Commencement

School of Graduate Studies Commencement Information

When and Where
Commencement will take place on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 4 pm in the O’Keefe Sports Center, 225 Canal Street, Salem. For directions, visit salemstate.edu/maps.

Who Can Participate?
Students, who have completed all degree requirements during the summer 2012, fall 2012 and those completing their requirements by May 2013, will be eligible to participate in commencement. In addition, students who will complete their requirements during the summer 2013 term may participate if they meet specific guidelines. For complete information, visit salemstate.edu/registrar and click on "Graduation Information."

Ticket Information
Each graduating student will receive up to four general admission tickets to the ceremony. A photo ID is required to pick up tickets. Students who are not able to pick up their tickets may send a proxy in their place. The proxy must bring the graduating student’s ID and a note authorizing the proxy to pick up tickets on the student’s behalf.

Please note tickets are non-replaceable if lost or stolen. Tickets may not be copied, duplicated or altered in any manner. In addition, the sale of commencement tickets is prohibited.

Tickets will be available beginning Tuesday, April 9 through Wednesday, April 10 at Salem State’s Grad Finale (click for details).

Beginning April 11 through April 26, tickets will be available at the registrar’s office. Ticket pickup hours will be during normal business hours, Monday – Thursday from 8:30 am until 5:30 pm, Fridays 9:30 am until 5 pm. 

Additional Tickets
Additional tickets may be available upon request. 

Caps and Gowns
Caps and gowns will be available for purchase at the Grad Finale on April 9 and 10, 2013. Beginning April 11, caps and gowns will be available for purchase at the bookstore. Package pricing is as follows: graduate ($68), CAGS ($120). Please email salem@bkstr.com for additional information.

Event Admission Policy
All family members and guests must have a valid bar-coded ticket to be admitted to the O’Keefe Sports Center, including children and guests with disability seating requests. There will be no exceptions. The arena will open at 3 pm.

Any guest who arrives once the ceremony is in progress will have restricted seating options and may be directed to the upper level of the arena.

Parking
Degree candidate and guest parking will be available in lots “B” and “C” at North Campus, South Campus, Central Campus, and the O’Keefe Sports Center. 

Assembly of Candidates
Graduates should arrive at the O’Keefe Center promptly at 3 pm. Late arrivals may not be admitted to commencement activities. If candidates need to leave the arena after checking in, they must show the index card (see below for more card information) and a hand stamp for reentry. Check-in will take place at the bottom of the outside ramp of the O’Keefe Sports Center. Commencement staff will assist the candidates with lining up in the Twohig Gymnasium and will guide them to the seating area on the rink floor.

There is no secure storage for personal belongings at the O’Keefe Sports Center, so please plan accordingly.

Important
At check-in candidates will receive a colored 3 x 5” index card with a number. Keep this card with you at all times. The card will be presented on stage just prior to the announcement of your degree. It is also important that once candidates are placed in order in the gym by commencement staff, the candidates remain in that position. Because degrees are arranged in the order of the student lines, and each graduating student will receive an actual diploma, failure to maintain the correct place in line or to present the card on stage will result in the candidate not receiving his or her own diploma.

Decorum
We ask for your cooperation before, during and after the ceremony in helping us to present a program to your family and friends of which we can all be proud. Please remain in your seats until all graduates have received their diplomas and the ceremony is concluded.

Photography
A commercial photographer with a special high speed camera will take a picture of each student at the moment their degree is presented. A few weeks prior to commencement, degree candidates will receive detailed information in the mail from the photographer. For more information, contact Essex Photographers at 978.388.9832.

No private photographers will be allowed on the floor or near the stage.

Tobacco
Please be aware that since September 2011, Salem State University is a tobacco free campus.

Share your graduation excitement--join the conversation at #SalemState13.