Graduates of the University of Virginia’s School of Education and Human Development and the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy will join students from the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences in walking the Lawn during Final Exercises in May. This change is aimed at balancing the number of graduates on each day of the ceremony and ensuring that each graduate can have six guest tickets.

Previously, since 2015, graduates from the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences walked the Lawn on Saturday during Final Exercises, while students from the 11 other schools, including the Education School and the Batten School, received their diplomas on Sunday. However, changes in enrollment resulted in an imbalance in the number of students graduating each day.

A survey was conducted among current students and the Class of 2023 trustees to gather input on graduation weekend preferences. About two-thirds of the surveyed students preferred the current two-day format, as it allowed them to have more loved ones in attendance. As a result of this feedback, the University decided to include graduates from the Education School and the Batten School in the Saturday ceremonies.

This change is intended to make Final Exercises more balanced and ensure that the tradition of allowing each graduate to have six guest tickets is upheld. The upcoming Finals Weekend for this academic year is scheduled for May 17-19.