President Scott Green and Provost and Executive Vice President Torrey Lawrence provided updates on COVID-19 testing and spring graduation ceremonies in an email April 26.
Out of 503 tests the past week, 5.37% were positive. Green and Lawrence stressed that this was to be expected.
“We are testing fewer people overall with the increase in vaccinations,” the email states. “Therefore symptomatic people and close contacts are a larger part of our reduced weekly testing results.”
Green and Lawrence believe most of these positive cases to be from those living off campus.
The university’s positivity rates have steadily been rising since returning from spring break with 0.35% March 20-26. The previous week of April 10-16 found a 4.01% positivity out of 474 individuals tested.
Commencement has been adapted this spring, enabling both in person and virtual attendance. The ceremonies will celebrate both 2020 and 2021 graduates.
There will be six commencement ceremonies in Moscow at the Kibbie Dome. There will also be one graduation ceremony in both Idaho Falls and Boise. The six Moscow ceremonies will take place May 15-16, graduates separated by college.
Graduates will be allowed six tickets for guests. To accommodate for COVID-19 safety protocols, guest seating will be assigned and socially distanced with temperature checks at the entrance. Sanitization of the dome will take place between ceremonies.
In further measures, graduates will not shake hands with administration members. Doctoral and masters graduates will not be hooded by professors, but are expected to arrive wearing hoods. More details on graduation can be found on the Spring Commencement page.
“With just three weeks until commencement, it is as important as ever to remain committed to the Health Vandal Pledge,” the email states.
Haadiya Tariq can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @haadiyatariq