photo by: Richard Gwin/Journal-World File Photo

In this file photo from May 15, 2016, University of Kansas mascot Big Jay is dressed in graduation regalia during KU's commencement.

The thousands of students at the University of Kansas who were set to make the traditional walk through the Campanile and down the hill this May, but weren’t able to do so because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will have their own commencement ceremony in May 2021, KU Chancellor Douglas Girod announced Wednesday.

Girod said KU had ruled out the possibility of being able to safely hold the ceremony during the coming fall semester and instead would use two weekends in May to honor the 2020 and 2021 classes.

2020 graduates had a virtual ceremony on May 17 to mark the occasion, but KU officials have long committed to giving those students a traditional, in-person commencement once it was again safe to do so.

Currently, the plan is to hold the class of 2021 ceremony on May 16 and the class of 2020 ceremony at a to-be-determined date in May, Girod said in a campus message.

“Of course, our planning is subject to change based on evolving circumstances and the latest medical guidance,” he said.

KU will continue to monitor circumstances and provide more information later in the fall, Girod said.