It’s official: double HOCO is a go, pandemic permitting. 

Next year, Homecoming is scheduled to take place over two weekends: Oct. 15-17 and Oct. 29-31. The University hopes to offer both of these events in person, with an additional virtual Homecoming on Oct. 17 for all alumni.

The first weekend is designated for classes whose graduation year ends in zero or five, and members of the Tricolour Guard celebrating 50 years or more since their graduation. The second weekend is designated for classes whose graduation year ends in one or six.

According to an email sent to alumni, the decision to introduce double Homecoming was made “in response to the significant desire of alumni who celebrated anniversaries in 2020 to participate in an in-person Homecoming on campus.”

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“The safety of our alumni, staff, students and the Kingston community is always foremost in our minds,” the University wrote in a statement to The Journal.

“Any decision to host in-person events will necessarily be predicated on an assessment made in concert with our Public Health experts and community partners, and we would only move forward with in-person events if doing so can be done safely.”

A final decision on whether the two weekends will take place in-person or online will be “forthcoming,” according to the University.

“While we recognize that many of our alumni will be excited at the prospect of a return to safe in-person Homecoming events, should the public health situation still warrant virtual celebrations, we will focus our efforts on delivering a positive and rewarding virtual experience similar to what was delivered in 2020.”