Upcoming Commencement News
Fall 2019 Commencement:
When: December 14, 2019
Beginning at: 11:00 AM
Place: Decker Gymnasium
Speaker: Dr. Lee Wright
Commencement Coordinator
Judi Brayer
323 Alumni Hall
jbrayer@mansfield.edu
570.662.4818
Commencement Information for Graduating Students
- Important Dates and Telephone Numbers
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Cap and Gown
- Honors Recipients
- Graduation Announcements
- Flowers and T-shirts
- Photographs
- Parking Shuttle
- Seating
Registration Information has been sent out!
The registration process has begun. Be sure to check your mounties email account to learn about the online registration process. Registration is required of all students who wish to participate in the ceremony. Those students who are not planning on participating are asked to complete only the first question on the registration form.
Other key dates:
Friday, December 13, 2019
Rehearsal will at 11:00 AM. DECKER GYMNASIUM
Saturday, December 14
9:15 -
- Graduates begin robing in 1st floor of Decker
- Individual pictures will be taken (optional)
- Gates/doors open for guests
10:15 - Line up begins in Decker on 1st floor of Decker
10:45 - Procession begins
11:00 - Commencement begins!
Important Telephone Numbers
For the most up to date information regarding Commencement
Commencement Coordinator, Judi Brayer- 570-662-4818 or jbrayer@mansfield.edu
Graduation eligibility and honors status
Registrar's office: Ryan Stanley - 570-662-4201
Student financial accounts
Financial Aid office: 570-662-4129
Student Accounts (billing): 570-662-4888
For emergencies and lost and found
Campus Police: 570-662-4900
Where are the robing rooms?
You can find the robing rooms in the Decker Gym on the first floor.
How long will the ceremony last?
The ceremony normally lasts about 2 hours. Students need to arrive 1.5 hours before the ceremony start to sign in, pick up their stage card, get into their gowns, and line up.
Can guests sit with students?
No. Guests sit in the bleachersand the floor seating.
If the ceremony is held inside, do my guests need a ticket?
Yes, all guests will need a ticket. A child does not need a ticket if they sit on a lap. Make sure you tell your guests to PRINT their ticket and have it with them, or have it ready on their phones, prior to commencement!
Are guests given assigned seats or can I reserve seats?
No, only students and faculty have reserved seats. Seating is first-come, first-served only. Allow plenty of time to get to campus, park, and get through ticket scanning, as seats fill up quickly.
Will I receive my diploma at the ceremony?
No. Diplomas are mailed to the graduates’ home address about two weeks after Commencement. Make sure you have a current address on file with the Registrar’s Office. Note: If your mailing address changes, notify Mr. Ryan Stanley in the Registrar’s Office at 570-662-4201, or e-mail at rstanley@mansfield.edu.
What do I do for line up?
- First, be on time, as delays can alter the lineup.
- Signs in the hallway will direct you to the appropriate room for robing assistance. Immediately following robing, students will line up in the hallways by degree program and then by alphabetical order.
- Marshals will begin the line up at the scheduled time. Line up procedures must be completed fifteen minutes prior to the official start time.
- Please check your stage card number, and the number of the person before you and behind you, to ensure you are in the correct order.
- Once in line, maintain your position.
- The Marshals will move the lines to the location where the processional will start.
- Always pay attention to the person in front of you to make sure they do not take off without you. Do not leave a huge gap between graduates.
- The Marshals will lead candidates toward the seating between the Faculty to the graduate seating
- DO NOT STOP THE PROCESSIONAL TO TALK OR TAKE PICTURES.
- You can give your faculty member a quick hug and move on but DO NOT STOP! Remain standing at your seat.
- Graduates are expected to return to their seats after receiving their diploma and remain seated for the rest of the ceremony.
- Family and guests are asked to remain seated for the entire ceremony and refrain from leaving their seats to take pictures or talk to graduates.
What is a Stage Card, and where do I get mine? (VERY IMPORTANT!)
Stage cards contain your name, line position number, honors program, Commencement honors, degree, legacy graduate info, diploma presented by, and military recognition.
Check in with volunteers in your appropriate room (Decker 113 & 118) to receive your official stage participation card. You must have this card to proceed across the stage. Do not lose your card. Do not bend your card or write on your card.
Is there a dress code for graduation?
Yes, Commencement is a formal academic occasion and should be viewed as such in dress and demeanor. The following guidelines are provided to help you prepare for your Commencement ceremony. The academic robe is black, with a V neckline, which maywill show part of your clothing underneath. The recommended dress is similar to what you would wear to an interview.
Graduates who are not dressed appropriately will be asked to leave the assembly area and will not be allowed to participate in the Commencement ceremony.
Please review the following guidelines:
- Shoes with pointy heels are not permitted.No exceptions as these cause major damage to the gym floor.If you choose to wear them anyway, you will be asked to remove them.
- Flats, wedges, sandals are ok as long as they do not have pointy heels.
- The gown should be mid-calf.
- No jewelry on or over the gown.
- No flowers on the academic robe.
Mortarboard, Tassels, Hoods
- The mortarboard (i.e., the academic hat) should be worn with the front point over the forehead below the front hairline, so the flat board is parallel to the floor. It is not worn on the back of the head with the board pointing upward.
- Note: If you wear your hair up, it is important to not put your hair up too high because the hat cannot sit on your head properly
- Candidates for an undergraduate degree enter the event with the tassel on the right, hanging near the right eye. After the conferral of degrees, the tassel shifts to the left side.
- Candidates for the master’s degree wear the academic robe and mortarboard with the tassel on the left, hanging near the left eye and carry their hood draped over their left arm.
Can I decorate my mortarboard (cap)?
- Yes! Go crazy! Make it spectacular but appropriate!
Honor Cords: When / Where do I get my honor cord?
- Eligible candidates will pick up their honor cord at rehearsal on Friday. If you cannot attend rehearsal, you can pick it up in the robing room commencement morning. Honors designation is based on the semester PRIOR to the semester in which you graduate.
Can I wear my Fraternity/Sorority Cord?
Yes. You are permitted to wear a cord for your fraternity or sorority.
I am a veteran/military student. Do I get a special cord?
Yes . We honor our veterans and military graduates with red, white and blue cords. If you are a military graduate, please pick up your cord from Denise Davey in the Veteran’s Office prior to commencement if possible.
I am a graduate student. Will I receive a cord?
No. Graduate students do not receive cords.
Graduation Decorum.
Graduation ceremonies are joyful events. The festivity includes the dress of the students and faculty adorned in academic regalia and the warmth, joy and satisfaction of accomplishment.
The ceremonies are also a solemn occasion. The actual conferring of degrees signifies long, hard work on the part of everyone involved: students, faculty, administrators, parents and spouses. Due tothe serious nature of the ceremony, students are expected to maintain a measure of decorum consistent with the occasion.
Applause and other recognition of the conferring of degrees should be limited to a joint effort at the conclusion of each graduation group.
Please note these additional rules:
- No alcohol or illegal drugs arepermitted on campus. Graduates who appear to beunder the influence of either will be removed from the lineup and will not participate in the ceremony.
- Candidates should not chew gum or tobacco.
- Air horns or other noisemaking devices are not permittedby graduates or guests and will be confiscated.
- Balloons and other decorations brought by guests should not be brought into the ceremony.
- Large objects can restrict the view of other guests.
Will there be a live webcast?
Yes. There will be a link to the live webcast will be on the Mansfield University website the morning of Commencement.
All graduates, with the exception of Military graduates who may wear their dress uniform, are required to wear a traditional cap and gown to the Commencement ceremony.
Graduation attire is available for purchase at the Mountie Den (Campus Bookstore) beginning November 4. Unfortunately, online ordering is not available at this time.
Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, and Certificate attire includes:
- Cap, gown, tassel & hood
- Cost: $54.45 (fee includes tax)
Master's Degree attire includes:
- Cap, gown, tassel & hood
- Cost: $60.30 (fee includes tax)
If you're unable to visit the Mountie Den to purchase your attire, the bookstore can ship your items to you for a postage and handling fee of $10.95.
Please have the below information available before contacting the Mountie Den via phone to place your order.
- Height measurements
- Phone and address
- Degree or certificate earned
- Credit card information
Special Promotion
PSECU is providing a $20 voucher for your cap and gown set. This promotion runs through Friday, December 13, 2019, and open to current members and those who apply for membership at the PSECU on-campus location during the promotional period. Vouchers are limited so stop by today!
Superior academic achievement at the baccalaureate level is acknowledged according to the following criteria:
- To receive honors recognition at Commencement, a Bachelor's Degree candidate must have completed a minimum of 45 credit hours at Mansfield University prior to the final semester and earned the necessary quality point average for all credits earned at Mansfield University as follows:
- To receive graduation honors and to have them recorded on the student's permanent record, a Bachelor's Degree student must have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours at Mansfield University and earned the necessary quality point average for all credits earned at Mansfield University, as noted above.
CUM LAUDE | 3.35 - 3.64 |
MAGNA CUM LAUDE | 3.65 - 3.94 |
SUMMA CUM LAUDE | 3.95 - 4.00 |
- To receive honors recognition at Commencement, an Associate's Degree student must have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours at Mansfield University prior to the final semester and have earned 3.5-4.0 quality point average for all credits earned at Mansfield University.
- To graduate with honors and have that designation recorded on the student's permanent record, an Associate's Degree student must have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours at Mansfield University and earned the 3.5-4.0 quality point average for all credits earned at Mansfield University.
- Honors eligibility is determined by credits completed and cumulative QPA earned at the end of the Spring 2019/Summer 2019 semesters. If your Honors status changes following the ceremony due to the submission of Fall 2019 grades, it will be reflected on your academic transcript.
- Potential graduates are encouraged to contact Ryan Stanley in the Registrar's office at rstanley@mansfield.edu with any questions or concerns about honors status.
- The Commencement Program will include the level of Honors achievement and the Herald will acknowledge Honors recipients as they cross the stage.
Grads and their families can pre-purchase and reserve their flowers from the Commencement Flowers Company ahead of time, and have them available for pickup the morning of Commencement.
T-shirts will have the names of all grads printed on them and sold out last year, so don't wait to order! There will be a limited amount available for purchase the day of Commencement.
Proceeds from this sale go to the Mansfield Foundation for student support and scholarships. This service is coordinated by the MU Psychology Club.
Please go to the Commencement Flowers Company to order.
GradImages will be on hand to take individual portraits pre-ceremony, beginning at 9:30 AM in Decker Gym and will also be taking two additional photographs: one while each student is on stage, and one when the graduate immediately exits the stage.
GradImages will contact students about purchasing Commencement photos. You are under no obligation to buy these services.
- Parking is free.
- Six shuttle buses operate among the parking areas to transport guests to the entrance.
- Campus Police will direct visitors to the closest available parking.
- Please plan to arrive approximately 1 hour prior to Commencement to allow plenty of travel time to reach campus, park and get seated.
For the Fall Commencement Ceremony, the shuttle operates 9:30am - 1:30pm.
Fall Commencement (December)
The Fall ceremony is always held in Decker Gymnasium. All guests are required to have a ticket. Seating is based on a first-come first-serve basis.
Doors open an hour and a half prior to Commencement beginning.
Spring Commencement (May)
See special instructions for location and time for Spring Commencement.
Special Accommodations
Special seating arrangments are available for those who cannot be seated in bleacher or stadium stands.
NOTE: Due to the many requests that MU receives for special seating, only one family member may be accomodated within the designated special seating area. Special seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved. University representatives will be on hand to assist our guests with special needs.