Commencement Update
May 8, 2024
We are excited to celebrate with you soon! Please review this email in its entirety. This is a reminder email. We ask that you review it in its entirety, as it contains very important information to prepare for your ceremony.
As a reminder, all graduates must be in regalia unless they are active military in uniform. Regalia includes gown, mortarboard or tam, stole, and/or cords. Anything other than regalia will not be permitted.
Friday, May 10, 2024
9:00 a.m. Kogod School of Business and Professional Studies
1:30 p.m. School of Public Affairs
Saturday, May 11, 2024
9:00 a.m. School of International Service
1:30 p.m. College of Arts and Sciences
6:00 p.m. School of Communication and School of Education
Each ceremony will last approximately two to two and a half hours in Bender Arena. All ceremonies will be live-streamed on the commencement website.
Important Information
REGALIA
In order to walk in the commencement ceremony, you must wear a cap and gown designed especially for American University. Students not wearing the proper regalia will not be permitted to walk in the ceremony. (The only exception is for active-duty service members and students joining the Armed Forces who have received permission from AU Commencement to wear their formal dress uniforms in lieu of academic regalia.)
Your regalia order serves as your registration to participate in the Spring Commencement ceremony. Online regalia orders are now closed. (If you are borrowing regalia from a past graduate, please email commencement@american.edu.) If you selected the on-campus pickup option when you ordered your regalia, pickup will take place in Mary Graydon Center (MGC) 200:
Wednesday, May 8: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 9: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday, May 10: 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 11: 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
If you rented doctoral regalia, it should be returned immediately following the ceremony to Mary Graydon Center (MGC) 200 by 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 11. Shipped-to-home rental orders may be returned using the enclosed return address label. Bachelor’s and master’s regalia does not need to be returned.
TICKETS
Tickets are required for admittance to the Spring Commencement ceremonies. An allotment of six (6) tickets has been distributed to students who have registered to participate in commencement by securing their regalia. Children under age 3 who will be sitting in an adult's lap during the entire ceremony do not require a ticket. If the child needs a seat of their own, they will require a ticket. Graduates will not need a ticket for themselves.
Tickets for the ceremony are assigned and claimed using an electronic ticketing site (Marching Order). Each ticket has a unique QR code and can only be used once.
Any graduate or guest exhibiting disruptive behavior, as determined by university staff or AUPD, is subject to removal.
Day-Of Instructions
ASSEMBLY AND ROBING
- Graduates should arrive at the Bender Arena Sports Center lobby and proceed to the 2nd floor of Bender Arena Sports Center for check-in 45 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Graduates will be directed to their line-up locations. Look for the sign that identifies your degree group when you arrive at your assembly area.
- When you check-in, you will be given a reader card pre-printed with your name and QR code. DO NOT LOSE THIS CARD.
- Only graduating students will be permitted in the assembly areas in the Tavern and Sports Center.
- It is recommended that you arrive at your assembly area already wearing your cap and gown.
- All graduates must be in regalia unless they are active military in uniform.
- Regalia includes: Gown, mortarboard or tam, stole, and/or cords.
- Anything other than regalia will not be permitted.
- There is no coat check or secure location to store your belongings in the line-up areas or Arena during the ceremony. Please leave all personal belongings with your guests or in your vehicle during the ceremony. For security purposes, do not leave bags unattended.
- All bags are subject to search upon entry to Bender Arena.
- Objects that impede visibility, signs, banners, flags, airhorns, and noisemakers are prohibited.
- No food or drink will be permitted in the Arena with the exception of bottled or refillable water containers.
- Alcoholic beverages and smoking are strictly prohibited at commencement.
- Use #2024AUGrad on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Your posts will appear on the big screens inside Bender Arena and on the commencement website before your ceremony!
LINE-UP AND PROCESSIONAL
- Graduates begin lining up for the processional 45 minutes before the ceremony. Choose a partner from your school and degree group and line up two abreast. Your partner must be receiving the same degree as you. Doctoral students will line up with their dissertation advisors.
- You will be given a reader card pre-printed with your name and QR code. DO NOT LOSE THIS CARD. You will hand this card to the audio technician during the ceremony so that your unique QR code can be scanned and your name can be announced as you cross the stage.
- Photographers from ProPics will take two pictures of you as you approach and depart the stage and one picture with President Burwell. There is no cost to have your photo taken and no obligation to purchase. If you would like to receive your photo proofs, please go to www.AmericanUniversityPhotos.com to submit your information.
- Your degree group will stay together throughout the processional, ceremony, and recessional. Remain in line with your partner, and you will be guided to a seat.
- Please keep the line straight and orderly during the processional. Do not leave the line once the processional begins. When you reach a row, the partner on the right enters first. Proceed directly to a chair and be seated.
RECOGNITION OF GRADUATES
- Following the president’s charge to the graduates, students will be called to the platform for individual recognition. At the appropriate time, you will be led from your seat to the ramp at the right of the stage. Make sure you have your reader card with you.
- ProPics will take the first photo of you at the bottom of the ramp.
- Go up the ramp. Approach the audio tech table and hand the technician your reader card.
- When your name is announced, walk to your dean, who will hand you a ceremonial diploma. (Note for doctoral candidates only: when your name is announced, hand your degree hood to the dean. The dean and your advisor will place the hood over your head, and you will receive your diploma.)
- Proceed across the stage and pause for a photo with President Burwell.
- Continue across the stage and go down the ramp. ProPics will take the third photo of you as you depart the stage.
- After the stage crossing and third photo, return directly to a seat. Note you will not return to the same seat!
CEREMONY
- To create a more sustainable commencement, ushers will only distribute one printed program per family. Graduates will have a program placed at their seat.
- Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in Bender Arena. This rule will be strictly enforced
- Any graduate or guest exhibiting disruptive behavior or in possession of prohibited items during line-up or the ceremony, as determined by university commencement staff or AUPD, is subject to removal.
- Objects that impede visibility, signs, banners, airhorns, and noisemakers are prohibited.
- The ceremonies are expected to run approximately two to two and a half hours.
RECESSIONAL
After members of the faculty have left the arena, ushers will direct graduates from the arena. Please stay in line and keep moving until all graduates have exited the arena. In the case of inclement weather, there will be no graduate recessional.
PLEASE SHARE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WITH YOUR GUESTS
Questions?