Undergraduate Requirements & Procedures

Since our first Commencement ceremony in 1924, thousands of graduates, their families and friends have gathered on the picturesque University Green to celebrate the achievements of our academic community. As we welcome you and your guests this year, please use this website to help plan for the day.

Rowan University’s 2012 Commencement exercises for bachelor’s degree candidates will be held on Friday, May 11, beginning at 10 a.m. on the green in front of Bunce Hall. We expect to host more than 10,000 guests on campus throughout the day, so prepare for a busy, yet memorable day. Route 322 will close at 9 a.m. Please arrive early.

A visitor’s guide especially written for Commencement will help you adapt to changes made on campus that day and help you assist family and friends as they join you in celebration. Please expect that guide to be mailed in April and visit www.rowan.edu/commencement for last-minute instructions.

Academic Requirements

The receipt of this information, tickets, robe, etc. or participation in the Commencement ceremonies does not guarantee graduation. Graduation depends solely on the satisfactory completion of all academic requirements of the University. NOTE: Students receiving solely a certification without an undergraduate degree DO NOT participate in Commencement.

Financial requirements

All financial obligations, loans, library books, equipment owed, fines, bills, etc. must be cleared by April 30, 2012. Diplomas, transcripts and teacher certifications will be provided once all obligations are met.

Diploma Information

The Office of the Registrar mails diplomas to the permanent address on file, unless otherwise indicated on the graduation application. A diploma and one official Rowan University transcript are mailed approximately eight weeks after the degrees have been awarded.

Deadlines

Caps and gowns

Candidates for graduation will be measured for caps and gowns at Grad Fair on April 2, 3, 4 and 5, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the new Rowan Bookstore located on Rowan Boulevard. Caps and gowns will be available for purchase in the Bookstore beginning Monday, April 2 through Wednesday, May 9. Unless otherwise noted, all caps and gowns are keepsakes and do not need to be returned after Commencement.

Style	Includes	Fee
Bachelor's	Cap, Gown and Tassel	$35.98

Undergraduate honor cords
Honor cords for bachelor’s degree candidates with academic honors (i.e. cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude) will be available for an additional $12.98 beginning April 2, 2012.

Graduation announcements
The Rowan University Bookstore offers personalized and generic graduation announcements. Beginning April 2, 2012, generic announcements may be purchased at the Bookstore for $16.98/pack. Personalized announcement packages can be ordered at the Bookstore during Grad Fair, online at www.herffjones.com/college/graduation or by contacting Al Leahman at (609) 267-0265.

Diploma frames, class rings and gifts
The Bookstore offers a variety of Commencement-related products with samples on display.  

Bookstore Commencement hours
Wednesday, May 9, 2012 – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday, May 10, 2012 – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday, May 11, 2012 – 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Questions about Bookstore Commencement services and products:
Valerie Wojcik
(856) 881-5960
Wojcik@rowan.edu

Commemorative Book Program
Purchase a bookplate in honor of a friend or loved one. For a suggested donation of $75, you may request to place a bookplate with the name of the person you wish to honor in a Campbell Library book or DVD on the subject of your choice.

A commemorative book is the perfect way to honor anyone connected with Rowan, from the new graduate to the 50-year alumnus. Commencement, birthdays, reunions–any occasion is suitable for this special gift. Bookplates may also be purchased in memory of friends and family members who have passed away.

If you would like to make a commemorative bookplate donation, please send a check payable to Rowan University Future/Fund/FoCaL, along with a note stating the person's name and subject area of the book or DVD in which you would like to place the bookplate, to:

Friends of Campbell Library
201 Mullica Hill Road
Glassboro, NJ 08028-1701

You can also make your commemorative book donation online at: https://focal.rufoundation.org. For more information, please contact FoCaL at FOCAL@rowan.edu or (856) 256-4981.

Rehearsal

Commencement rehearsal is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., May 9 on the University Green. This is an important rehearsal—seating arrangements, line-up and entering procedures will be covered. Please make every effort to attend. In case of heavy downpour, rehearsal will take place in Esbjornson Gym. Please check the Commencement website the morning of rehearsal for rain announcements.

Robing and line-up information

Robing and line-up begins at 9 a.m. for all candidates on Friday, May 11. Education, Engineering, Fine & Performing Arts and certain Liberal Arts & Sciences candidates will robe near the Athletic Field (adjacent to Bunce Hall). Business, Communication and the other Liberal Arts & Sciences degree candidates will robe on Hollybush Road. NOTE: Due to graduation numbers, the location of each college's line up may change. Please attend rehearsal on Wednesday, May 9 for final line-up assignments.

After robing, graduates will form single lines behind their academic major sign and be ready to proceed to the Green no later than 9:30 a.m. Faculty and staff marshal coordinators will assist with the process.

Professional photography

Professional photographers from GradImages will photograph all graduates while receiving their diplomas during the College ceremonies. Proofs will be sent to your home and via email within three to five days after Commencement. Pictures can be ordered online, by phone or by mail. GradImages can be contacted at (800) 261-2576 or via email at www.gradimages.com.