Q: What is the guest hooder policy?
A: DO students may select ONE immediate family member (parent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, or child) or an important mentor. The person you choose does not need to have a terminal degree. MSBS students will be hooded by their program director and will not need to select a guest hooder.
Q: What if I do not have a guest hooder?
A: If you do not have a guest hooder, you will be hooded by the faculty member chosen by the class.
Q: When is the last date that I can register my guest hooder?
A: You will have until March 2nd to select your hooder. If you selected a guest hooder and need to change at the last minute, you can, but you will not be allowed to add a hooder after this date – NO EXCEPTIONS!
Q: Does my hooder need to wear regalia?
A: If your guest hooder owns regalia, they may wear it. If they do not, graduation appropriate attire is fine. Please no jeans, shorts, or flip flops.
Q: Will my guest hooder be able to sit with the rest of my family?
A: No. The person you choose will sit with the other hooders in a different section of the theater.
Q: Will military students be hooded in military uniforms?
A: No. Military uniforms will be worn underneath regalia. After you are hooded, you will the remove your regalia backstage before the military commissioning ceremony.
Q: How can my family get up-to-date Commencement information?
A: Please refer them to the RVU website.
Q: How long is the ceremony expected to last?
A: The ceremony will last approximately 2 hours.
Q: Can we invite our families to the awards ceremony on campus on Friday, May 15th?
A: Yes.
Q: Is the Commencement ceremony mandatory?
A: Yes. The Commencement ceremony is mandatory and is required in order to receive your diploma.
Q: Is graduation week mandatory?
A: Yes. Graduation week is mandatory.
Q: What is the difference between Commencement and graduation?
A: Commencement is the ceremony we celebrate your accomplishments as you end your student life and begin your life as a member of the Rocky Vista University’s Alumni Association. Graduation is the act of completing all graduation requirements (e.g., ordering your cap and gown, ordering your graduation announcements).
Q: Is there a rehearsal for the Commencement Ceremony?
A: Yes, the military rehearsal will take place on Friday, May 15th from 11:30pm-12:00pm. Directly following, a rehearsal for all students (MSBS, DO, Military) will take place directly following the military rehearsal.
Q: Will my family be able to take pictures of me as I cross the stage?
A: No. Family members will not be allowed close enough to the stage to take photos of you. However, a professional photographer will take a picture of each candidate as he or she receives the degree. You will receive information by email on how to download these photos after Commencement.
Note: If you would like a copy of your individual graduation headshot, you will receive information regarding the option of purchasing photos at that time.
Q: I’m graduating with honors. How do I get my honors cords?
A: Students who qualify for recognition at the ceremony will be given their honors cords when they pick up their regalia.
Q: When and where is the Regalia Pick-Up?
A: Regalia pick-up is from 9:00-10:00am on Thursday, May 14th in the hallway on the first floor.
Q: How do I order announcements?
A: On the graduation portal, you will find information about ordering announcements through CB Graduation. You are also welcome to order from any company you choose.
Q: Does my family need tickets to attend graduation? Does it cost anything?
A: No. Seating is on a first-come-first-served basis and it is free. There is no limit as to how many guests students may invite.
Q: What if someone in my family requires disability accommodations?
A: Please contact Erica Whatley at ewhatley@rvu.edu if one of your guests requires accommodation for the 2020 Commencement Ceremony. Please also state the nature of the accommodation (e.g. accessible seating).
Q: When should I arrive at the venue with my family? I want them to have a good seat.
A: The ceremony will begin right on time. Students should arrive 90 minutes before the ceremony. The theater doors will open promptly at 3:30pm and we recommend guests arrive no later than an hour before the start of the ceremony. All seating is first come, first served.
Q: Where do I park? Does it cost anything?
A: The Denver Performing Arts Center parking garage is located on Arapahoe and 13th Street and will cost $15.00.
Q: When will I receive my diploma?
A: Diplomas will be mailed out approximately a month after the ceremony.
Q: I want to order a diploma frame. What are the dimensions of the diploma?
A: For students in the DO Program, the correct size of diploma frames is 14” x 11” and for students in the MSBS Program, the correct size is 11” x 8.5”.
Q: Will the ceremony be recorded or streamed?
A: Yes, the ceremony will be streamed and also recorded. A copy of the recording will be emailed out to the students about a week or two after the ceremony. A link for streaming will be added to the website in May.
