Commencements, cancellations, and reimbursements; What you need to know about the spring college semester

Nicole Brailer

5 years ago

(Photo by Jens Schlueter/Getty Images)

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) — Universities across the state have transitioned to an online platform with teleworking environments for the rest of the spring semester in an effort to adapt to social distancing and the coronavirus.

With that comes questions on commencement ceremonies, tuition and housing reimbursements, and cancellations all together.

Here is what we know so far.

Christopher Newport University

Classes: Classes will continue online for the remainder of the semester.
Reimbursements: A detailed breakdown of housing, parking, and dining rebates and amounts can be found online.
Commencement: Commencement Weekend is rescheduled for October 9–11, 2020 with Commencement Exercises on Sunday, October 11. Registration information can be found online.
Move-out: Student move-out from residence halls is suspended. More than 2,300 students have moved out already. The update can be read online.
Buildings: The campus remains closed to the public.
CNU coronavirus student information

Hampton University

Classes: Remote instruction will continue for the remainder of the semester.
Reimbursements: No information is available at this time.
Commencement: Upon the completion of all academic and financial requirements, degrees will be mailed to the graduating seniors’ permanent addresses. The 2020 Commencement is now scheduled for September 27, 2020, conditions permitting.
Move-out: The dates that have been set aside for students to retrieve their belongings are May 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Buildings: The campus remains closed to the public.
HU conronaviurs student information

Norfolk State University

Classes: Classes will continue online for the remainder of the semester.
Reimbursements: NSU will give students prorated credits to their accounts for unused parking, housing and dining benefits. More details here. The $130.00 commencement fee for Spring 2020 is eligible for a refund if the student does not wish to participate in a subsequent commencement ceremony. The $30.00 graduate fee is not refundable.
Commencement: The Spring 2020 commencement exercises will not occur on May 2, 2020. A team is reviewing options for students graduating; students will have the opportunity to participate in a subsequent commencement ceremony.
Move-out: Details to follow.
Meal plans: Those affected by the closure of on-campus housing will be issued pro-rated refunds for unused meal plan fees.
Additional resources: Students eligible for pro-rated refunds will have the option to apply it to the future semester.
NSU coronavirus student information

Old Dominion University

Classes: Classes will continue online for the remainder of the semester.
Reimbursements: ODU will provide nearly $8.4 million in 5,700 rebates to students for housing, meals, and parking for the spring 2020 semester. More info here.
Commencement: There are multiple options for graduates and families. The spring commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9, have been canceled. Old Dominion will reschedule commencement for a later date. Graduates and parents will be able to attend that ceremony either in person or virtually. Students who cannot participate in the rescheduled commencement may attend a future commencement either in person or virtually.
Move-out: details to follow.
Student employment: The university is working to keep students and graduate assistants employed for the remainder of the semester.
Additional resources: Students and faculty can refer to the following site for assistance with transitioning to online learning
ODU coronavirus student information

Rappahannock Community College

Classes: All in-person classes have been canceled. Instruction will be delivered online for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester as well as the summer 2020 semester.
Commencement: Originally scheduled for May 8, 2020, and the Nursing Program Pinning Ceremony, originally scheduled for May 7, 2020, are canceled. RCC may hold a commencement ceremony at a later date and that information will be communicated later.
Move-out: Beginning Monday, March 30, 2020, all campuses and sites will be closed (Glenns, Warsaw, Kilmarnock, King George, New Kent and Montross)
RCC coronavirus student information

Regent University

Classes: Classes will resume online until the end of the semester.
Reimbursements: Details to follow.
Commencement: University officials moved the commencement ceremony online.
Move-out: Students living on campus are asked to remove their belongings as soon as possible and no later than Friday, March 20 at 5 p.m. when the housing office closes. Details to follow.
RU coronavirus student information

Tidewater Community College

Classes: Remote instruction will continue through the remainder of the semester.
Reimbursements: Details to follow.
Commencement: Tidewater Community College will hold its 70^th Commencement exercises virtually on May 11 at 6 p.m.
Click here for more information on TCC’s plan in response to the coronavirus.

Virginia Tech

Classes: Classes will resume online until the end of the semester.
Reimbursements: Details to follow.
Commencement: Commencement ceremonies will be online at 8:30 a.m. on May 15. The university is inviting all graduating students and two guests to campus this fall to celebrate commencement with a senior tailgate, an “Enter Sandman” entrance into Lane Stadium, and tickets to the home football game. Graduates are also invited to participate in formal ceremonies on December 2020 or May 2021.
Move-out: Details to follow.
VT coronavirus information

Virginia Wesleyan

Move-out: Residents will not be able to return to campus April 6 as originally planned due to Gov. Northam’s stay-at-home order. The school is developing a staggered move-out “approach” that will allow students to safely collect their belongings. The school is working with students who need essential items such as academic materials, medications, medical devices, a spokesperson said.

William & Mary

Classes: Classes will resume online until the end of the semester.
Reimbursements: Partial refunds for room and board will be issued. Details to follow.
Commencement: Spring commencement will be moved in-person to Oct. 9-11, 2020. There will be a virtual ceremony on May 16 for all 2020 graduates. More information here.
Move-out: All residence halls are closed and a full move-out is planned for April 18 through to May 18. Details to follow.
Other information: Student Affairs will work with those that need assistance with personal evacuation. Contact deanofstudents@wm.edu for more info.
William & Mary coronavirus student information

More information on how Hampton Roads’ colleges and universities have been impacted.

This list will continue to be updated as information becomes available.