FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - COLORADO EVENTS

DO Graduates may select ONE immediate family member with a terminal degree at the Doctoral Level (DO, MD, JD, EdD, PhD, etc.) or an RVU Preclinical or Clinical faculty member. If you choose not to select a guest hooder, a designated member of the RVU Faculty will hood you. 

If a DO Graduate does not select a guest hooder, they will be hooded by the faculty member chosen by the class.

You will have until March 1st 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!

Yes, your hooder must wear regalia. If they do not own a set, they can purchase a set through Herff Jones or Amazon. All DO graduates who select a guest hooder will be sent a link with directions on how to order regalia for their hooder.

No. The person you choose will sit with the other hooders in a different section of the theater.

No. Military uniforms will be worn underneath regalia. After military graduates are hooded, they will remove their regalia backstage before the military commissioning ceremony.

Please refer them to the RVU website/University Events tab.

The RVUCOM Ceremony will last ≈ 2 hours.

Yes. The Commencement ceremony is mandatory and is required in order to receive your diploma.

Yes, all graduates will be required to be on campus on Friday, May 19th for rehearsals, photos, regalia pick up, etc.

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, etc.

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 graduates as they receive their degree and a link will be sent to each graduate after the ceremony.

Students who qualify for recognition at the ceremony will be given their honors cords during regalia pick up on campus.

Yes, graduates who were involved in a Track will receive their stole(s) during regalia pick up on campus.

Graduates will receive a link with directions on how to order regalia, diploma frames and announcements through Herff Jones. You are also welcome to order from any company you choose.

No, the venue is large enough to accommodate all of your guests. Seating is first-come, first-served.

Please contact Erica Whatley at ewhatley@rvu.edu if one of your guests requires an accommodation for the Commencement Ceremony. Please also state the nature of the accommodation (e.g. accessible seating, etc.)

The Ellie Caulkins Opera House is located in downtown Denver at the Denver Performing Arts Complex on the corner of 14th and Curtis. Entrance to the parking garage is located on 13th and Arapahoe and can accommodate 1700 vehicles. Parking is $12.00 and can be paid via cash or card.

Diplomas will be mailed out 4-6 weeks after the ceremony.

The DO diploma is 11” x 14”.

No, the ceremony will not be live streamed, but it will be recorded. A link to the recording will be emailed out a week after the ceremony.