Graduates, Here’s What You Need to Know About Commencement

Posted: April 09, 2021 | Author: Southern Utah University | Read Time: 8 minutes

Graduates, Here’s What You Need to Know About Commencement Southern Utah University’s 2021 Commencement Ceremony is just a few weeks away and we know you are busy preparing for the end of the semester, final exams, and your graduation celebrations. As you get ready for the big day, here are a few things you need to know as well as the answers to your frequently asked questions.

2021 Commencement Schedule

SUU will honor the class of 2021 with two University Commencement ceremonies. Students and families are invited to attend their corresponding Bell Tower processional, University Commencement, and College Convocation on April 30 or May 1. See below to identify which day you graduate.

Friday, April 30 Commencement

Saturday, May 1 Commencement

Each day of Commencement will include the following events followed by the individual College Degree Convocations.

8:00 a.m. - Commencement Lineup on Upper Campus

8:30 a.m. - Commencement Procession & Bell Tower Tradition

9:00 a.m. - University Commencement Ceremony in the America First Event Center

Each graduate is individually recognized, called to walk and accept their diploma in their respective College Degree Convocations. All College Degree Convocations will be held in the America First Event Center, please note which day your college is listed so you know when to attend.

Friday, April 30

11:00 a.m. - Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business
1:00 p.m. - Walter Maxwell Gibson College of Sciences, including SUCCESS Academy
3:00 p.m. - College of Engineering & Computational Sciences, including associates degrees in CAD/CAM, construction technology, and information technology
5:00 p.m. - College of Humanities & Social Sciences, including associates degrees in criminal justice, legal studies, and paralegal studies

Saturday, May 1

11:00 a.m. - Beverley Taylor Sorenson College of Education & Human Development
1:00 p.m. - College of Health Sciences, including associates of science degrees in equine sciences and livestock farm management
3:30 p.m. - College of Performing & Visual Arts

Frequently Asked Questions About Commencement

How many tickets will be provided for each graduate?
Where do I request tickets for the Commencement Ceremony and College Degree Convocation?
How can family members unable to sit in the AFEC support graduating students?
What will the COVID-19 requirements be for the day of Commencement?
What is the difference between the Commencement Ceremony and College Degree Convocation?
How do I know which college I am in?
What if I am a double major?
Where do I pick up my cap and gown? When is the Grad Fair?
I’m not able to attend the Grad Fair on Thursday, April 29, will there be other times available?

How many tickets will be provided for each graduate?

In an effort to promote the health and safety of all involved, there will be limited assigned seating in the America First Event Center on both days of commencement. Each graduate will be allowed two tickets to the main University Commencement Ceremony on their scheduled graduation day (April 31 or May 1). Each graduate will be also allowed four tickets to the individual College Degree Convocation where they will walk across the stage.

Tickets should be requested by Tuesday, April 13. Additional tickets will be released if available and in compliance with current CDC guidelines. Graduates will be notified via email on April 19, if additional tickets are available.

Where do I request tickets for the Commencement Ceremony and College Degree Convocation?

Graduating students can request tickets for their family members using this Google Form by Tuesday, April 13. Once the form is submitted, the Ticketing Office will work to assign seats adequately distanced from others. Once the seats have been assigned, graduates will receive an email confirmation. You are encouraged to print out the tickets for both the University Commencement Ceremony and your individual College Degree Convocation. Tickets must be presented at both events.

How can family members unable to sit in the AFEC support graduating students?

For family members and friends that are unable to watch the commencement ceremonies live from the America First Event Center, several overflow locations will be open across campus. The entire commencement ceremony and convocations will be live-streamed to the following locations:

America First Event Center 229
Sterling R. Church Auditorium
Sharwan Smith Center Theater
Business Building Rooms 126 & 244 & 246
SUU Auditorium
Randall L. Jones Theatre
Smith Center Ballroom

Graduates and their families are welcome to gather before and after the Commencement Ceremony and College Degree Convocations to celebrate and take pictures across campus.

For those not able to attend locally, the University Commencement ceremony, as well as all College Degree Convocations, will be shared on the SUU live-stream and broadcast on SUTV.

What will the COVID-19 requirements be for the day of Commencement?

In order to keep graduates and their families safe, the following COVID-19 guidelines will be in place for all Commencement events:

Masks will be required for all attendees and graduates at the University Commencement Ceremony and the individual College Degree Convocations
Guests of the graduates will be adequately spaced in the arena to allow for social distancing
Hand sanitizing stations will be present around campus
All attendees are asked to self-assess for COVID-19 symptoms before attending any Commencement activities

For the Class of 2021, graduates are encouraged to be tested for COVID-19 prior to Commencement at the Grad Fair and temperature checks will be conducted the morning of Commencement at the line-up and previous to each College Degree Convocation. Graduates will be required to wear a mask and will receive a new SUU mask at the Grad Fair. Graduates will be seated side-by-side during the University Commencement Ceremony and College Degree Convocations, please help us celebrate safely and protect your classmates.

What is the difference between the Commencement Ceremony and College Degree Convocation?

The Commencement Ceremony is the formal beginning of all college graduation ceremonies. This ceremony starts at the Carter Carillon with the Procession and includes student speakers, a keynote speaker, the awarding of honorary degrees, the moving of the tassel from right to left, and the induction of the graduating class into the Alumni Association.

College Degree Convocations which follow the Commencement Ceremony include addresses from college deans and the announcement of the graduates’ names and formal recognition of each individual graduate.

How do I know which college I am in?

Your college is based on your major. Find your major below to determine which college you are in and what day you will graduate. To verify, graduates can contact the Registrar's Office at 435-586-7715 or registrar@suu.edu.

School of Business
If your major is listed below, you will be graduating on Friday, April 30 and your College Degree Convocation will be held at 11:00 a.m.

Majors: accounting; business education; economics; entrepreneurship; finance; hotel, resort, & hospitality management; management; marketing
Masters: accountancy (MAcc), business administration (MBA), business analytics (MSBA), joint MAcc/MBA

College of Sciences
If your major is listed below, you will be graduating on Friday, April 30 and your College Degree Convocation will be held at 1:00 p.m.

Associates: SUCCESS Academy
Majors: biology, biology education, chemistry, geology, geosciences, physical science

College of Engineering & Computational Sciences
If your major is listed below, you will be graduating on Friday, April 30 and your College Degree Convocation will be held at 3:00 p.m.

Associates: aviation, aviation maintenance technician, construction technology, engineering technology, information technology, pre-engineering
Majors: aerospace/aviation sciences, computer science, construction management, engineering, engineering technology, information systems, mathematics, mathematics education, mechanical engineering
Masters: cyber security & information assurance (MSCSIA)

College of Humanities & Social Sciences
If your major is listed below, you will be graduating on Friday, April 30 and your College Degree Convocation will be held at 5:00 p.m.

Associates: criminal justice, general studies, legal studies
Majors: anthropology, communication, criminal justice, English, English education, French, French education, general studies, history, history education, interdisciplinary studies, philosophy, political science, psychology, social sciences composite, sociology, Spanish, Spanish education
Masters: interdisciplinary studies (MIS), professional communication (MAPC), public administration (MPA)

College of Education & Human Development
If your major is listed below, you will be graduating on Saturday, May 1 and your College Degree Convocation will be held at 11:00 a.m.

Associates: child & family services
Majors: elementary education, family life & human development
Masters: education (MEd)

College of Health Sciences
If your major is listed below, you will be graduating on Saturday, May 1 and your College Degree Convocation will be held at 1:00 p.m.

Associates: agriculture, equine studies, integrated health sciences, livestock management
Majors: agriculture science, athletic training, exercise science, human nutrition, nursing, outdoor recreation in parks & tourism, physical education
Masters: athletic training (MAT), sports conditioning & performance (MSSCP)

College of Performing & Visual Arts
If your major is listed below, you will be graduating on Saturday, May 1 and your College Degree Convocation will be held at 3:30 p.m.

Majors: art, art education, art history, dance, dance education, graphic design, music, music education, studio arts, theatre
Masters: arts administration (MA/MFA), music education (MME), music technology (MMT)

What if I am a double major?

Typically a graduate only walks in one College Degree Convocation. For double majors, the graduates walk with whichever college/major they first declared. To clarify that college, graduates can contact the Registrar's Office at 435-586-7715 or registrar@suu.edu.

Where do I pick up my cap and gown? When is the Grad Fair?

All graduates will pick up their cap and gown at the Grad Fair on Thursday, April 29, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Hunter Conference Center. All graduates are also encouraged to be testing for COVID-19 while attending the Grad Fair.

Caps, gowns and tassels are required for all graduates to participate in both the University Commencement Ceremony and College Degree Convocation. Purchase your cap and gown at suu.edu/graduation.

I’m not able to attend the Grad Fair on Thursday, April 29, will there be other times available?

For those unable to attend the Grad Fair on Thursday, graduates can authorize someone else to pick up their cap and gown by emailing Kol Gibson at kolgibson@suu.edu. Additional questions about cap and gown pick-up can also be directed to Kol Gibson.

All details and Commencement updates can be found at suu.edu/graduation.

This article was published more than 3 years ago and might contain outdated information or broken links. As a result, its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

Tags: Graduation