For Students

• Graduate Commencement checklist
• Notice To Advanced Degree Candidates
• Ceremony Information

Notice To Advanced Degree Candidates

If you could not either purchase your academic regalia at GradFest or, subsequently, at the Campus Store, you may order by phone or e-mail. Here’s how…

Telephone: Contact the Campus Store at (401)456–8025 and charge to your credit card. If you would like your regalia sent to you, an additional $12.00 charge will apply.

E-mail: Contact splatt@ric.edu or bookstore@ric.edu to indicate you wish to purchase. Request that regalia be held for you at the Campus Store. Provide your student ID number and information on your height and weight. Indicate the school in which you will be receiving your degree. Plan to pick up at the Campus Store before the ceremonies.

Doctoral Candidates

Doctoral candidates will arrange for their regalia directly through the Commencement Office at the Kauffman Center rather than through the Campus Bookstore. The cost for doctoral tam and distinctive robe will be $45.00. For more information, contact Patricia Nolin at (401)456-9854 or at pnolin@ric.edu.

You should have received several engraved invitations for the ceremonies in the mail. Should you require more, please arrange to pick them up at the Kauffman Center, lower level, anytime during regular business hours. Contact the Commencement Office at (401) 456-9854.

No tickets are required for the ceremony, which will be held in the gymnasium of The Murray Center. Much of the seating is in the bleachers, but plenty of guest seating will also be available on the floor. Guests for whom seating on the main floor is necessary should plan to arrive at 4:45 p.m.

Special accommodations for those with disabilities can be made with advance notice to the Office of Conferences and Special Events. Five working days' notice is required. Telephone: 456-9854 (voice) or R.I. Relay 1-800-745-6575.

Ceremony Information

May and Summer degree candidates should check with the Records Office immediately if there is any question about your eligibility to graduate.

• I. Commencement Exercises

The ceremonies will be held on Thursday, May 15 at 5:30 p.m. in the Gymnasium in The Murray Center. Robing time will be 4:45 p.m. Since there is NO REHEARSAL we would appreciate your efforts to arrive promptly so that the Commencement marshals will have time to put you in the correct sequence for the procession. Click here for fair weather diagram.

• II. Where To Go (Robing and Procession)

Personal belongings should be left with your guests or locked in your vehicle. Once you are in academic attire, weather permitting, please report to the following outdoor locations. In case of rain, locations are numbered. Click here for foul weather diagram.

Ph.D., C.A.G.S., M.F.A., and M.S.W.
Fair Weather: Assemble behind flags, front of Gaige Hall
Ph.D.-Dark Blue flag C.A.G.S.-Tri-color flag M.F.A.-White Flag M.S.W.- Citron Flag
Foul Weather: Same flags, First Floor Corridor, Murray Center (No. 1)

M.A.
Fair Weather: Assemble behind white flag, front of Gaige Hall (this flag is toward the rear of the procession line)
Foul Weather: White flag, North/South Corridor, Murray Center (No. 2)

M.A.T., M.Ed., M.M.Ed., M.P.Ac., and M.S.
Fair Weather: Assemble behind blue flags, South Side of the Mall
Foul Weather: M.A.T.-Blue flag, First Floor Corridor, Murray Center (No. 3)
M.Ed., M.M.Ed., M.P.Ac., and M.S. -Blue Flag, East/West Corridor of Basement, Murray Center (No. 4)

Degrees will be awarded to candidates in alphabetical order within each category. Whether it be fair or foul, please assist the marshals to whatever degree possible by keeping this in mind as you prepare for the procession. Once you are in line, your marshal will hand you an index card. You will present it to the Reader when you reach the platform.

III. Reception and Diploma Distribution

During the ceremonies you will receive a blank diploma case from the President. Your diploma will be available immediately following the exercises at an informal reception. Families and guests should plan to accompany you there. Reception locations will be given in the commencement program book.

IV. About Regalia

Ph.D., C.A.G.S., M.F.A., and M.S.W. candidates will carry their academic hoods (over their left arms) during the procession and their approach to the platform. They will be hooded, on stage, as these are considered terminal degrees. All other masters degree candidates should wear their hoods for the procession.

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