19
March
2020
|
14:52 PM
America/Chicago

COVID-19 Update: Update on Spring Commencement, Classes

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is postponing its 68th Commencement Ceremony (originally scheduled for May 16). Additionally, spring classes, which go online Monday, March 23, will remain online for the rest of the semester.

Other news related to the pandemic is that UHD’s off-site centers at UHD Northwest, Lone Star-Kingwood, and Lone Star-CyFair will be closed through April 6. Faculty, staff and students will not have access to these campuses. All classes offered from these locations will be online as of March 23.

As this pandemic continues to affect the region and our nation, UHD will continue to assess this developing situation and base decisions on the safest and best possible outcomes for faculty, staff, students, and the Houston community.

A new date for Commencement has not been identified, but the event is tentatively expected to take place in late summer or early fall. Information will be provided as soon as it is available.

The postponement of Commencement and the decision to deliver instruction fully online for the remainder of the Spring semester are UHD’s latest responses to COVID-19. Earlier this week, the University expanded both its telecommuting and travel policies. And, the institution continues to require UHD Community members to self-report any international travel since February 1, 2020.

Details on institutional policies related to COVID-19 and all communications on this topic can be found on the University Coronavirus website. Students, faculty and staff should monitor this website, and UHD email, since status and policies are subject to change as the situation evolves.

About the University of Houston-Downtown

The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.

U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.