Prepare for Commencement Weekend
Academic Degree Requirements
The University of Scranton provides the opportunity for students who have completed degree requirements to confer their degree at one of four times throughout the academic year:
- Summer degree conferral: August 31
- Fall degree conferral: December 31
- Intersession degree conferral: January 31
- Spring degree conferral: Date of the formal Commencement exercises which is published in the academic calendar in the beginning of each academic year.
Commencement exercises are held once in the academic year, following the completion of the spring semester. Students that have their degree conferred in the applicable summer, fall, intersession or spring terms may participate in the Commencement exercises.
Special Needs
If you are a candidate for graduation with special needs to access the stage, please contact the Office of the Registrar & Academic Services Office at 570-941-7721 by May 1.
Pick Up Your Attire at GRAD FINALE!!
Dates: Thursday, April 16 from 11:00am-7:00pm and Friday, April 17, 2020 from 11:00am-3:00pm in the DeNaples Center McIllhenny Ballroom
The purpose of the Grad Finale is to provide an opportunity for graduating students to easily complete some of the details associated with the upcoming commencement. During Grad Finale, you can accomplish the following things (which usually takes about 30 minutes - don't worry...there's refreshments!):- Receive your cap and gown from the University bookstore (fee for academic attire is included in the graduation fee); If you cannot attend Grad Finale, distribution of the cap and gown will take place at the University bookstore.
Regular bookstore hours are:- Monday - Friday: 9:00am-4:30pm
- Saturday: 11:00am-3:00pm
- Bookstore hours during Senior Week are:
- Saturday & Sunday: CLOSED
- Monday - Thursday: 9:00am-4:30pm
- Friday: 9:00am-6:00pm
- Saturday (of Commencement weekend): 8:00am-5:00pm
- Graduates who do not attend Grad Finale and are not able to pick up their academic attire on campus prior to their Commencement Ceremony may have their cap, gown and hood delivered to them. Please see directions below.
- Receive 10 Commencement announcements following completion of the Career Development survey. If you cannot attend Grad Finale, both undergraduate and graduate students can pick up your announcements in the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services in O'Hara Hall or at the University bookstore; You can also purchase supplemental personalized or photo announcements and class jewelry through Jostens.
- Register with the Alumni Office to be sure you can keep track of your friends after Commencement;
- Pay for your tickets to the undergraduate Senior Formal and other undergraduate Senior Week events;
- For additional information or questions about Grad Finale, please contact Lauren Rivera, Dean of Students, at 570-941-7680 or in 201 DeNaples Center.
Attire Delivery By Fed-Ex
Graduates who do not attend Grad Finale and are not able to pick up their academic attire on campus prior to their Commencement Ceremony may have their cap, gown and hood delivered to them. There are several request options:
- Graduates may complete a form electronically (providing credit card information) beginning March 1st and email it to mekilo@scranton.edu. The form will be available here beginning late-February.
- Graduates may print the form beginning in late-February (providing credit card information) or enclose a check [with drivers/license number]) and mail it to:
- If time is short, graduates may call Lisa Mekilo at 570-941-7454 (option 1), and provide credit card information and address information over the phone.
Once requested, the cap, gown and hood will be sent to the graduate’s address via FED-EX. Delivery typically takes 2-4 days. Please contact Lisa Meklo with any attire delivery questions at lisa.mekilo@scranton.edu or 570-941-7454 (option 1).
Commencement Dress Code Standards
Academic ceremonies, including Commencement, are important to the history and tradition of The University of Scranton. Commencement ceremonies convey the scholarly tradition and formal tone befitting of an academic ceremony. This document sets forth standards related to the academic regalia worn at commencement ceremonies by students, as well as the process by which student organizations and programs may seek approval to add academic ornamentation to the regalia to signify a student’s membership or association. Ornamentation includes any addition to the university-issued traditional academic regalia, such as medallions, stoles, pins, sashes, ribbons and cords.
Academic Regalia
Candidates for degrees wear the appropriate black graduation gown, mortar board (cap) and tassel. While mortarboards may be personalized, no personal decorations, scarves, shawls, jewelry, corsages or other accessories may be added to the approved gown beyond the academic and ornamentation outlined below. Adornments added to the mortar board should be confined to the top of the mortarboard and lay flat so as not obstruct the view of others at the ceremony or interfere with another’s participation in the ceremony. Only the university-issued tassel may hang or dangle from the mortar board.
Ceremonial Ornaments, Honor Cords, Pins, Stoles and Sashes
Graduates who have distinguished academic achievements or who have participated in a recognized, academically-based student organization may wear a university-sanctioned ceremonial medallion, stole, pin, sash, ribbon or honor cord with their academic regalia.
Examples include:
- Medallions that reflect receipt of a University award,
- Cords that reflect qualified membership in an approved academic honor society,
- Stoles that reflect participation in an academic honor society or study-abroad program,
- Pins that reflect an academic honor or university-recognized professional association affiliation.
Medallions, stoles, pins, sashes, ribbons and other ceremonial ornaments must comply with University standards. Ornamentation must be furnished and managed by the respective university group bestowing the honor. Sashes may not be more than three inches in width.
Master and doctoral degree candidates may only wear university-issued regalia and ornamentation as described above. Medallions, stoles, pins, sashes and other ceremonial ornaments issued to the student while s/he was an undergraduate may not be worn with University of Scranton graduate-level academic regalia.
All ornamentation, including those that use University marks (logo, seal) must be approved by the Office of the Provost at least two weeks prior to Commencement.
Graduates will be asked to remove or conceal any adornments that are offensive or that do not comply with these standards prior to participation in the ceremony.
Questions regarding academic regalia may be directed to the Office of the Provost.
Senior Week Registration and Events
Information regarding Senior Week events, registration, and costs will be available in mid-March. Only undergraduate, full time members of the Class of 2020 are eligible to participate in Senior Week events. For additional information on Senior Week, please visit their website.
Please contact seniorprogramming@scranton.edu with any additional questions.
Participating in Commencement (Placement Cards)
All graduates must have a placement card in order to participate in Graduate or Undergraduate Commencement.
- Placement cards for Master's and Doctoral candidates will be mailed by mid-May 2020. Please click here to review the Graduate Commencement map and reminders.
- Placement cards for Bachelor's degree candidates must be picked up at either the Senior Week Registration on Sunday, May 24, 2020 from 12:00p.m.-3:00p.m. in the DeNaples Center Theater or at the DeNaples Center 1st Floor Lobby on Wednesday, May 27, or Friday, May 29, during Senior Week from 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m. Please click here to review the Undergraduate Commencement map and reminders.
