First Coast

FAMU Reveals More Details On Virtual Graduation Plans, Begins Issuing Refunds

WFSU | By Lynn Hatter

Published April 20, 2020 at 12:49 PM EDT

FAMU Students cheer during a graduation ceremony (undated)

Some Florida schools are opting for online graduation ceremonies this Spring. Florida A&M university is offering its take on what those celebrations will look like.

FAMU’s online graduation is set for May 9^thand will be broadcast on YouTube. While students won’t be walking across a stage, the university’s Associate Provost for Academic Affairs Genyne Boston says they’ll still be acknowledged and names read aloud.

“All of our graduates will soon be receiving an email from stageclip, the vendor selected to serve as the producer for our virtual ceremony. Graduates who wish to participate...please make sure you submit a very nice headshot and a message of gratitude or some inspirational quote, once you receive this email," Boston said Friday during FAMU's online town hall.

The univerisity is trying to host an in-person ceremony at a later date. The deadline for students to apply for Spring graduation is Friday.

Beginning today, the school has started issuing refunds to students whose Spring semester was cut short due to the coronavirus.

Those living on campus who had to leave early are getting pro-rated refunds for housing and meal plans. The refunds will initially show up as a credit to student accounts. If students owe money to the school, the refunds will be first applied to the balance, and then paid out, says FAMU Chief Financial Officer Alan Robertson.

“Dispersements will begin on Monday, April 20^th and the refunds will be made as a direct deposit to your checking account if you’ve provided checking account information," Robertson said. "Otherwise, a paper check will be mailed Monday.

Florida’s public universities were ordered closed by the state university system governing board in March. The same board approved the issuance of refunds in April. Most schools will continue online classes for the Summer. FAMU students remaining in dorms will have to be out by May 2^nd.

Most students across the state university system are being given the option of requesting S/U grades instead of letter grades for the semester.