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Important Information

• Attendance at commencement is optional, and participation in the ceremony does not guarantee the conferral of your degree.  

• There is no rehearsal, so it is important that you closely read the emails sent to your ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ inbox and the information on this site prior to attending the ceremony. 

• The ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ welcomes everyone to tune in to the  for a livestream of the ceremony. 

Arrival

*Check-in will be available one hour before your ceremony begins. You should arrive wearing your cap and rental gown.*

• Official ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ cap and gown from Herff Jones is required for participation in commencement. 

• Please arrive early to ensure all participants are able to be checked in on time for the ceremony. 

• If you are a bachelor's candidate, you should wear the tassel on your cap on the right side. If you are a master's or doctoral candidate, you should wear your tassel on the left side. 

• Coats and jackets are not recommended, as you will be wearing a rental gown.

• Please do not carry purses, backpacks or helmets; there is no place to store them.

• If you arrive late, you will have to march at the end of the procession. Once the procession has begun, there is no opportunity for you to join your group.

Guest Seating

• All guests must have a ticket.

• General admission seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

• No guests are permitted in the degree candidates' seating area.

• Commencement protocol does not permit seating of guests during the procession; late arrivals must wait to be seated until the procession ends.

Assembly and Processional

• You must check in at the Field House (Building 26) at the front entrance.

•  You will check in with the graduation staff to receive your name card and determine where to line up with your college for the processional.

• During check-in, verify that the information on your name card is correct. If it's not, a help desk will be on site to make corrections. 

• The processional begins when the marshals lead you onto the main floor of the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ Arena. You will proceed in a side-by-side single-file line, and remain standing until the President asks you to be seated.

Conferral of Degrees

• Degrees will be conferred during each of the respective ceremonies for each college.

Crossing the Stage

• Getting to the stage: The marshal will release your row to proceed up to the stage. You will exit your seat to the outside of the row (not to the center aisle), and proceed up the walkway to the ramps leading onto the stage. A photo will be taken of you on the ramp.
  
  
• Crossing the stage:  Another photo will be taken as you receive your diploma cover on stage. Cross the stage and exit off of the other ramp and return to your seat via the center aisle. If you are seated on the right side of the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ Arena, you will cross the stage right-to-left. If you are seated on the left side of the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ Arena, you will cross left-to-right.  All degree candidates are recognized individually - your name will be read aloud as you cross the stage. Honors distinctions are not read. 
  
  
• Returning to your seat: After your photo is taken, proceed back to your seat via the center aisle (not the outside aisle from which you left).
  
  
• Exiting the ceremony: At the conclusion of the ceremony, you will receive guidance from one or more of the marshals that led you in during the processional on how to exit the ceremony.

Appropriate Conduct

• Please remain seated during the ceremony.

• Cell phones and other devices should be turned off or remain on silent.

• All graduates and their guests are asked to remain in attendance for the entire ceremony as a sign of respect for all University graduates.