Graduate Instructions
Meals During Commencement Weekend
For Commencement weekend, there are no guest meals. Flex can be used in dining locations, POD and SBUX. All remaining flex will be lost if not used before Monday, May 20, 2024.
Saturday, May 18, 2024 – 3rd Floor DeNaples
Breakfast – 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Lunch – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Dinner 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 19, 2024 – 3rd Floor DeNaples
Breakfast 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Lunch – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Dinner 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Undergraduate Commencement: Sunday, May 19
General Information:
- Enter through the Graduate Entry Point at the East Gate.
- Arrive fully robed in your academic attire (gown, hood, cap). Changing rooms are not available at the Arena.
- Aside from your academic attire, please do not bring any other personal items with you.
- Caps may be decorated. Please do not add unauthorized decorations to your gown. Please refer to the Commencement Dress Code Standards.
- Food and drink are not permitted and will be taken by Arena security.
- In addition to Arena security guidelines and the clear bag policy, the following items are strictly prohibited:
- Artificial noisemakers, including airhorns or bullhorns
- Signs, banners, posters or flags
- Consumption of alcohol is prohibited at Commencement. Police monitor the parking lots and alcohol is not sold at the Arena during this event.
- Please remember to follow the instructions of the Faculty Marshals, University Staff and Student Ambassadors at all times.
- We are transitioning to an online Commencement program for 2024. Each graduate will receive a printed program, which will be placed on your seat at the Arena.
- At the conclusion of the ceremony, you will meet your guests OUTSIDE the Arena. Graduates will exit out both the East and West Gates of the Arena. It is recommended you discuss with your guests a location in the parking lot(s) to meet that is away from the Arena building.
Awarding of the Diplomas:
- A reader will announce the names of attending graduates. You will receive a name card prior to reaching the stage. Please provide this card to the staff on-stage when requested.
- Please follow the directions of the Faculty Marshals as you approach the stage to receive your diploma.
- All graduates will ascend the stage on the right, receive a ceremonial scroll and exit the stage on the left.
- Latin honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude) will be announced based on the academic information available on record as of May 1st. Once final grades are submitted, Latin honors will be adjusted and the student's records (transcript, diploma) will reflect the student's final standing.
- The size of the diploma is 16x20 inches and is suitable for framing.
- The scroll you will receive from the Dean is an English translation of the Latin inscription on the diploma.
- Diplomas will be mailed directly to the address noted on the student's Graduation Application after satisfactory completion of degree requirements and fulfillment of University financial obligations. Diplomas are mailed from the University vendor approximately 6 weeks following the degree conferral date. Students will receive an email message when the diploma is mailed. Allow 30 days from the mailing date to receive your diploma.
If you have an outstanding debt to the University, please remember all debts must be satisfied by 12:00p.m. on Friday, May 17, 2024.
Security at the Arena:
Please do not bring extra items that you would have to carry in your hands (i.e. cameras, purses, etc.). All graduates will be screened upon entering the Arena. As of January 1, 2019, Mohegan Sun Arena implemented a clear bag policy to bring items into the venue. To assist with alleviating the time required to go through security checkpoints, please utilize the following information:
Graduate Commencement: Sunday, May 19
General Information:
- Arrive fully robed in your academic attire (gown, hood, cap). Changing rooms are not available at the arena.
- Aside from your academic attire, please do not bring any personal items with you.
- Please remember to follow the instructions of the Faculty Marshals, University Staff and Student Ambassadors at all times.
- Food and drink are not permitted and will be taken by Arena security.
- In addition to Arena security guidelines and the clear bag policy, the following items are strictly prohibited:
- Artificial noisemakers, including airhorns or bullhorns
- Signs, banners, posters or flags
- Consumption of alcohol is prohibited at Commencement. Police monitor the parking lots and alcohol is not sold at the Arena during this event.
- Your guest should go directly to the main Arena entry point.
- We are transitioning to an online Commencement program for 2024. Each graduate will receive a printed program, which will be placed on your seat at the Arena.
- The ceremony is expected to last 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- At the conclusion of the ceremony, you will meet your guests OUTSIDE the Arena. Graduates will exit out both the East and West Gates of the Arena. It is recommended you discuss with your guests a location in the parking lot(s) to meet that is away from the Arena building.
Diplomas and Hooding:
- A reader will announce the names of the graduates in alphabetical order by college and by degree. You will receive a name card prior to reaching the stage. Please provide this card to the staff on-stage when requested.
- Please follow the directions of the Faculty Marshals as you approach the stage to receive your scroll.
- All graduates will ascend the stage on the right, proceed to center stage to receive a ceremonial scroll and exit the stage on the left.
- Due to needing to maintain appropriate social distance, doctoral candidates will not be hooded on stage. You should wear your hood along with your other academic regalia.
- Once you exit the stage, please follow the directions of University Staff and Student Ambassadors to return to your assigned seat on the Arena floor.
- Diplomas will be mailed directly to the address noted on the student's Graduation Application after a satisfactory completion of degree requirements and fulfillment of University financial obligations. Diplomas are mailed from the University vendor approximately 6 weeks following the degree conferral date. Students will receive an email message when the diploma is mailed. Allow 30 days from the mailing date to receive your diploma.
If you have an outstanding debt to the University, please remember all debts must be satisfied by 12:00p.m. on Friday, May 17, 2024.
Security at the Arena:
Please do not bring extra items that you would have to carry in your hands (i.e. cameras, purses, etc.). All graduates will be screened upon entering the Arena. As of January 1, 2019, Mohegan Sun Arena implemented a clear bag policy to bring items into the venue. To assist with alleviating the time required to go through security checkpoints, please utilize the following information:
Academic Attire for Commencement Ceremonies
- All graduates participating in Graduate Commencement or Undergraduate Commencement, must wear proper academic attire. For participants in the Commencement ceremonies, you must wear your gown, cap with tassel, and hood. There are no exceptions.
- Men should wear shirt and long pants under their robe and shoes.
- Women should wear dresses, or skirts/pants with appropriate tops as well as shoes under their robes.
- Robes should be steamed or lightly pressed before wearing for the ceremonies.
- Student Ambassadors will assist with ensuring your academic attire (hood, cap, tassel) is on correctly. The velvet of your hood should be placed closest to your chin. The tassel for your cap should be placed on the left and it stays on that side. Honor stoles and cords, if applicable, should be placed on your person before you don your hood. The stole and cords hang down the front of your gown.