Commencement

✓ RSVP FOR COMMENCEMENT ON SELF-SERVICE

You MUST let us know whether or not you will attend the ceremony. If you are attending, you MUST let us know the names of your guests and the make and model of the car you will be arriving in with your guests.

It will only take a few seconds to RSVP. State your intention of participation or non-participation in Commencement through your Self-Service account by clicking on the Respond to Commencement 2021 link in the Student Links section, beginning February 22, but NO LATER THAN March 15. You should RSVP as soon as possible. If a ceremony is full, no more graduates will be permitted to RSVP. After you respond, you will get a confirmation receipt. Please screenshot (preferred) or print this receipt for your records. Within one week of completing the RSVP form, you will receive two sets of e-tickets. One will be your tickets to the event, and the other will be your parking pass. You must show both sets when you arrive on campus for Commencement, and they will be scanned by event staff. Graduates in academic attire will not need tickets. If you miss the March 15 deadline, e-mail ude.naigroeg@tnemecnemmoc, at which time you will be given instructions on how to proceed and a $25 late fee will be collected.

✓ ORDER YOUR ACADEMIC ATTIRE (CAP AND GOWN)

Immediately after you RSVP to Commencement, a link to the Josten’s website will appear on your Self-Service screen, with your receipt (print or screenshot your receipt before leaving the page). You should follow this link to place your order for your academic attire (cap and gown) for the Commencement ceremony. Use the drop-down menu to select your degree program. Bachelor’s-degree candidates, please select your primary major. Note: Education is not a primary major option for an undergraduate/ bachelor’s degree. Ceremony attire will be shipped to your home address. Please note that Josten’s cannot ship to P.O. boxes; please plan accordingly.

Academic attire MUST be ordered by March 15, when you RSVP on Self-Service. If you did not RSVP and order your attire by the March 15 deadline, your academic attire will NOT be able to be shipped to your home. Students who miss the deadline to order their academic attire after March 15 should e-mail ude.naigroeg@tnemecnemmoc. Late attire will need to be picked up on campus. After April 30, academic attire may not be available. Students can only participate in the Commencement Ceremony if they have academic attire.

✓ OUTSTANDING BILLS

The fee for graduation is $165, which was included in your last tuition bill, regardless of whether or not you participate in the Commencement Ceremony. This includes the cost of your diploma, degree auditing, hood, cap and gown, and other administrative costs. Student accounts must be settled with the Office of Student Accounts by May 17, 2021, for you to be able to participate. Students with outstanding accounts will NOT be permitted to walk in the ceremony.

Those who RSVP their intent to participate in Commencement after March 15, 2021, will be assessed an additional $25 late charge, payable at the Office of Conferences and Special Events.

✓ COMPLETE COVID-19 SCREENING BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL AND MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING WHILE ON CAMPUS

Before arriving onto campus, you and each of your ticketed guests will need to complete the guest COVID-19 screening form at connect.georgian.edu/register/cv19. It is recommended that you fill this out the morning of your Commencement ceremony, and you answer truthfully. Be prepared to show you and your ticketed guests’ clearance to enter campus when you arrive. If your ceremony is postponed, you must complete this form again. If you are traveling from out of the state or country, please keep in mind current travel bans or quarantine requirements. When on campus, you and your guests must adhere to all rules regarding COVID-19 in New Jersey. Face coverings must be worn at all times, even when outdoors. Social distancing must be maintained. If you or any of your guests have any questions or concerns regarding this, please contact the Office of Conferences and Special Events at ude.naigroeg@tnemecnemmoc or 732-987-2263.

✓ REQUEST FOR TIME OFF FROM YOUR EMPLOYER

If you need to have the university send your employer a letter asking that you have release time from work to attend your Commencement ceremony, please provide the Office of Conferences and Special Events (CSE) with the name and address of your supervisor, as well as your name and degree, by May 1, 2021. Please note that we will inform your employer of both your assigned ceremony date as well as the severe weather date. A signed letter will be sent directly to your supervisor, and a copy will be sent to you. Contact CSE at ude.naigroeg@tnemecnemmoc or 732-987-2263.

✓ SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS

If you or a guest require special accommodations, please notify the Office of Conferences and Special Events (CSE) by May 5, 2021. The special needs guests will be attended to by GCU health care professionals. Contact CSE at ude.naigroeg@tnemecnemmoc or 732-987-2263.

The university attempts full compliance with ADA regulations. Trained and certified working service dogs are always welcome on our campus, however, “emotional support” and “therapy pets” are NOT permitted at public events or athletic competitions. Please go to ada.gov/serviceanimals_2010.htm to view a summary of the law.

✓ CALENDAR OF IMPORTANT DATES

Academic Eligibility to Participate
The university holds a Commencement Ceremony in May of each year when May graduates and graduates from the preceding August and December can participate. Students who have completed all requirements for graduation are eligible to participate in the ceremony. Review all graduation requirements at https://georgian.edu/academics/registrar/graduation/.

You must apply for graduation on Self-Service in order to receive a diploma and to be officially graduated, whether or not you plan to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.

Students who wish to participate in Commencement 2021 but fall under one of the following two situations may complete a Non-Graduating Request to Participate in Commencement 2021 Form: (a) lack no more than 6 credits of those required to complete their degree program, or (b) have two majors (or a major and a minor) and are lacking no more than 6 credits of those required to complete their first major degree program, and have progressed far enough in the second major or the minor that it can be reasonably expected that they will graduate in the August or December term after the Commencement Ceremony. Please note that completed Request to Participate forms received by the Office of the Registrar after the March 12, 2021, deadline listed on the form will NOT be processed.

Commencement Lineup
Graduates are to report, wearing cap, gown, and hood, to their room assignment ON TIME. Graduates who arrive after the procession has begun will be seated after the National Anthem and Invocation. NOTE: ONLY the graduates are permitted in the lineup buildings. Ticketed guests must proceed directly to the event venue.

Professional Photos at the Event
Ceremony photography will be provided by Island Photography. In addition to candid photos taken throughout the day, each graduate will be photographed twice—once as they receive the diploma and a portrait taken after exiting the stage. GRADUATES SHOULD NOT POSE ON STAGE. Complimentary color proofs will be e-mailed to your GCU e-mail address from Island Photography. GCU is NOT responsible for photo orders or delivery. All orders and inquiries should be handled through Island Photography at 800-863-0908 or islandphoto.com.

Commencement Announcements
Personalized Commencement announcements may be ordered through the University Bookstore at 732-987-2633 for an additional charge.

University Bookstore Extended Hours
If you need to pick up your academic attire in person, please visit the bookstore during these hours. Students who are on billing hold or who did not pay their Commencement late fee will be unable to pick up attire. If you cannot make it to campus, attire will be available to pick up the day of your Commencement ceremony in Jeffries Hall.
Monday, May 3 & Tuesday, May 4: 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 5–Friday, May 7: 1:00–7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 8: 8:30–11:00 a.m.
Sunday, May 9: 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Monday, May 10: 1:00–7:00 p.m.
Tuesday ,May 11 & Wednesday, May 12: 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 13: 1:00–7:00 p.m.
Friday, May 14: 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Monday, May 17 & Tuesday, May 18 (LAST CHANCE): 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.