CARBONDALE, Ill. (WJPF) — SIU Carbondale will hold in-person commencement exercises this spring.

Chancellor Austin Lane says a three-day event, scheduled for May 7-9, will honor both 2020 and 2021 graduates. Last year, about 3,000 graduates who could not have in-person ceremonies were invited to attend a future in-person celebration. This year, about 2,000 students are earning their degrees in May.

The May ceremony will be held at Saluki Stadium to allow for social distancing and to limit attendance to a safe level. Under the current protocols, graduates will go directly to their assigned seats rather than enter in a processional, and guests will be required to have tickets and go to their assigned seats. Guest seating will be ticketed, with each graduate allowed up to four tickets for guests. Graduates may be able to request additional tickets, if space allows. Supporters who cannot attend in person can watch the ceremonies live at commencement.siu.edu/videos.

Current plans call for honoring 2021 graduates that Friday and Saturday. The School of Law will honor 2020 and 2021 classes in one ceremony on Friday. All other 2020 graduates are invited to participate in ceremonies on Sunday.