Important Information for Graduates

Degree candidates who do not plan to participate in the commencement exercises MUST NOTIFY THE REGISTRAR’S OFFICE by emailing  (a) name; (b) student ID; and (c) school and major to registrar@salisbury.edu no later than May 1, 2008. Diploma will be mailed to the graduate's permanent address approximately 6 weeks after commencement.

• All graduates are requested to enter through the Civic Center Danang Room entrance to form for processional by 9 a.m. for the 10 a.m. ceremony and by 1 p.m. for the 2 p.m. ceremony.   

• Once inside the arena, students should plan on remaining until the completion of the ceremony. Students are strongly encouraged to take care of all needs (smoking, etc.) before entering the Civic Center.

• Students should NOT bring personal property, such as coats, cameras, purses, backpacks, etc. to graduation. If necessary, the above items can be left in Flanders Room #1.  This room will be locked during the graduation ceremony.  It will be unlocked when the ceremony is over.  Students may pick up their possessions at that time.  SU will not be responsible for these items; students are therefore encouraged to leave valuables with family or friends.  You will not be allowed to carry personal items during the ceremony. Airhorns or other noisemaking devices are not permitted and will be confiscated during the ceremony. Balloons and banners are also not permitted.  

• Students will first be conferred degrees by school (e.g., School of Liberal Arts), and will be asked, by President Dudley-Eshbach, to stand and remain standing until all degrees have been awarded for that school.  President Dudley-Eshbach will then signal undergraduates to move the tassel from the right side to the left side of the mortarboard, and then to be seated.

• Then students will individually be awarded their diploma. The faculty marshals will have given each graduate a card containing his/her name and school, (e.g. Perdue School of Business). The card is to be handed to the person at the podium when the graduate reaches the stage and, at the same time, the graduate is to announce his/her name to the person at the podium, who will then know who the person is and how to pronounce the name correctly. THE NAME ON THE CARD MUST NOT BE CHANGED FOR ANY REASON.

• Students are expected to return to their seats and to remain seated for the rest of the ceremony. 

• DURING THE RECESSIONAL, GRADUATES AND FACULTY ARE TO RETURN TO THE AREA WHERE THEY ASSEMBLED PRIOR TO THE CEREMONY. They should not stop or congregate in the lobby.

• A brief reception for graduates, family members and other guests and faculty will be held immediately following commencement at the Civic Center. The reception is sponsored by the Salisbury University Alumni Association, and at the conclusion of the graduation ceremony, students will be official alumni of Salisbury University.

• All graduates will receive a blank folder at commencement, and all diplomas will be mailed to the graduate's permanent address approximately six weeks after the ceremony. It should be noted that the recognition of graduates and those who will achieve Honors is tentative pending certification of all graduation requirements.

• The ceremony will be professionally videotaped and DVDs are ordered online through the SU Bookstore. The cost is $25 each plus 6% Maryland sales tax plus $6.95 shipping. ORDER DVD OF COMMENCEMENT ONLINE