LIST: Nation's top universities cancel commencement ceremonies amid COVID-19 pandemic

A growing number of colleges and universities across the country have canceled or postponed their spring commencement ceremonies.

As of the time of publication, at least 25 colleges and universities had announced they are doing so, with more surely to follow as the coronavirus pandemic sweeps the nation, effectively grinding the economy to a sudden halt. 

The University of Michigan was the first major university to alter its commencement plans, followed by other major universities such as the University of Florida, the University of Georgia, and the University of Virginia. Changes to commencement plans have even extended to the Ivy League, as the University of Pennsylvania also announced it will not hold its traditional ceremony as originally scheduled. 

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These announcements come as President Donald Trump has asked Americans not to gather in groups of more than 10 people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued guidance advising that Americans limit gatherings to 50 people or fewer through mid-May, the height of commencement season. 

Campus Reform has maintained a running list of how colleges and universities are handling the COVID-19 pandemic with regards to commencement ceremonies but has also kept tabs on which colleges are forcing students to move out of their dorms and which have said whether they will offer refunds to students who are either forced to move out or choose to do so.

[RELATED: Colleges cancel commencement ceremonies amid coronavirus concerns]

Here’s where things stand as of about 11:30 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, March 18.

If you know of other colleges that have canceled their commencement ceremonies or moved online for the rest of the semester, let us know by emailing contact@campusreform.org.

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