Student Instructions

Students marching in procession

For the most accurate and timely information and instructions about Commencement activities, visit this web site often. New information will be posted as Commencement approaches. We also recommend following us at Twitter to get the latest updates sent directly to you.

Requirements for Graduation

To be considered a prospective graduate, all requirements for graduation must be met. Students who are unsure whether they have fulfilled all requirements for graduation should contact the academic dean in their school as soon as possible.

Degree Applications

In order for a degree to be granted, degree candidates must follow appropriate procedures as stipulated by the school in which they are enrolled. Filing a degree application by the due date, during the semester in which the student anticipates graduation, is one of the requirements. Students should contact the degree coordinator in each school for information.

Registrar's Office

The Registrar's Office web site contains information about filing for degrees, verifying personal information, final examination schedules, privacy rights (F.E.R.P.A.), and transcripts. Visit the site for answers to frequently asked questions.

If you have requested that information about your identity or status be suppressed (F.E.R.P.A.), you will not be listed in the Commencement program and your graduation cannot be verified. Contact the Registrar's Office to rescind your request and to allow information to be released.

Baccalaureate Service

Sunday, May 8, 2011
9:00 am (line up at 8:30)

The Baccalaureate tradition is an integral part of commencement exercises, marking the end of the student's undergraduate years just as opening Convocation marked the beginning. Emory's Baccalaureate (see Event Schedule) is an inter-religious service with prayers and readings from various religious traditions and a time for reflection. Baccalaureate is for all students receiving bachelor's degrees (BA, BS, BSN, BBA) and their guests.

Graduates, in caps and gowns, assemble on the south side of the Quadrangle near the Administration Building at 8:30 am. Marshals direct the formation and a bagpiper leads the procession. In case of rain, graduates go directly to Fellowship Hall of the Church School Building, behind Glenn Auditorium. The service lasts no more than one hour.

Commencement Ceremony

Monday, May 9, 2011
8:00 am (line up no later than 7:15)

Attendance at the commencement ceremony on the Quadrangle is required unless your academic dean has sent special permission to the registrar in advance for your diploma to be awarded in absentia. In this case, the diploma will be mailed later to the address furnished by you to your dean.

There is no rehearsal for the commencement ceremony on the Quadrangle.

Graduates assemble in cap and gown no later than 7:15 am, Monday, May 9, at locations designated by each school. Return to this website in late April (or subscribe to our Twitter alerts for advance notice) for a map of line-up locations. Graduates should be prompt in order to give the marshals time to arrange the lines accordingly. The procession begins at 8:00 a.m. sharp. The Quadrangle ceremony lasts approximately one hour and thirty minutes.

Diploma Ceremonies

Diploma ceremonies are held following the University ceremony. Marshals of the various schools direct the exit of their graduates from the Quadrangle to the places indicated on the Event Schedule.

Inclement Weather

See the Inclement Weather Schedule for important information about the two possible alternate schedules in the event of light rain or more severe weather.

Tickets to Commencement Ceremonies

Tickets are not required for admission to the Commencement Ceremony on the Quadrangle or the diploma ceremonies under fair weather conditions. Some school diploma ceremonies may require and may limit tickets in the event of inclement weather. Those schools distribute rain tickets to their students accordingly.

Graduates and Guests with Disabilities

If you have people in your party who are unable to walk long distances, who use wheelchairs, or who have other special needs, you may complete the Special Needs Request form. This form must be completed by May 2. See Special Needs page for more details. Please inform your guests that the campus terrain may challenge those with mobility concerns.

Regalia (Caps, Gowns and Hoods)

All student participants are expected to wear the official academic costume at both the Baccalaureate Service and Commencement. This includes cap, gown, tassel and hood.

Graduates can purchase regalia (robes, hats, tassels, and hoods) at the Barnes & Noble at Emory bookstore in the Oxford Road Building. Students who are off-campus during the spring semester can contact the Bookstore by phone at (404)727-6222 or email SM757@bncollege.com. The best time to purchase student regalia is during Grad Fair (see below). All purchases must be made by March 28, 2011. Emory student regalia is custom-made and the vendor requires 6-8 weeks to produce the regalia. The Bookstore does carry and continue to sell student regalia up until graduation, though students should not wait to purchase their attire. Sizes will become limited and even unavailable as Commencement approaches if not ordered in time.

Honor Cords are obtained through the specific school or organization that is bestowing the honors. Honor Cords are not available in the Bookstore.

JD recipients must contact their school commencement coordinator for information about Law School regalia.

Announcements

The official Emory Commencement announcement is available only from Jostens. The official announcement is on display at the Emory Bookstore.

Students or parents can order personalized Commencement announcements printed with the student's name, degree, and academic major and embossed with the University seal. A representative for Emory personalized graduation announcements will be on hand during Grad Fair (see below). Generic announcements will also be on sale at the Emory University Bookstore after Grad Fair.

Class Rings

Students may visit the Emory Bookstore to see a display of Emory Class Rings. Rings can be ordered at Grad Fair on March 2 and 3, or on the web, at Herff Jones. However, delivery of rings ordered after March 4 is not guaranteed in time for the Senior Ring Ceremony, April 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the Miller Ward Alumni House.

Diploma Frames

The Bookstore carries Framing Success diploma frames in several different styles year round. Framing Success frames are custom sized to fit your Emory diploma. Framing Success uses museum quality preservation mat board to protect your diploma from damaging pollutants and harmful contaminants. Framing Success also uses eco-friendly, certified wood from well-managed forests.

Grad Fair 2011

Grad Fair 2011 is held Wednesday March 2 and Thursday March 3, 2011 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., at the Barnes & Noble @ Emory University located at 1390 Oxford Road. During Grad Fair students can purchase their regalia and diploma frames. Representatives are on-hand to assist with ordering class rings and custom graduation announcements.

Portraits and Photography

See the photography section for important information about cap & gown portraits and ceremony photography.

Parking

Free parking is available on Commencement day in parking decks around campus. (See Campus Map) Students and guests are encouraged to arrive early. More specific information about parking and transportation will be available as the date of Commencement nears.

On-Campus Transportation

All visitors are encouraged to use the shuttle service on campus Commencement morning. Shuttles serve all parking decks except the Fishburne Deck and serve all on-campus events. All shuttle vehicles are equipped for easy accessibility and for transporting guests using wheelchairs. A complete shuttle map will be posted on this website as Commencement nears.

Walking to Commencement sites on Emory's campus may require walking up and down hill or walking for some distance. Guests should consider their needs when planning whether or not to attend and when planning transportation.

Guests with disabilities, or who require shuttle service, should not park in the Fishburne Parking Deck because of the lack of shuttle access. More about access.

Local vendors for wheelchair rentals are listed on this site. Emory does not provide wheelchairs.

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