With the continuous rise of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) has released a memorandum addressing concerns from Batch 2020 graduates dated October 2.

To comply with the protocols and procedures issued throughout the country, Far Eastern University (FEU) plans to implement the following procedures.

In accordance, the stated procedures are as follows:

1. Students with In Progress due to Quarantine (IPQ) grades will be given until November 28 to comply with requirements. All remaining IPQ grades after November 28 will be converted to a failing mark or F.
2. Entity Status on Student Central is active when the graduate student has pending IPQ grade, was enrolled last summer or this first semester, on-going process for application on graduation, incomplete update on student records.
3. Graduates with pending Form 137 and TOR will be coordinated by the OUR; Notification letters will be sent to graduating students that need to be verified.
4. Online submission of Application for Graduation is encouraged to update student records.
5. Graduation fees were charged last semester.
6. The said office will not release a Certified List of Graduates as compliance to the Data Privacy Act; Checking of Entity Status is encouraged via Student Central Account.
7. Graduate students with pending impediment must secure clearance before the OUR can print academic credentials.
8. The new schedule for 92nd Commencement Exercises will be in July 2021 with 2,661 graduates of FEU Manila Batch 2020 together with graduates of Batch 2021.

The updated schedule is subject to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) guidelines, and University clearance assuring the safety of staff and students has to be implemented.

Before lockdown strikes the nation, it can be recalled that FEU aims to conduct its 92nd Commencement Exercises in the month of November. However, the memorandum stated that it is "not feasible."

"Due to the present pandemic, the planned Commencement Exercises by the end of 2020 (as previously announced) or early part of 2021 is not feasible," it read.

As of posting, infections of COVID-19 in the country have been updated by the Department of Health (DOH) mounted to 329,637. With roaring cases, it can be foreseen that face-to-face classes may not occur until next year.

-Vonne Milanes
File photo from 91st Commencement Exercises