The Office of the University Registrar (OUR) announced the current plans for commencement exercises of 2020 and 2021 graduates.

In a letter sent to Far Eastern University Central Student Organization (FEUCSO) President Arnold Kristoff Luzon dated April 28, the OUR emphasized the priority on the safety of the students and faculty. 

“However, due to the spike of active [coronavirus disease 2019] COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region, FEU-OUR will not be able to organize a face-to-face commencement exercise for the graduating batches of 2020 and 2021,” the letter cited. 

University Registrar Dr. Gerald L. Villar added that the decision is based on the guidelines of the  Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Disease on the prohibition of mass gatherings. 

“The prudent and wise alternative is to hold an online graduation ceremony for graduates of batches 2020 and 2021.”

However, Villar stated the possibility of the OUR to lead a traditional graduation ceremony for the two batches once the restriction on social gatherings is lifted.

Several institutions had previously conducted virtual graduation rites including the '#OneFEUBatch2020' last year during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic which included 2,661 graduates from FEU Manila. 

The University has yet to announce further details on the virtual graduation ceremony of this year’s graduating batch. 

Currently, the Greater Manila Area is under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) until Friday, May 14. 

-Antonio Luis Carreon

(File photo from FEU Advocate's coverage of 91st Commencement Exercises)