Fall 2012 University Commencement
The university commencement ceremonies for doctoral, graduate and undergraduate students
will be held on Saturday, December 22, 2012 in Halenbeck Hall.
FUTURE Commencement Ceremonies
| Fall 2012 | Saturday, December 22, 2012 | Halenbeck Hall |
| Spring 2013 | Sunday, May 12, 2013 | National Hockey & Event Center |
| Fall 2013 | Saturday, December 21, 2013 | Halenbeck Hall |
| Spring 2014 | Sunday, May 11, 2014 | National Hockey & Event Center |
| Fall 2014 | Saturday, December 20, 2014 | Halenbeck Hall |
2012 Spring Commencement Slideshow
10:30 am 2012 Spring Commencement Ceremony
3:00 pm 2012 Spring Commencement Ceremony
Commencement Ceremony Questions and Answers
What is the difference between commencement and graduation?
Graduation is the completion of all degree requirements as recorded on the official transcript, which is held in the Office of Records and Registration. Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates the completion of a degree. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not imply that you have officially graduated.
If you have questions about your official graduation, undergraduate students contact the Office of Records and Registration, 118 Administrative Services Building, 320-308-2111, www.stcloudstate.edu/registrar. Doctoral and Graduate students contact the School of Graduate Studies, 121 Administrative Services Building, 320-308-2113, www.stcloudstate.edu/graduatestudies
When and where are commencement ceremonies held?
Fall semester commencement ceremonies are normally held
at the Halenbeck Hall Gymnasium. Spring semester commencement ceremonies are normally held at the National Hockey Center.
Students graduating during Summer term are invited to participate in a commencement ceremony in the preceding spring semester or following fall semester. There is not a commencement ceremony held in the summer. Undergraduate students please contact the Office of Records and Registration for the appropriate form. Doctorate and Graduate students please contact the School of Graduate Studies for the appropriate form.
In addition to the ceremony, are there events planned for
degree candidates and their families?
College and School Receptions with Recognition of Master's Graduates are hosted by the college and school deans for graduate and undergraduate students to attend. Please contact your respective college or school dean's office for further information.
How do we get specific details about the commencement ceremony and events?
Commencement ceremony registration information will be sent approximately eight weeks prior to commencement to the HuskyNet e-mail addresses of those who have submitted an application to graduate form for the current semester to the Office of Records and Registration or the School of Graduate Studies.
Then, approximately one month before the ceremony, specific details about the ceremony will be sent to HuskyNet e-mail addresses of those who have registered to participate in the commencement ceremony.
Do I have to inform anyone that I plan to participate in the commencement ceremony?
Candidates for graduation must register to participate in the commencement ceremony to receive follow-up information with detailed instructions about participating in the commencement ceremony. Your commencement ceremony registration enables us to plan for the event. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not imply that you have officially graduated.
All graduates are responsible for informing their family and friends. Formal announcements can be purchased through the Husky Bookstore.
Are guest tickets required for the commencement ceremony?
Tickets are not required for guests to attend the commencement
ceremony. However, graduates are asked to limit the number of their guests to eight people or less for the ceremony to eliminate the need for guest tickets. The program will start promptly at the designated time so arrive accordingly.
How long does the commencement ceremony last?
The program usually runs about one and a half to two hours. All graduates are expected to remain seated with their college classmates for the entire program. The program will start promptly at the designated time so please arrive accordingly.
How do I get a cap and gown for the ceremony?
Caps and gowns will be available for purchase at the Husky Bookstore several weeks before commencement. Graduates who
are in overseas programs, student teaching or interning out of town can
contact the Husky Bookstore at (320-308-1489) to
place a credit card/mail order, or can pick up items at the Husky Bookstore
on commencement day.
Caps and gowns may be purchased or provided from sources other than the Husky Bookstore. Caps and gowns are to be all black.
Graduating with honors?
If a undergraduate student meets the requirements
stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin, those honors will be indicated
in the printed commencement program and read along with the graduate's
name during the ceremony. Since commencement is held before the receipt
of final grades, the honor status at the conclusion of the previous
semester is used for the program. The Husky Bookstore will receive
a list of honor graduates enabling them to purchase an honor cord
to wear with their cap and gown. Please bring student ID to purchase cords.
Are diplomas presented at the commencement ceremony?
You will not receive an actual diploma at the commencement ceremony. You will receive a holder for you to place your diploma in after you receive the official diploma by mail. Diplomas are mailed approximately 8 weeks after graduation to the diploma address you provided at www.stcloudstate.edu/registrar. Your diploma will be mailed to you after grades are finalized and your graduation is confirmed. Undergraduate students graduation is confirmed by the Office of Records and Registration and graduate students graduation is confirmed by the School of Graduate Studies. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not imply that you have officially graduated.
Are photographs taken at the commencement ceremony?
The SCSU Alumni Association has arranged for GradImages™ Grad Trak to take photographs of each graduate as they receive a diploma. Information about purchasing photos is mailed to permanent home addresses following the ceremony. The photography service can be contacted at www.gradtrak.com, 1-800-424-3686.
REGISTER with GradImages™ ; this will provide them with the information that they need to deliver your commencement proofs to you in a timely manner. Giving them an accurate mailing address and email address will allow them to get your proofs to you on the first try. You may also provide them with email addresses of up to six friends and family members to allow them to celebrate in the accomplishment. Click here to register with GradImages™.
What if a graduate needs special assistance to participate?
Graduates requiring special accommodations to march in the ceremony should contact the Commencement Coordinator at (320) 308-4933 or commencement@stcloudstate.edu prior to commencement. All facilities are accessible and a sign-language interpreter is on stage during the ceremony.
What parking is available?
Parking will be open in all university lots on commencement day. Street
parking and the 4th Avenue Parking Ramp will be available as posted.
Parking for guests with disabilities for ceremonies at Halenbeck Hall will be provided in Lot M just west of Halenbeck Hall and south of University Drive (10th Street).
Parking for guests with disabilities for ceremonies at the National Hockey Center will be provided in the Husky Pay Lot located between Husky Stadium and the National Hockey Center and extra designated spaces in Lot K to the south of the National Hockey Center. Guests with disabilities drop off is suggested at the northwest entrance, 12th Street driveway of the National Hockey Center (the only ramped entrance for guests).
See the Campus Map for directions to St. Cloud State University and location of parking lots.
How do I find out about local lodging and restaurants for my guests?
Check out local lodging and restaurant listings at the St. Cloud Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Web site: http://visitstcloudmn.com.
Will there be a news release to my hometown newspaper?
The Office of University Communications will send a news release announcing your graduation to the local newspapers. This will occur about 8 weeks after commencement, following verification of your official graduation by the Office of Records and Registration for undergraduate students and the School of Graduate Studies for graduate students and receipt of your diploma.
Can I prevent my name from appearing in the commencement program or
being released to newspapers in an announcement of graduates?
Contact the Office of Records and Registration at least six weeks prior to the end of the semester if you do not want your name to appear in the commencement program. The printed commencement program is prepared several weeks in advance of the commencement ceremony and is a listing of students who have submitted an Application for Graduation with the Office of Records and Registration or School of Graduate Studies by the published deadline for the semester. The printed commencement program is not a list of registered commencement ceremony participants and it is not an official list of graduates.
To prevent your information from being released to newspapers in an announcement of graduates, please contact the Office of Records and Registration.
What if I need to change my graduation date to a later semester?
Undergraduate students please contact the Office of Records and Registration to change your graduation to a future term. Graduate students please contact the School of Graduate Studies to change your graduation to a future term.
What if I have other questions regarding my official graduation?
Undergraduate students please contact the Office of Records and Registration, 118 Administrative Services Building, 320-308-2111, www.stcloudstate.edu/registrar. Graduate students please contact the School of Graduate Studies, 121 Administrative Services Building, 320-308-2113, www.stcloudstate.edu/graduatestudies
