UW Institutions Prepare For Commencement As Winter Storm Moves Through Wisconsin

The latest winter storm has arrived in Wisconsin just ahead of Saturday’s commencement ceremonies at UW institutions.

Officials at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh said Friday they were canceling Saturday’s graduation events because of concerns about heavy snow and high winds.

They plan to hold recognition events in January, and say graduates can take part in spring commencement.

Other campuses are going forward with their plans, despite the weather.

Doug Mell of UW-Stout said while the school is telling its 697 graduates to make sure it’s safe to travel before coming to campus, the university is going forward with commencement.

“Our main message is ‘be safe,’” Mell said. “But commencement is really a significant event in the lives of people. We feel a responsibility to hold that ceremony if at all possible.”

Mell said those who don’t choose to travel can watch the ceremonies online.

Mike Rindo of UW-Eau Claire said crews will stay busy tonight and tomorrow morning keeping roads and sidewalks clear for that school’s 840 new graduates.

“We’ve coordinated with the city of Eau Claire asking them to pay special attention to the streets, especially the arterial streets that lead to campus, and they’ve agreed to do that,” Rindo said. “But it really is utmost for people to keep in mind their personal safety as they consider whether to come to Eau Claire for their student’s graduation.”

Some of the heaviest snow is set to move through the state tonight, with snow likely to continue through much of Saturday.

Central and southern Wisconsin could see 8 to 12 inches, with lesser amounts further north.