Facing a backlash from students, Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao has reversed course on eliminating the traditional university-wide graduation ceremony next spring.

Just a week after canceling the event, Dr. Rao announced Monday that VCU will hold a university-wide graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 11, to be followed by the smaller ceremonies held by various programs, departments, schools and colleges.

The location for the university-wide ceremony has yet to be determined, Dr. Rao stated in the internal communication to students, but he indicated that negotiations have been resumed with several area venues.

Initially, VCU canceled the traditional ceremony after officials could not find a suitable replacement for its usual venue, the Richmond Coliseum, which is proposed to close on Dec. 31.

VCU for decades has held its spring graduation in the 13,500-seat Coliseum that is earmarked for demolition and replacement with a 17,500-seat arena in a proposal under consideration by Richmond City Council.