On the morning of May 8, the date SPA was set to announce the plans for commencement for the Class of 2020, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) released a statement putting forth new guidelines concerning graduation ceremonies in the state.

In that statement, the MDH said “The safest way to observe graduation/commencement is for everyone to stay home. Indoor graduations and ceremonies held outside in stadiums and football fields are not permitted […] A ceremony that can be conducted remotely (e.g., virtually) and ensures attendees do not need to leave their homes is our top recommendation […] Staying home is a crucial way to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to collectively protect our community.”

SPA’s ceremony was originally scheduled to return to the front lawn on June 8 after two years off-campus due to the construction at the Randolph Campus and the addition of the Schilling Center. Last year’s graduation ceremony was held at O’Shaughnessy at the University of Saint Catherine, while the 2018 ceremony was held at the Ordway Center in Downtown Saint Paul.

Mr. Roberts, Head of School, was set to release a statement to the community on May 8 as well, but no announcement has come yet.