Learn the answers to many frequently asked questions about the Dean College Commencement Exercises.
DO GUESTS NEED TO HAVE TICKETS TO ATTEND COMMENCEMENT?
No. Tickets are not required for Commencement.
WILL COMMENCEMENT BE LIVE STREAMED?
Yes, a link to the live stream of the Ceremony will be made available on the Commencement homepage closer to the date of the ceremony.
WHAT IS THE GRADUATION APPLICATION PROCESS?
WHAT ARE THE REQUIRED COMMENCEMENT FEES?
Graduating students, attending or not attending the Commencement Exercises, will be charged a $200 graduation fee. Student accounts need to be paid in full in order for a student to pick up his or her cap and gown.
HOW DO I CONFIRM MY CANDIDACY FOR GRADUATION?
Please speak with your advisor in the Robbins Family Center for Advising and Career Planning regarding your candidacy for graduation.
- School of Continuing Studies (SCS) graduates should confirm their candidacy for graduation with Lidiana Conner, Assistant Director, School of Continuing Studies.
WILL I RECEIVE MY DIPLOMA AT THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY?
If you are a May 2023 graduate, you should expect to receive your diploma at the Commencement ceremony unless you have an outstanding obligation due to the College, such as an outstanding balance due. May 2023 graduates who cannot attend the Commencement ceremony will have their diploma mailed to them between the end of May and middle of June.
If you graduated in December of last year, you should have already received your diploma. If you are completing your degree requirements over the summer and graduating this August, your diploma will be mailed to you in September upon successful completion of your degree.
DO I NEED TO ORDER MY CAP AND GOWN? WHAT ABOUT WEARING CORDS AND STOLES?
Yes, the deadline for ordering caps and gowns is Friday, March 17, 2023.
Graduating students who order caps and gowns should plan to pick up their caps and gowns on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, April 24, 25, or 26 between the hours of 2:00 pm and 6:30 pm in the Robbins Family Center for Advising & Career Planning.
Dean College asks that students participating in Commencement only wear the stoles and/or cords associated with the College’s honor societies, Dean philanthropy recognition or any honors awarded to them by the College.
WHAT SHOULD GRADUATES WEAR FOR COMMENCEMENT?
Graduates should dress in regalia for Commencement. Once you have your cap and gown on a hanger, do not iron them. We recommend steaming to get the wrinkles out. During the Commencement ceremony, caps should be worn flat on your head. The tassel goes on the RIGHT side. It is turned to the LEFT upon the conferral of degrees during the Commencement ceremony.
Graduates are encouraged to wear dress shirt and slacks, skirt, dress pants or dress. Graduates will be walking from the Student Center, up Awpie Way and seated in the grass. Please wear flat shoes. Also please, no jeans, lounge plants or flip flops.
WHAT TIME DO GRADUATES NEED TO ARRIVE SATURDAY MORNING?
Graduate check-in will start at 9:30 a.m. at the Guidrey Center. All graduates should be checked-in by 10:10 a.m. Graduates should be in their robes. Faculty and staff will organize the graduates in alphabetical order for the Commencement procession. At 10:20 a.m., the Dean of Students will provide the graduates with instructions for lining up, marching, seating, and receiving diplomas.
WILL GRADUATES BE ABLE TO STORE A PURSE OR PERSONAL ITEMS IN THE GUIDREY CENTER?
Personal items cannot be stored in the Guidrey Center. Graduates should only bring what they intend to carry with them to the ceremony.
WHERE DO MY GUESTS GO AND WHAT TIME SHOULD THEY ARRIVE?
Ceremony guests should go straight to Dean Hall. Seating becomes available at 9:00 a.m. Guests should plan to be in their seats by 10:40 a.m. as the processional will begin at 10:45 a.m. After the ceremony please have your family and guests meet you at prearranged location.
WILL THE COLLEGE BOOKSTORE BE OPEN DURING COMMENCEMENT EVENTS?
The bookstore will not be open but will have a tent on Awpie Way the day of Commencement.
WHERE CAN I PURCHASE A CLASS RING OR GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS?
You can purchase a class ring or order announcements through Balfour. Learn more.
WHEN CAN FAMILIES AND FRIENDS BEGIN SITTING FOR THE CEREMONY?
Families and friends can begin sitting outside of Dean Hall along Awpie Way at 9:00 A.M.
MAY MY FAMILY BRING THEIR PET TO COMMENCEMENT?
Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate pets during the Commencement Exercises. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY DEAN EMAIL ACCOUNT WHEN I GRADUATE?
Class of 2023: Your Dean College email address and email box will be terminated on December 1, 2023. Please forward emails you wish to save to another email address as the Technology Service Center will be unable to restore emails after this time. If you have questions, contact Technology Services at 508-541-1633.
AM I ALLOWED TO BRING A BAG TO GRADUATION?
To enhance the safe and quick entrance of all guests, the only bags permitted are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags (not to exceed 12"x 12" x 6"). All clear bags will be checked upon entrance. Click here for more details.
I MISPLACED MY PHONE DURING THE CEREMONY. DO YOU HAVE LOST AND FOUND?
Lost and found will be handled by the Dean College Campus Safety Department located in Dean Hall. They can be reached at (508) 541-1888.
ARE THERE AREAS TO SMOKE DURING THE CEREMONY?
Smoking is only permitted in the areas inside of the designated smoking huts located throughout campus.
WHAT IS THE POLICY REGARDING PHOTOGRAPHY AND USE OF CAMERAS AT THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY?
Professional photographers will take pictures of each graduate: first, when the graduate crosses the stage; and then, as the graduate leaves the stage with diploma in hand. We ask guests to remain in their seats or to use the photography area set-up for families.
GRADIMAGES is the official photographer for the 157th Commencement. In May, parents will receive a mailing from GRADIMAGES with instructions for ordering. If you have any questions, contact them at (800) 261-2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net.
WHAT DISABILITY RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE?
Disability Resources
Headsets are available for those guests with hearing impairments. Requests must be made to Nancy McIntyre, nmcintyre@dean.edu by April 7, 2023. A formal request is needed to provide this service.
Special Accommodations
Accessible seating will be available for guests with mobility difficulties or physical disabilities in a reserved seating section. Please contact Nancy McIntyre via email at nmcintyre@dean.edu no later than April 7.
For guests with hearing impairments please contact Nancy McIntyre by Friday, April 7. A formal request is needed to provide this service.
Accessible Parking
Accessible parking will be allowed for all cars with a handicap placard or license plate. Please go to the Dean Hall Parking Lot where you will be directed where to park. ONLY cars with handicap placards or license plates will be allowed to park in this designated parking lot. All other cars should park in the Campus Center or Jones Parking Lots.