OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
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From: Office of the Registrar
Commencement is Saturday!
Read on for important ceremony details and reminders.
https://commencement.oregonstate.edu/know-you-go
WHAT TO BRING
A small clear bag, with snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, your phone and extra water - there will be water available on the field
All of your regalia, including cap, gown, and tassel (and hoods for Master’s and Doctoral candidates)
Weather-appropriate gear such as a jacket, rain poncho, etc.
WHAT NOT TO BRING
REGALIA
Undergraduates – tassels go on the right side of your cap and are moved to the left after the degree is conferred
Postbaccalaureates, Master’s and Doctoral – tassels remain on the left throughout the ceremony
Master’s and Doctoral – hooding occurs during the ceremony so you will carry your hood until then
LINEUP/PROCESSION DETAILS
Lineup by 9 a.m.– Undergraduates: in any order within your college – your college is listed in the top block in MyDegrees. Master’s: all together in any order. Doctoral candidates: all together in your assigned order.
Check the Graduates Commencement page to view the processional lineup map. Double-degree students 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 as a backup.
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 Begins
Speeches and Opening Remarks
Presentation and Conferral of Degrees
Doctoral students will be invited to stand and have their degrees conferred. They will be hooded in the hooding area, have their names read as they cross the stage, receive their diploma/case, and have their photos taken before returning to their seats.
Master’s students will be invited to stand to have their degrees conferred by the dean and then will be instructed to proceed with their hooding at their seats.
Undergraduate students will be invited to stand with their college and have their degrees conferred and will be collectively recognized by their respective deans.
Closing Remarks
DIPLOMA/CASE DISTRIBUTION & PHOTOGRAPHY
After closing remarks, marshals will begin releasing rows of students to get their diplomas/cases.
Undergraduate students will make their way to their college’s distribution area for photos and diplomas/cases.
Master’s students will proceed to the stage for their photos and diplomas/cases. Marshals and volunteers will guide you.
Pacing: Each line will move at a different pace due to the different approaches each dean takes with the photo and diploma case handoff. When waiting to receive your own diploma and photo opportunity, remember that we are trying to make the moment special for each graduate.
Commencement Card: Hand off your card when you get to the tent.
Photo 1: Have your picture taken with a dean of your college as you receive your diploma/case.
Photo 2: Have your self-portrait taken along with your diploma/case on the side of the tent 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.
Undergraduate and Master’s students leave the field after receiving their diploma/case.
Remember to take your personal belongings with you.
Note: Students who have with no outstanding graduation requirements/holds the week prior to the ceremony will receive their actual diploma during distribution. Diplomas are not a confirmation of a degree.*
~1:30 p.m. Commencement Ceremony Concludes
*Students completing their requirements in spring: your degree is not awarded until you have completed all your requirements with sufficient grades. Monitor your OSU email as you will hear from the Degree Completion Team within a few weeks after commencement as they work through the final grade reviews.
QUICK GUIDE
9 a.m. Lineup
10:00 a.m. Processional begins
10:30 a.m. Processional enters Reser Stadium
~11:00 a.m. Ceremony Begins
~1:30 p.m. Commencement Ceremony Concludes
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Seating for Graduates and Guests
Want to let your guests know where to focus their attention for your college?
Graduate seating
Guest seating
Grads Give Back
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). Check out Grads Give Back for more details.
Have Questions?
Check out the Commencement page and helpful FAQs.
Additional Resources
The ceremony will be broadcast live on the commencement site/live.oregonstate.edu
Commencement Accommodations
Corvallis events, dining, and lodging