On Feb. 25, American River College’s administration announced it’s planning on hosting an outdoor in-person graduation ceremony during the evening of May 18. 

According to the announcement on the ARC website, the in-person ceremony is contingent upon the continued decrease in COVID-19 cases in the region. If there is another COVID-19 surge, ARC will consider moving the graduation to a curbside event.

The college used the curbside ceremony last year to celebrate the 2020 and 2021 graduates who could not get an in-person ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

According to Scott Crow, ARC’s communication and public information officer, part of the reason ARC is offering an in-person graduation is that they believe that graduates want the experience of a formal ceremony.

“Improving public health conditions, including a decrease in COVID-19 cases, has allowed us the opportunity to decide for an in-person ceremony,” Crow said in an email to the Current.

Crow added that ARC will follow the guidance of public health experts and follow protocols that best protect the health and safety of all if the in-person graduation does go on as planned.

According to the announcement, more ceremony details and information about signing up for the ceremony will be provided in the weeks to come.