Howard University announced Thursday that it will not be holding an in-person homecoming celebration this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. There will be a virtual event, instead.
The online event is part of the university’s reopening plan for the fall. The plan involves part of the students and staff being on campus, with others attending virtual classes.
“As referenced in the Howard University Fall Re-opening plan section on large gatherings, we will not be able to host homecoming in person this year,” Wayne A. I. Frederick, president of the historically black university, said in a statement.
“When you consider the fact that the coronavirus pandemic is disproportionately impacting the African American community, the fact that we are still several months away from a vaccine being available, and the fact that more than 20,000 people attend the annual festivities – including persons with pre-existing health conditions – it would be extremely insensitive for Howard University to host homecoming this year.”
Howard University issues the following statement on Homecoming. Read the entire Fall Re-Opening Plan at https://t.co/G6ZghsZPtk pic.twitter.com/RIegM7Vgin
— Howard University (@HowardU) July 2, 2020
Howard’s homecoming was originally scheduled for October 10-18, and the homecoming football game against Delaware State was set to take place October 17.
The details of the online celebration are not available yet.
