get it. But in my opinion and in many classmates, friends that I talked to, we all want it postponed. Because like I said we deserve to walk across that stage. And we deserve the recognition of all of the hard work that we've done," said Katie Turner, a soon-to-be UNR graduate.
The petition has gained thousands of signatures. But students that spoke with 2 News say even if they don't get to have an in-person ceremony, they are still proud of their academic achievements.
UNR Graduate Monica Vega, who is will soon be getting her second Master's Degree said, "Graduation itself for me, I think that means a lot more than the ceremony. I think the ceremony is a right of passage and it's great and everything. At the same time I think what's more important is still being able to get a degree at the end of it."
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