VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Officials at Valley City State University have postponed its spring 2020 commencement ceremony, originally scheduled for Saturday, May 16.

Citing public health and safety concerns, President Alan LaFave made the announcement in an email to the campus community March 31.

“Like so many of the other decisions we’ve needed to make recently, this one doesn’t come easy,” said President LaFave. “Celebrating the educational achievements of our undergraduate and graduate students and awarding them their diplomas is one of the most significant university events, befitting the traditional pomp and circumstance that accompanies the ceremony. But this year’s unique circumstances dictate that we delay that celebration.”

Although LaFave indicated that VCSU hopes to have an in-person ceremony at a later date, no specific date has been set for the event. Alternate plans for recognizing graduates at the end of spring semester are in the development stages.