Commencement

Additional Participant Information

• Arrival

  Graduates should arrive in cap and gown at the ShoWare Center no later than 12:15 p.m. Students should enter through the fenced north receiving area from the outside of the facility. Staging occurs once you enter the receiving area. You will be arranged in rows by college for the processional into the arena. CWU staff will be at the staging location to help assemble the rows. Remember to bring your cap, gown, and tassel.

• Name Cards

  Name cards will be picked up at check-in on Commencement day. You must bring your name card with you to the staging location and carry it into the ceremony. Name cards are only created for graduates who have registered to participate in commencement, so make sure that you have done so by the registration deadline (TBD for 2024).

• Diploma Covers

  You will receive your diploma cover during the Commencement ceremony. It will NOT include your diploma. Diplomas will be mailed by CWU Registrar Services approximately 8-10 weeks following the completion of your degree.

• Commencement Etiquette

  Commencement is a time for your family and friends to recognize your hard work and accomplishments. We ask that students behave accordingly and provide a good example of what it means to be a CWU Wildcat.

  In years past, CWU staff have had to confiscate items not allowed to be brought into the ceremonies. Alcohol, weapons of any kind (including pocket knives), balloons, large signs, backpacks, and other paraphernalia are not allowed at Commencement. Please save your personal celebration until after commencement.

  We enjoy having family and friends at the Commencement ceremonies, but children and other non-CWU graduates are not allowed in the line-up area or in the seating area with graduates during the ceremony. Please make prior arrangements to accomodate your family's attendance.

• Attire

  Dress

  All Undergraduates must wear official CWU regalia (cap and gown) in order to be eligible to walk. Graduates without proper attire will not be allowed to participate. Staff members will be available if you need assistance, however, there are no indoor dressing facilities available.

  Tassels

  The tassel is worn on the right-hand side throughout the ceremony. Tassels will be moved from right to left at the conclusion of the ceremony to indicate the confirmation of your degree. You will receive your tassel with your cap and gown order.

  Honors Tassels are given to students who qualify for honors based on the GPA of all credits earned at CWU.

  • 3.500 to 3.699 - cum laude (red tassel)
  • 3.700 to 3.899 - magna cum laude (silver tassel)
  • 3.900 to 4.000 - summa cum laude (gold tassel)
    

  For questions about Honors and Honors Tassels, please contact the Office of the Registrar 

• Processional
  Ten minutes prior to the start of the ceremony, the processional lines will begin moving toward the arena. The order of the processional will be:

  1. Faculty in two lines 
  2. Undergraduates in two lines 
  3. Faculty Marshal (with the University Mace) 
  4. The Presidential Platform Party
     

  During the processional, please remember: 

  • It is important that you stay in your line. 
  • The Student Marshals may pause and hold your line at different locations for spacing and timing with other lines. 
  • Do not move into the seats until you are directed to by the Student Marshals. 
  • Chair rows will be filled from front to back. Continue to the furthest open chair without leaving any empty.
• Ceremony

  The Commencement program will be available electronically prior to the ceremony if you wish to follow along.

• Recessional

  Remain seated until directed to rise by the Student Marshals. All groups will exit down the center aisle.

  The order of the recessional is: 

  1. The Faculty Marshal (with the University Mace) 
  2. The Presidential Platform Party 
  3. The Faculty (faculty will form a congratulatory line for all graduates to walk through as they leave the arena) 
  4. Undergraduates (Last row will exit first)
     

  You will follow the Student Marshals out of the arena, through the main entrance of ShoWare. Please keep your lines moving until the recessional ends and all students are out of the arena. Please direct your family to meet you on the large patio outside of the front entrance of the ShoWare Center.