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Beaufort County Community College is postponing its scheduled May 15 graduation ceremony until a later date. Given North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s Executive Order 120 banning gatherings of more than 50 people and closing public schools until May 15, college administrators decided to postpone the commencement ceremony, usually held at Washington High School. BCCC faculty will continue to teach classes online through the end of the last day of finals on May 13, except in a very limited number of cases. The college is still continuing operations and enrollment is underway for the summer and fall classes.

The college will inform students of the new date as soon as a decision can be made on when it can safely be held. If a student was scheduled to graduate in May and successfully completes any remaining required courses, they will still graduate with their certificate or degree.

In addition, BCCC will continue to offer all courses — with a very few approved exceptions — in an online format through the last day of finals on May 13. The college had initially moved classes online through April 5. As of March 23, every community college in North Carolina had transitioned its classes to online instruction. All lab science courses will use online laboratory experiences. Career and technical education programs will continue to teach the lecture component of their courses via Blackboard, and make decisions about lab-based instruction over the next two weeks. Continuing education courses not taught online will remain on hiatus until further notice.

The college is aware of the excitement that comes with commencement, and the disappointment that comes with its postponement, but students are encouraged to stay on track to complete their degrees, because this moment will pass, and they will have their degree for the rest of their lives.

Students who were not scheduled to graduate should continue registering for summer and fall classes and applying for financial aid. New students can apply for admission online. Admissions, financial aid and student records personnel can be reached through email or phone. The college has posted guidance on its homepage for students with questions during this online instruction phase. Parents and students can also view updates and alerts on the homepage.

BCCC prides itself on being a place where students feel a sense of belonging. In the midst of this online phase, staff and faculty are working to deliver the same level of high quality education and support that students have come to expect from the college.