Commencement FAQ

Commencement FAQs

Q: What is the difference between Commencement and graduation?
A: Commencement is the ceremony we celebrate your accomplishments as you end your student life and begin your life as a member of the Metropolitan State University of Denver's Alumni Association.  Graduation is the act of completing all graduation requirements, e.g., applying for graduation, ensuring the accuracy of your CAPP report, ordering your cap and gown, ordering your graduation announcements, etc.

Q: Is there a rehearsal for the Commencement Ceremony?
A: No. Graduation Candidates need to arrive at the convention center no later than 1:00 p.m. to get in line with their fellow graduates.  Faculty Marshals will be in the Graduate Assembly Area to answer questions about the processional and the ceremony.

Q: I would like to know if my name is still on the list to graduate this semester. Can you find out?
A: Unfortunately, we do not have access to student's academic records. Please contact the Graduation Evaluation Office at (303) 556-3991 to have your questions answered about graduation status.

Q: I graduated in the Summer and want to walk in the Fall. What do I do?
A: Students are welcome to walk in the Fall commencement ceremony. Please contact the Graduation Evaluation Office at (303) 556-3991.

Q: Where can I find the Graduation Application? When is it due?
A: You can access the application at http://www.msudenver.edu/registrar/student/graduationevaluation/.  The deadline for Fall 2012 has passed (September 14th). The Spring 2013 Graduation Applications are available now.  The Spring 2013 deadline is on February 8th, 2013.  Mailed applications must be post-marked no later than February 8th, 2013.  To alert seniors about the deadline there will be an ad in the Metropolitan Newspaper, an email blast, as well as posters on campus bulletin boards throughout campus.  Remember to read your email so that you do not miss deadlines.

Q: Will my family be able to take pictures of me as I cross the stage?
A:  No. Family members will not be allowed close enough to the stage to take photos of you.  However, a professional photographer will take the picture of each candidate as he or she receives the degree. The photographer will contact each candidate by email three to four days follow the ceremony regarding the option of purchasing photos.  While in the graduate assembly area, please write a legible email address on the back of your name card in order for the photographer to contact you in a timely manner.

Q: I'm graduating with honors.  How do I get my honors cords?
A:  Students who qualify for recognition at the ceremony will be sent a letter from the Dean's Office of the School in which their major is located. This letter authorizes students to purchase honor cords at Cap and Gown Pickup on Tuesday, December 11th, 2012 and Wednesday, December 12th, 2012. You must present the letter to receive your honor chords. 

Q:  I missed the Graduation Application Deadline!  Am I too late?  Can I still graduate? HELP!  I’m freaking out!!
A: If you have missed the Application for Graduation deadline you must apply to officially graduate for a subsequent semester.  There are no exceptions for late graduation applications. You can walk in any commencement ceremony, however, your name will not appear in the program until you complete all academic requirements.

Q: When and where is the Spring 2013 Graduation Fair?
A: Since most of our candidates for graduation conduct most of their interactions online, we are strongly encouraging them to order caps and gowns, announcements and other graduation needs online.

Q: How do I order announcements?
A: There are several vendors that we work with, Herff-Jones or CB Graduation Announcements. You can buy blank announcements or do custom orders at the Auraria Bookstore. You are also welcome to order from any company you choose.

Q: When can I get my cap and gown – how much do they cost?
A: Caps, gowns, and tassels are rented through Herff-Jones. Custom-designed by Herff-Jones, the MSU Denver gowns feature the University's insignia and school colors.  The gowns are blue with red trim, and the official University seal is embroidered on the lapel.  All graduating seniors must wear these at the commencement ceremony.

The undergraduate price for cap and gown is $33.25, the price for master graduates is $59.25 - part of your rental includes your school's designated tassel.  There will also be honor cords, extra degree tassels, and souvenir tassels available during cap and gown pickup the week of the commencement ceremony.  Cap and Gown Pickup occurs the Tuesday, December 11th, 2012 and Wednesday, December 12th, 2012.  We will send email reminders to the graduation candidates – so be sure to check your email regularly!

Q: I live out of state and cannot attend Cap and Gown Pickup. Am I out of luck? Should I just wear my best t-shirt and jeans?
A: You may pick up your cap and gown the morning of commencement. Please arrive by 12:30 p.m. to pick up your cap and gown so that you will have enough time to change and get into line with your fellow graduation candidates. If you did not pre-order your cap and gown, you will need to bring cash for the rental.

If you cannot pick up your cap and gown because of class or work, a friend or family member can pick it up for you. The will need cash (if it was not pre-ordered), the graduation candidate's major, height and weight.

Q: Does my family need tickets to attend graduation? Doest it cost?
A: No. Seating is on a first-come-first-served basis and it is free.

Q: My relative needs to sit in the wheelchair area. Can the rest of my family sit with them?
A: We are not able to guarantee that everyone can sit together. If one or more guests in your party uses a wheelchair or walker, or is hearing or visually impaired, please call (303) 556-6226 or email us to reserve tickets for the ADA seating section at commencement. For every ADA ticket reserved, you may reserve an additional 4 max. tickets for that section. ADA tickets may be picked up at cap and gown distribution on Tuesday, December 11th and Wednesday, December 12th, between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. in the Student Success Building.

Q: When should I arrive at the Convention Center with my family? I want them to have a good seat.
A: The doors for the ceremony open at Noon, however, we recommend that guests arrive no later than 1:00 p.m. There will be large screens in the convention hall so that those in the back of the hall will be able to see the ceremony. Since the ceremony begins at 2:00 p.m. (SHARP), the doors will close at 1:50 p.m. and will reopen after the recessional of the graduates (approximately 4:30pm).

Q: Where do I park? Does it cost anything?
A: Parking on campus is free of charge on Sundays and you are welcome to park in the recommended lots: Dogwood Lot, Holly Lot, Maple Lot, Nutmeg Lot, Redwood Lot and the Tivoli Parking Garage.  For the map and directions please visit the AHEC Parking and Transportation Services website: http://www.ahec.edu/parking/index.htm.

If you park at the Convention Center, there will be a charge.

Q: What is the order for the schools during graduation and when does it change?
A: The order changes every year, NOT every semester. The new order takes effect for the fall commencement. For Fall 2012 and Spring 2013, the order will be: Professional Studies, Business, then Letters, Arts and Sciences.

Q: I have mailed my graduation postcard and have not heard anything about my diploma or graduation status. Can you verify my status for me?
A: We do not have access to academic records. Please contact The Office of the Registrar  (303) 556-3991 or visit their office #160 in the Student Success Building

Q: When will I receive my diploma?
A: Diplomas are typically available mid January for fall graduates and mid June for Spring Grads. Fall 2012 Diplomas will become available January 25^th, 2013. Please contact the Registrar’s Office for specific info at (303) 556-3991.

Q: I have moved and would like my diploma mailed to me, what should I do?
A: Please call Graduation Evaluation Office at (303) 556-3991 or visit the Office of the Registrar website to email any of the Graduation Evaluation staff members to have your diploma mailed.

Q: I want to order a diploma frame. What are the dimensions of the diploma?
A: The diplomas are standard letter size; 8 ½’ x 11’. You can also order a special diploma frame from the Alumni Association at www.msudenver.edu/alumni.

Q: Is there a place where I can watch a video of past Commencement Ceremonies?
A: Go to our Past/Future Event page, which is a tab on our Commencement website.  It is located at the bottom of the page in our archive. You can search by the specific term you are looking for. Here is the direct link: http://www.msudenver.edu/commencement/pastfutureevents/

Q: Our honor society is not recognized as an official honor society. Who can fix that?
A: We can.  There is a form every honor society needs to complete for the commencement committee to review for approval. When completing the form, keep in mind that there can be only one society per major, i.e., i.e. Psi Chi is the honor society for Psychology. If we receive an application for a second honor society for psychology, we will call a meeting to review both so that there will be only one society recognized. The form is available at: http://www.msudenver.edu/honsocs/facultyadvisors/