The University of Virginia will welcome new undergraduate, graduate and professional students Sunday evening with a virtual Opening Convocation ceremony featuring President Jim Ryan.

In addition to Ryan, students will also receive welcoming remarks from Dean of Students Allen Groves, the chairs of the Honor and University Judiciary committees and the presidents of Student Council and the Graduate and Professional Student Council.

Opening Convocation is usually held on the Lawn, with UVA’s newest students seated facing the Rotunda. Because of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent restrictions on large gatherings, UVA made the decision to create a virtual ceremony, hewing as closely as possible to the traditional opening of the academic year.

“Opening Convocation is an important rite of passage in welcoming new undergraduate, graduate and professional students to the University,” Groves said. “Although we cannot gather together on the Lawn, we have prepared a virtual event for viewing by students at 6 p.m. this Sunday, the traditional start of this event each year.”

“I think students often perceive UVA and its community as this particular place with certain experiences attached to it, but regardless of whether we end up on or off Grounds, those experiences are going to look very different,” Student Council President Ellen Yates said. “Convocation is an important reminder that UVA is first and foremost a community of people and the opportunities for learning that we share. I’m hoping that this virtual convocation can still be a chance for students to feel welcomed into the community, which will exist no matter what else happens this fall.” 

Groves will read a welcome message from the Seven Society, one of UVA’s secret societies, and the University Singers will perform two pieces: “Hail Virginia” and “The Good Old Song.”

The ceremony traditionally ends with each student signing the honor code, pledging not to lie, cheat or steal while enrolled at UVA. Because the ceremony will be virtual, students will be notified of alternate plans to pledge their honor in coming days.

With this year’s Opening Convocation, UVA will welcome nearly 4,000 undergraduate students from across the country and around the world, as well as hundreds of transfer, graduate and professional students.

UVA invites all its newest students to view opening convocation Sunday evening at 6 p.m. The ceremony will also be streamed on UVA’s Facebook page.

There are also scores of other engagement activities, known collectively as Wahoo Welcome, for new students. In the coming days, there will be virtual dean’s talks, the Student Activities Fair, a welcome concert, a magic show and properly distanced “pop-up picnics,” where students get a blanket and some sweet treats to enjoy an afternoon outside.