Commencement Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I obtain commencement tickets?
If I'm enrolled in the Los Angeles Program, how will I obtain commencement tickets?
If I'm short a few credits, can I still participate in Commencement?
I graduated in December and will not be returning to the Boston area until just before commencement. Is there a deadline to pick up my commencement tickets?
Can I get extra tickets if I have a large family?
Is there a place I can order commencement invitations?
When will I receive my diploma?
How can I check how my information will appear in the Commencement Program?
How do I order and where can I pickup my cap and gown?
Is commencement seating assigned or general admission?
I have a physically challenged guest attending the ceremony.
Can parents walk up to the stage and take pictures of their graduate walking across the stage?
Will a video of commencement be available for purchase?
How many students will be graduating?
How long will commencement exercises last?
Where do I meet my family and friends after the ceremony?
When will I get my yearbook?
How can I get information about Senior Week?
Can students participating in external programs get on-campus housing in Boston for senior week?
When do graduates living on campus need to move out?
Where is a reasonable place to stay in Boston?
Who is the Commencement speaker?
Are there any events for parents Commencement weekend?
When and where can I purchase tickets for Commencement and Senior Week activities?
Q. How do I request commencement tickets?
A. Every student must file an Application to Graduate with the Student Service Center. Undergraduate students must also have a credit evaluation before his or her last semester of attendance to insure that the student will be academically clear to graduate by the expected graduation date.
Tickets will only be available to students who have been cleared by the Student Service Center.
NOTE: Every student participating in commencement must request tickets to the ceremony by logging on to "Interactive Services" and clicking "Request Commencement Tickets."
Q. If I'm enrolled in the Los Angeles Program, how will I request commencement tickets?
A. You will receive tickets directly from the Emerson College Los Angeles Center staff provided you've completed the requirements above and requested your tickets online.
Q. If I'm short a few credits, can I still participate in Commencement?
A. Students planning to complete their degree requirements as of September 1, 2009 may participate in the College's May Commencement ceremony provided the following requirements are met: (1) the student must have applied to graduate for Summer 2009; 2) the student must have requested tickets no later than April 10, 2009; 3) the student must register and pay for the final course work no later than April 29, 2009. Participation is allowed with the understanding that September graduates do not receive a diploma until degree completion in September.
No student may participate in commencement exercises until all financial obligations to the College are met.
Q. I graduated in December and will not be returning to the Boston area until just before commencement. Is there a deadline to pick up my commencement tickets?
A. NOTE: Every student participating in commencement must request tickets to the ceremony by logging on to "Interactive Services" and clicking "Request Commencement Tickets."
E-mail Commencement@emerson.edu to have your tickets mailed. Only students whose local address is outside the 01400 to 02999 zip code areas may request their tickets be mailed. Tickets will be mailed no sooner than April 13, 2009. All other students must pickup their tickets in person.
Q. Can I get extra tickets if I have a large family?
A. To request extra tickets, e-mail: Commencement@emerson.edu. The availability of extra tickets is not guaranteed.
Q. Is there a place I can order commencement invitations?
A. Personal invitations created specifically with your name are not available from the College.
Q. When will I receive my diploma?
A. Students who will complete all degree requirements in May and have cleared all financial obligations to the College will receive their diplomas after they walk across the stage. All holds, including but not limited to Academic, Library, Financial Services, Loan Exit and Balance holds must be cleared before students receive their diplomas. Students may check their accounts for holds at http://www.emerson.edu/registrar by clicking on the Interactive Services Button or may contact the Student Service Center at 617.824.8655. Students with holds and financial obligations will receive a letter identifying outstanding obligations.
Students who complete their degree requirements over the summer will have a graduation date of September 1, 2009. September graduates receive their diplomas via mail in early October. Students with holds and financial obligations will receive a notice in place of the diploma. Once holds and financial obligations have been met and the account is cleared the diploma will be mailed to student.
Q. How can I check how my information will appear in the Commencement Program?
A. The information for the Commencement Program is taken from the application that you submitted to the Registrar's Office at the time you applied for graduation.
Q. How do I order and where can I pickup my cap and gown?
A. Caps and gowns may be purchased at Emerson College Bookstore 617.824.8696 beginning April 13, 2009. Cost includes the cap, gown, tassel, pin and hood. Note: These are purchases, not rentals. The student keeps the whole outfit.
Q. Is commencement seating assigned or general admission?
A. General admission. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. for Undergraduate Commencement and 2:30 p.m. for Graduate Commencement.
Q. I have a physically challenged guest attending the ceremony. Can that person enter the theatre early? Will there be assistance available to help that person find a seat?
A. Guests who are physically challenged may enter the theatre one half hour before the doors officially open. If you have a physically challenged guest attending commencement exercises, you should alert the Commencement Office prior to noon on Friday, May 15, 2009.
Q. Can parents walk up to the stage and take pictures of their graduate walking across the stage?
A. In general, families are discouraged from approaching the stage. Parents and others attempting to take photographs often block the aisles and the views of other families. Additionally, people in the aisles create a fire hazard.
Please note: The College has invited Commencement Photos, Inc., professional photographers from Tewksbury, MA, to take photographs of all graduating students as they receive their diplomas. Commencement Photos, Inc. will contact each student directly. For more information, please call Commencement Photos, Inc. at .978.851.5924.
Q. Will a video of commencement be available for purchase?
A. Yes. Check this website at a later date for more information.
Q. How many students will be graduating?
A. Approximately 750 undergraduate students and 300 graduate students.
Q. How long will commencement exercises last?
A. Undergraduate commencement exercises are expected to last a full two hours. Graduate commencement exercises are expected to last ninety minutes. Parents and guests are requested to remain in the seating area and clear of the aisles during the processional and recessional.
Q. Where do I meet my family and friends after the ceremony?
A. Parents and guests are requested to remain in the seating area and clear of the aisles during the recessional. Once you have exited the theatre auditorium you will be in a very crowded theatre lobby. It may be wise to designate a specific location to meet your family and friends after the ceremony. A reception on the Boston Common follows each ceremony.
Q. When will I get my yearbook?
A. A. Yearbooks will be shipped to your billing address directly from the yearbook printing plant in late October or early November. Please submit changes in your mailing address through https://interactive.emerson.edu. All address changes for yearbook shipping purposes should be entered prior to May 30th.
Q. How can I get information about Senior Week?
A. Call the Senior Week Hotline at 617.824.8929.Q. Can students participating in external programs get on-campus housing in Boston for senior week?
A. Students who are returning from the Los Angeles and Kasteel Well programs, and are graduating, may get on-campus housing provided they submit an application and deposit by the advertised deadline. In fact, all graduating seniors who live a distance away and are on the registrar's list, will be able to participate in on-campus housing during senior week, provided they submit an application and deposit by the deadline date. For more information, contact the Housing Office at 617.824.8620.
Q. When do graduates living on campus need to move out?
A. By 12:00 noon on Tuesday, May 19, 2009.
Q. Where is a reasonable place to stay in Boston?
A. See the Commencement Hotel Arrangements section of this web site.
Q. Who is the Commencement speaker?
A. The Commencement speaker and honorary degree recipients for each ceremony will be announced later this spring.
Q. Are there any events for parents Commencement weekend?
A. Yes. Please refer to the Commencement Weekend Schedule section of this website.
Q. When and where can I purchase tickets for the Commencement Dinner and Senior Week activities?
A. Prior to April 13, 2009, tickets to the Commencement Dinner will be available by visiting the Department of Professional Studies and Special Programs, located at 80 Boylston St. – Tel: 617.824.8562.
From April 13, 2009, tickets for Commencement Weekend activities will be available by visiting the Department of Professional Studies and Special Programs, located at 148 Boylston St. – Tel: 617.824.8562.
Tickets to the Commencement Dinner may be purchased in person or by calling 617.824.8281 or 617.824.8562 and by using cash, MasterCard, Visa, or American Express.
To obtain EVVY Award tickets, please contact telecharge at www.telecharge.com.
To obtain information regarding senior week activities, call the senior hot line at 617.824.8929.
