The Commencement Ceremony takes place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, and is held on the University Mall in front of the east entrance to the Basilica.
All attendees of the Ceremony, excluding those in the procession, should be in their seats no later than 9:30 a.m. to view the Commencement Ceremony.
Students who are currently enrolled and expect to receive degrees in May (i.e., have completed all degree requirements) are required to attend the main Commencement ceremony. If necessary and for a significant reason, a student may request to be excused from the ceremony by the provost of the university. Students not currently enrolled at the university who earned their degrees earlier in the year are not required to be present but are welcome to participate.
Candidates wear caps and academic gowns and carry their hoods that denote the degree to be received. The tassel should be placed to the right side of the cap until their degree is conferred. The Commencement procession will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. Commencement ushers will assist in organizing the procession. Students who have been excused by the provost or not required to attend the ceremony may arrange to obtain their diplomas in the Office of Enrollment Services any time after Commencement or may request that their diploma be mailed.
Candidates for degrees are asked to assemble no later than 9 a.m. (undergraduate arts and sciences graduates no later than 8:45 a.m.) in the following locations behind signage bearing their degree designation:
Commencement programs will be placed on the seats for candidates. Programs will be distributed to guests by the ushers at the exercises.
Candidates from each school are asked to rise when their respective deans are introduced to present the candidates for degrees. After all deans have made their presentations, candidates for baccalaureate and master's degrees will rise and will don their hoods. Candidates for doctoral degrees will be ushered to the steps of the basilica behind the dais while their names are read individually. Candidates stand facing the audience as their degrees are conferred, don their hoods and remain standing for the rest of the ceremony.
If inclement weather precludes holding the Commencement Exercises on the mall, an announcement will be made for alternate locations. Graduates and their guests will proceed to the sites of diploma distribution where degrees will be conferred according to a special schedule.
Be advised that on-campus parking, especially for Commencement is limited.
Every attempt will be made to hold the Commencement ceremony outdoors. In the event of severe inclement weather, an announcement will be made no later than 12:00 p.m. on Friday, May 10 canceling the University-wide Commencement ceremony.
For those on campus, a livestream display of the Commencement Ceremony will also be available indoors on campus starting at 9:30 a.m. in the Pryz Great Room, located on the second floor of the Edward J. Pryzbyla Center, or in the Della Ratta Auditorium, located in Maloney Hall.
Please check the weather forecast in advance and be sure to have the proper rain gear in case of inclement weather. You are permitted to bring an umbrella to the ceremony.
In the case of light rain, the ceremony will be shortened appropriately. If weather precludes an outdoor ceremony, the Provost will make an announcement by noon Friday, May 10. In that case, all degree candidates and guests will move directly to their diploma ceremonies. The President’s Reception will be moved inside the Columbus School of Law Atrium and the Pryzbyla Center.
If the inclement weather plan is enacted the Main Commencement address will become part of the School of Arts and Sciences undergraduate ceremony and will be held in the Great Upper Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at 10 a.m. In this circumstance undergraduates in the School of Arts and Sciences will line up in Memorial Hall at 9:30 a.m., and the procession will begin at 9:50 a.m.