St. George’s University
Class of 2023 Grenada Commencement Ceremony
Saturday, May 20 at 10am AST
SGU 2023 Commencement Information
Commencement is held each year in May and is a time to gather and celebrate the incredible achievements of our graduates from the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Graduate Studies.
We realize that parents, students, and families have a lot of questions about commencement. This information addresses common concerns and will be updated regularly.
The ceremony will be live streamed, with a link to the stream posted on the commencement website the morning of the event. A recording of the ceremony will be posted on the commencement website following the event.
Registration
Students must complete the Graduation Ceremony Form in order to be eligible to participate in the ceremony. The Graduation Ceremony Form will be provided to you via your SGU email account. Please ensure that you check your SGU email regularly, as it will serve as the main mode of communicating information.
Tickets
Graduands do not need tickets to participate in the ceremony. Tickets are required for guests to be admitted to the graduation ceremony and are all general admission. Each candidate will receive two (2) guest tickets. Additional tickets may become available but are not guaranteed.
All persons needing a seat (including children 3 years and older), must have a ticket, otherwise they cannot be allowed entry. Children under the age of two (2), may sit on an adult’s lap and do not need tickets.
Commencement ceremonies are free, ticketed events. There is no charge for tickets to commencement; University policy prohibits the selling of commencement tickets for money or commercial value, and violations will result in serious consequences.
Accessibility Accommodation and Special Needs
We aim to accommodate the accessibility and support requirements of any of our graduands and their guests wishing to attend the ceremony. Special seating arrangements may be made for persons with accessibility requirements (e.g., physical, visual) or require a caretaker to attend the celebration.
Send an email to grenadagraduation@sgu.edu with the title ‘SPECIAL ACCOMODATIONS’ in the subject line, at least two weeks prior to the ceremony, with the following information:
- Name of graduand
- Name and number of guests requiring accessible seating/accommodation (total party)
- Phone number where party can be reached on graduation day
- Notes on accommodations needed (For example, walks with difficulty, uses wheelchair, uses motorized scooter, etc.)
We will do our best to accommodate your request; and persons requiring special seating arrangements, will be allowed to enter the venue prior to general seating.
Parking
Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. On the day, you will be guided to the appropriate parking locations. Please bear in mind that you may have to park some distance from the ceremony location. If you have guests that will require a little extra time, make sure to arrive early.
Academic Dress
Students
Graduands must wear appropriate apparel in order to participate in the commencement ceremony.
Regalia for undergraduate and graduate students must be ordered using the Graduation Ceremony Form. Payment (payable at the Accounts Department) must be made prior to regalia collection.
MD and DVM students who intend to take part in the Grenada ceremony are responsible for ordering their own gowns from herffjones.com/college/sgu.
All students are responsible for bringing their regalia on the day of the ceremony. Caps and gowns will not be provided on the day of graduation.
Faculty
Faculty participating in the Grenada Commencement exercise must dress in their full academic regalia, including robe, tam or cap and hood.
Portraits
Guests will not be allowed to approach the stage during the ceremony in order to take photos and/or videos. We appreciate your cooperation, as we strive to ensure the safety of all graduates and guests.
An official photographer will be available at the ceremony to take personal/family photos. Information on the photo packages will be provided via your SGU student email. On the day of the ceremony, photos will be taken of each student when receiving your diploma.
You may also arrange to have seated portraits in your cap and gown.
Ceremony
The ceremony lasts approximately two hours and will include short addresses by distinguished speakers, the conferring of degrees, and the recessional. The ceremony will begin promptly with the academic procession and the entry of candidates.
Guests should be seated at least 30 minutes before the ceremony starts. Regrettably, due to the formal nature of the ceremony, late comers may not be admitted. Therefore, we encourage persons to get to the venue early in order to a comfortable seat.
At the end of the ceremony, the stage party and faculty will lead the recessional, followed by the graduates and then guests.
Awards
Honors Cords
If you receive an academic honors designation for GPA (Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Summa Cum Laude), you will receive your honors cord on the day of the ceremony at the graduand assembly venue.
The names of the students receiving academic honors are identified in the commencement program and on the official academic transcript.
Please note that only students who have completed ALL of their degree program requirements, will be issued the Honors cord. If you are walking (i.e., you are within six (6) credits of completing the requirements), you will NOT be issued an Honors cord.
Undergraduate Student Organization (USO) Cords
USO cords will be distributed on the week leading up to the ceremony. The venue will be announced via your SGU student email. Please contact your USO President/s to ensure that your name is on the list.
School of Medicine Honors
There are four designations for which graduands will receive honor cords: SGA representative, Gold Humanism Honor Society member, Iota Epsilon Alpha Honor Society member, and Research Designation.
School of Veterinary Medicine Honors
There are three designations for which graduands will receive honor cords: SGA Representative, Phi Zeta and VBMA.
Diplomas
Diplomas will either be mailed or can be collected on campus, once the Office of the Registrar has cleared you. The diploma that you receive on stage is a replica, designed to look attractive for the purpose of the ceremony.
Diploma frames and other SGU apparel are available for purchase online. Items will not be sold on graduation day. You may purchase SGU merchandise at sgu.promoshop.com.
Hooders
School of Medicine and School of Veterinary Medicine graduates may choose to have a parent or spouse hood him/her on the day of the ceremony. This person MUST have a medical degree. A copy of license or diploma should be provided with your request. Your request should be communicated on your Graduation Ceremony Form. We will NOT accept hooders the day of the ceremony. Hooders will also require a ticket.
General FAQs
Will there be a live feed for friends and loved ones to view the Grenada ceremony online?
Yes! We will provide a live stream via SGU’s Facebook Page. A recording of the Grenada Commencement will be uploaded to YouTube after the event.
Will I receive my diploma the day of the ceremony?
You will NOT receive your diploma the day of the ceremony. Once the Office of the Registrar has cleared you, you will receive your official diploma in the mail. Please understand that your completion and diploma dates and the date of commencement are independent of one another. Any questions concerning your completion date or diploma date should be directed to the Office of Registrar.
Is there assigned seating?
All tickets are general admission. Guests are invited to enter the venue one hour (1 hour) prior to the start of the ceremony, to obtain their seats.
Dress Requirements
Graduands and guests should dress appropriately. Graduands should keep in mind you will be in a gown, and it tends to get warm. Business casual is suitable for all.
Personal Belongings
Please refrain from bringing any personal belongings on the day of the ceremony. There will be no place to store these items.
How many guest tickets do I get?
Each student will receive two tickets which will give your guests access to the ceremony. Additional tickets may become available but are not guaranteed.
Do my guests need to present their tickets at the door?
Yes. Without a ticket for the ceremony, they will be denied entry.
Are children allowed?
Yes, however it is not recommended to bring children under the age of 5: this is a formal ceremony, which young children may find too long. Children require their own ticket, but children under the age of two (2) do not need a ticket and will be allowed on an adult’s lap.
How long is the ceremony?
Approximately two hours.
Where do my guests park?
Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis. On the day, you will be guided to the appropriate parking locations. Please bear in mind that you may have to park some distance from the ceremony location. If you have guests that will require a little extra time, make sure to arrive early.
Will late guests be admitted?
No, so please make sure your guests know to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. The ceremony will start promptly as scheduled.
Can I make special accessibility requirements ahead of time?
If you have a guest that will need special assistance due to reduced mobility or other accessibility requirements, send an email to grenadagraduation@sgu.edu with the title ‘SPECIAL ACCOMODATIONS’ in the subject line, at least two weeks prior to the ceremony with the following information:
- Name of graduand
- Name and number of guests requiring accessible seating/accommodation (total party)
- Phone number where party can be reached on graduation day
- Notes on accommodations needed (For example, walks with difficulty, uses wheelchair, uses motorized scooter, etc.)
Is there a dress code for guests?
As this is a formal event and a special day for you and your guests, they should dress accordingly. Professional dress is recommended, such as would be worn to church. No jeans, shorts, flip-flops, torn clothing or clothing with offensive symbols or words, etc.
Graduate vs. Graduand – what is the difference?
Until you have formally graduated (i.e., you have become a graduate) you are a graduand.
Ceremony FAQs
Where do the graduands sit?
In designated rows with easy access to the stage. Ushers will be present on the day to guide you to the right location.
Can I sit next to my friend from a different program?
Unfortunately, not, since you will be seated and called to the stage according to the program that you are in.
How will I know when to go up to collect my certificate?
You will be called according to your program. Ushers will guide you on the day.
Where do I get my name card?
These will be distributed in the graduand assembly venue on the day.
I have a difficult to pronounce name!
Please write a phonetic version (i.e., spell it out as it sounds) onto the card in block capital letters.
Is there a rehearsal for the ceremony?
Registered graduands will be provided an instructional video in lieu of a formal rehearsal.
Who do I ask for permission to walk?
If you are within six (6) credits of fulfilling your requirement and wish to walk in May, you should write and formally request permission from the Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences.
Regalia FAQs
Do I have to wear anything special on the day?
Yes, there is a dress code. It is professional dress (wear the clothes that you would go to a formal job interview in!)
Can I alter my gown (e.g., shorten it, add decorations, etc.)?
No. Your gown must be worn in the same state you were given it. Your hood will be sufficient decoration.
Should I clean or iron/press my gown?
No. The gowns have already been cleaned. Do not iron them, as you may damage the fabric. Once you have collected it, hang it up so that it does not become creased.
Can I bring a handbag?
You may find it difficult to manage one in addition to your hat, hood, program, etc., so it is recommended that you keep the items that you will need to carry to a minimum.
When will I get my Honors cord?
On the day in the graduand assembly venue. Please note that only students who have completed ALL of their degree program requirements will be issued with the Honors cord. If you are walking, i.e., you are within six (6) credits of completing the requirements, you will NOT be issued with an Honors cord.
I am walking in May – will I still get an Honors cord?
No, since you have not yet completed the requirements of your degree. If wearing the Honors cord when you graduate is especially important to you, you should delay your graduation until next year when you have completed the requirements.
Where and when do I collect my gown, hood and hat?
Information on ordering gowns will be shared via email. Please ensure that you check your SGU email account regularly, as it will serve as the main mode of communicating information to graduands. Gowns will be available for collection prior to graduation.
Which side does my hat tassel go on?
- Undergraduate students: Before graduating, the tassel should be on your right. During the ceremony, when you graduate, it will be moved to the left (you will be told when to do this!).
- School of Graduate Studies students: it is placed on the left before the ceremony and will not be moved.
Photos FAQs
Can I carry a camera along with me?
Yes.
Can guests take photographs during the ceremony?
Yes, but we would ask that they remain seated or try to minimize the extent to which they may block other guests’ views.
Contact Information
Do you have questions not covered in the FAQs? Please address your queries to grenadagraduation@sgu.edu.
