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Graduation

Commencement – Saturday, May 2, 2020

  • Location: Rochester University – Garth Pleasant Arena 800 West Avon Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48307
  • Time: Doors open at 8:00 am. The ceremony begins at 10:00 am.
    Graduates should arrive at the Garth Pleasant Arena at 8:00 am for check-in.
  • Graduates must arrive prior to 9:30 am in order to participate in the ceremony.


Spring 2020 Tickets
Order Academic Regalia
Order RU Diploma Frame
Campus Map

Deadlines

Rochester University will hold commencement ceremonies at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters in the 2019-2020 academic year. Beginning 2020-2021, commencement will be in the spring semester only. Attendance is recommended but not required for graduation. Please see the Graduation and Commencement Application Deadlines chart below. The Registrar must receive transcripts from other institutions by the end of the summer semester. If transcripts have not been received by the appropriate date, the student’s degree will not be posted.

Application

Graduation Audit

Upon receiving a student’s graduation application, the Office of the Registrar conducts an official graduation audit. A graduation audit letter will be sent to the student’s RC email account within four weeks of submitting a graduation application to confirm progress toward graduation.

Graduation/Commencement FAQs

  • What is the difference between graduation and commencement?
    • Graduation is the completion of all degree requirements as recorded on the official transcript. Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates the completion of a degree. There are three graduation terms a year (Fall, Spring, and Summer) and one commencement ceremony at the end of the Spring semester.
  • What is the proper commencement attire?
    • Casual clothing such as jeans, t-shirts, and tennis shoes are NOT allowed for commencement.
  • Are there any awards given out during commencement?
    • No, there are not any awards given out during commencement.
  • Who should be contacted for accommodations during commencement?
    • Please contact the Office of the Registrar regarding accommodations at registrar@rc.edu.
  • How long does commencement last?
    • The ceremony will last approximately one hour.
  • Where can we park for the commencement ceremony?
    • Parking is available outside the Garth Pleasant Arena. There is additional parking in the lots surrounding the campus. Please see the campus map for additional parking information. Campus Map »
  • Will the commencement ceremony be live-streamed?
    • Currently, the ceremony is not live-streamed.
  • Will there be a professional photographer taking photos of graduates?
    • Yes. We will have professional photographers from GradImages taking photographs during before, during, and after the ceremony. The photographers will take a photo of the graduate as they shake hands with the President of the university, as well as a posed photograph after they receive their diploma cover.
  • Where and when do I purchase my graduation attire?
  • How do I receive my diploma?
    • Your diploma will be mailed to the address you provided on your graduation application 8-12 weeks after graduation.
  • How many tickets is each person allowed?
    • Each graduate can claim up to 5 tickets. Everyone needs a ticket, including infants and children. Graduates do not need a ticket.
  • As a guest, may we take photographs?
    • You are welcome to take photographs during the commencement ceremony. We just ask that there is no flash photography.
  • What items are prohibited from being in the commencement area?
    • We prohibit silly string and noisemakers.
  • May I participate in graduation before I actually graduate?
    • Yes. Please see chart below.
  • Where do parents meet students for pictures after the commencement?
    • Family and friends may meet the graduate on the arena floor after the commencement ceremony has ended. Graduates are welcome to take photos with their family and friends inside or outside of the arena.