Spring 2021 graduates, here's what you need to know for commencement

As Commencement Day gets closer, graduates must know this information for a smooth graduation day. 

Soon-to-be graduates should already have their graduation application in, along with their Regalia. The last day to purchase Regalia was on April 8; however, if one failed to purchase Regalia before then, the Chanticleer Bookstore has limited sizes for purchase. The last day to apply for graduation was Nov. 27, 2020, so if graduates have not yet submitted their graduation application, please contact the Registrar’s Office. 

If Webadvisor still says a graduation application is pending, that is okay! After graduation day, Webadvisor will update the graduation application to say it was completed and approved. 

When claiming graduation tickets, here is what graduates need to know:

1) Graduation tickets became available to claim on April 13 at 9 a.m. The last day to claim graduation tickets is May 4 at 4 p.m. If you do not claim your tickets in time, you will no longer be eligible for graduation tickets. 

2) Graduates are only allowed to claim four tickets for their family/friends. In no way can graduates claim extra tickets. If you claim more than four tickets, your tickets will be cancelled and deemed invalid. 

3) Tickets come in a bundle. For students to claim their four family/friends’ tickets, students must claim one student ticket for themselves. Tickets are first-come-first-serve and given out in pods of 4 for social distancing. Graduates cannot change their seating assignment. 

4) Once tickets are claimed, the student will receive four emails. Two will be confirmation emails for the family/friends’ ticket and the student ticket, and the other two will be PDF links for the family/friends' ticket and the student ticket.  

5) Graduation tickets are print at home tickets and should be printed before arrival. The tickets are good for all day and can only be scanned twice (one time for the 8:30 a.m. ceremony and one time for the 6 p.m. ceremony).

May 7 is the commencement day for the Wall College of Business and Humanities College of Fine Arts. May 8 commencement is for the Gupta College of Science, HTC Honors College, Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, and the Spadoni College of Education. All ceremonies will take place at Brooks Stadium.

Two ceremonies will take place on each day. At 8:30 a.m., a speaking ceremony will commence, where students will listen to speakers from the University. The 8:30 a.m. ceremony will not have assigned seating for the graduates. Graduates will arrive and be directed to sit in a section with their college. The 6 p.m. ceremony is when the graduates will walk across the stage and receive their diploma. Students will have assigned seating for the 6 p.m. ceremony. The day before commencement, graduates will receive an email with their exact seating assignment for the 6 p.m. ceremony. If graduates do not bring their student tickets to their ceremony, they may be prohibited from entering the ceremony. Both ceremonies are optional. 

Graduates should arrive at least one hour before the ceremonies. Graduates will enter at Gate 1 and must be wearing their Regalia. Face masks are required and must be worn the whole time.

Stiletto heels are prohibited. Graduates may wear wedges or flats. 

Immediately following the 6 p.m. commencement ceremony, a reception will be held for each college. Please refer to your student ticket to discover where your specific college reception will take place. The college reception is optional.