University of Maryland President Darryll Pines addressed the options for spring commencement at a University Senate meeting Wednesday.
Pines presented four possibilities for the main spring commencement ceremony, three of which would involve an in-person component.
The first option is to have an in-person ceremony with approximately 4,000 graduates at Maryland Stadium, he said, instead of at Xfinity Center where commencement ceremonies are usually held. Pines said the university has sent a request to the Prince George’s County Health Department for use of the stadium, which has a capacity of 54,000 people.
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The second, which Pines said would have “a bit more density,” could include up to 12,000 people: 4,000 students, plus two guests per student in the stands.
Pines said the first option would be preferred, and the second option would be only if it was possible. The university is still waiting on guidance from the county, he said.
Commencement could also be virtual, as it was for the past two semesters, Pines said, or the program could include in-person components led by individual college deans.
