From: Office of the Registrar
Congratulations!
You have RSVP’d to the Commencement on June 17, 2023. Continue to check your email for regular commencement updates and information. Read on for important ceremony details and reminders.
What to Bring/What Not to Bring
-
A small clear bag, with snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, and extra water
- There will be water available
- Remember to have all your regalia, including cap, gown, and tassel
- Remember that alcohol and other drugs are prohibited on our campus
-
As commencement occurs rain or shine consider bringing a rain jacket or poncho
- Umbrellas are not permitted in Reser Stadium
Lineup/Procession Details
Lineup by 9 a.m. with your college – Your college is listed in the top block in MyDegrees.
- Undergraduates: Memorial Union Quad
- Masters and PhDs: Valley Library Quad Clock Tower
- Check out the lineup map! You can line up in any order within your college. Double degrees will have received communication about which college to join for the lineup.
- Find your marshal to receive your Commencement Card.
- Keep your card; it is your pass to the ceremony, photographs, and diploma/case. If you have your phone, take a picture of your card just in case.
- There will be volunteers around to offer help if needed.
- Be prepared to process up to three miles and have moments of waiting as thousands of graduates will be participating.
- Dress for comfort, especially with shoes.
- Restrooms are available in the Memorial Union. There will be portable restrooms on the field, but lines can be long, so using the restroom before joining the lineup is recommended.
10:00 a.m. Processional begins
10:30 a.m. Processional enters Reser Stadium
Ceremony Details
11:00 a.m. Ceremony Opening Remarks
- Speeches and remarks
- Presentation and Conferral of Degrees
- Doctoral and Masters’ students will be invited to stand and have their degrees conferred.
- Undergraduate students will be invited to stand with their college and have their degrees conferred.
- Doctoral graduates’ names are read as they cross the stage and receive their diplomas/cases. Their photos will be taken before returning to their seats.
- Closing Remarks
Diploma/Case Distribution & Photography
After the closing remarks, marshals will begin releasing rows and the undergraduates and masters students will make their way to their college’s distribution area for photos and diplomas/cases. There will be marshals and volunteers to guide you.
- Commencement Card: Hand off your card when you get to the tent.
- Photo 1: Have your picture taken with the dean from your college as you receive your diploma/case.
- Photo 2: Have a self-portrait taken along with your diploma/case on the side of the tent and before you exit the stadium to celebrate.
-
Diploma/Case: You will receive your diploma/case from the dean of your college.
- Double-degree students will go to the tent of the college they processed with to receive both of their diplomas/cases.
- Most graduates leave the field after receiving their diploma/case.
Note: Students with no outstanding graduation requirements and sufficient preliminary grades will receive their actual diploma during distribution.
Diplomas are not a confirmation of a degree*
- Remember to take your personal belongings with you.
- ~1:30 p.m. Commencement Ceremony Concludes
*Oregon State has a long-standing tradition of providing students with their actual diplomas on Commencement Day. Students who are completing their requirements in spring still need to have their degrees officially awarded once final grades are posted. Your degree is not yet awarded until you have completed all your requirements with sufficient grades. Monitor your OSU email for communication regarding your degree status. You should hear from the Degree Completion Team within a few weeks after commencement as they work through the final grade reviews. Once a degree is awarded it will appear on your official OSU transcript.
Seating for Graduates and Guests
Want to let your guests know where to focus their attention for your college?
Grads Give Back
Give your gown to a future graduate afterward! You can help a future graduate who may not otherwise be able to participate in Commencement (while keeping your cap and cords as a memento). Gowns can be donated at the Valley Library June 17-18 and at the Memorial Union year-round. Check out Grads Give Back for more details.
Have Questions?
Check out the Commencement page and helpful FAQs.
Additional Resources
Live viewing of the event developed by Ecampus
Office of the Registrar’s Twitter
Corvallis events, dining, and lodging
Quick Guide
- Bring snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, and extra water
- Bring all your regalia
- Review commencement security guidelines
- Umbrellas are not permitted in Reser Stadium
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Find your marshal in the Quad
- Keep your card and take a picture of it
- Restrooms are available but it is recommended to use the restroom before the lineup
- Keep your personal belongings with you and take them when you leave
9 a.m. Lineup
10:00 a.m. Processional begins
10:30 a.m. Processional enters Reser Stadium
11:00 a.m. Ceremony Opening Remarks
- Speeches and remarks
- Presentation and Conferral of Degrees
- Closing Remarks
- Go to your college’s distribution area for photos and your diploma/case
~1:30 p.m. Commencement Ceremony Concludes