To: Wellesley College Class of 2021
CC: Families of the Class of 2021; Wellesley College Faculty and Staff
From: President Paula A. Johnson
Re: Planning for Commencement
Date: December 23, 2020
As we conclude our second fall term and our students begin a much-deserved break from their studies, I want to share our current thoughts about commencement for the class of 2021, which will be held on Friday, June 4.
I watched with relief and joy as the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine began here in Massachusetts and around the country last week. While this is an important milestone, it will still be many months until the vaccines are widely available. As a result, we anticipate that limitations on travel and in-person gatherings will extend well into the summer.
If we had to decide how to plan commencement based on current state guidelines, we would have to go with an entirely virtual program. However, we are optimistic that the public health situation will improve enough to allow us to host a celebration on June 4 that will include some kind of in-person event along with many virtual elements. At this time, we expect that we may need to limit the in-person event to seniors living on campus, as we don’t anticipate being able to safely bring December finishers and seniors living off campus, families, or friends to the College by June. We are not finalizing decisions about this now, but we will continue to monitor the vaccination rollout, and we plan to communicate our final plans by early March.
Whatever form commencement takes, we want it to reflect the spirit and the input of the class of 2021. The commencement planning group, made up of representatives from the Class Deans, Student Life, LTS, Special Events, Facilities, and Communications & Public Affairs, plans to meet with the senior class council starting in January and throughout the spring as we reimagine commencement for this year.
I am grateful for your patience and participation as we work together to create a celebration worthy of the green class of 2021.
