Mansfield University Commencement

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 bleachers and 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 Sash?

Yes. You are permitted to wear a sash 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.

Graduation announcements are a great way to let your family and friends know you've reached a very important milestone in your life.

Jostens provides numerous packages to fit your budget. You may also purchase your class ring and diploma frames at Jostens.

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.