Sen. Edward M. Kennedy is scheduled to deliver the commencement address at Wesleyan University, in Connecticut, this weekend, but it’s not clear if the Democratic lawmaker from Massachusetts, who received a diagnosis of brain cancer on Tuesday, still plans to speak.

“I’ve had no word yet from the senator’s office,” said David Pesci, director of media relations at Wesleyan. Mr. Pesci said college officials had discussed unspecified backup plans. “We’re still hopeful that the senator will be here,” he said. “I don’t know how any of us would react to this kind of news.”

Mr. Kennedy was released from a Boston hospital today. His wife, Vicki Kennedy, told friends that he wanted to compete in an annual sailing race, from Cape Cod to Nantucket, this weekend, the Associated Press reported.

Wesleyan announced in February that Senator Kennedy would appear at the university’s 176th commencement, which is scheduled for Sunday. —Kate Moser

Update (5/22): Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential candidate, will replace Sen. Edward M. Kennedy as commencement speaker.