RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia Commonwealth University's May commencement has been canceled and classes will remain online for the remainder of the semester, university president Michael Rao announced on Wednesday.

"I am very sad that we cannot hold May commencement exercises as planned. The CDC and other public health officials agree that large events should be suspended at least eight weeks for the health and welfare of attendees. So this decision is necessary but disappointing to the entire university community," Rao wrote in a letter to the university.

Instead, students graduating in the Spring will be honored at the University commencement in December.

Additionally, classes will be taught remotely for the remainder of the semester "in order to ensure that students complete the semster as safely as possible."

The University will also begin issuing refunds and credits for housing and dining services.

