Universities Air Plans For In-person Graduation — Days After Bill Proposed To Force Them

IOWA CITY — Just days after a Republican lawmaker introduced a bill to force Iowa’s public universities to hold in-person spring graduations — despite University of Iowa and Northern Iowa plans for virtual ceremonies — all three campuses announced they’re developing in-person commencement options.“The format will be designed to honor and celebrate the achievements of our graduates while practicing the university’s guidelines for social distancing and mandatory face coverings,” according to a University of Iowa announcement Monday reversing an earlier decision to keep all commencement celebrations virtual again this spring.Joining UI in the about-face on graduation plans Monday was UNI, according to a message from President Mark Nook.