Commencement

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Instructions to the Graduating Class

Things you should do before Commencement

1. Verify the accuracy of your name and degree as it is listed with your college office. Your name and degree being received will appear on your diploma and in the commencement program exactly as it is listed with your college office. If there is an error, notify your college office by Friday, May 18. Please make sure your name appears correctly, as changes will not be made after this date.

Note: Name changes entered in "My Student Center" through BuckeyeLink will NOT change the name printed on your diploma. To officially change your name on your academic record, you must submit a signed “Request for Change of Record” form along with appropriate documentation verifying your name change to your college office by the date listed above.

2. Make arrangements for your cap and gown. All graduates are required to wear authorized caps and gowns. The Graduate School and some professional colleges also require that graduates wear hoods.

Souvenir-type caps and gowns may be purchased from the Ohio State Bookstore, Student Book Exchange, and Buckeye Books. Ph.D. caps and gowns may be rented at Ohio State Bookstores only. Ph.D. rental orders must be placed at the Ohio State Bookstore by 4:30 p.m., Friday, May 11. The fee is due at the time the order is placed.

Candidates for degrees wear the tam or black mortarboard with a tassel that is a color distinctive of the degree being received. (See Tassel Colors.)

3. Resolve any outstanding financial obligations to Ohio State, such as library fines, parking tickets, or late registration penalties.You will not receive your diploma and may not order transcripts or have other documents released if you have unresolved financial obligations to the university. Questions regarding administrative or financial holds should be directed to the Student Service Center (SSC) at (614) 292-0300.

4. Complete requirements for Student Financial Aid exit interview.

a.) Federal regulations require that all students who received a Federal Direct Loan (formerly Guaranteed Student Loan) while attending Ohio State complete an on-line exit interview prior to graduation. E-mail notification will be sent during the loan recipient's final quarter directing graduates to the exit interview web site. Please read the instructions carefully before completing the interview session.

b.) Students who have received money from the Perkins Loan, Health Professionals Student Loan or Nursing Student Loan Program while attending Ohio State are required to complete an on-line exit interview prior to graduation. Instructions will be sent during the quarter to the OSU or other e-mail address on record in the University Registrar's office. Complete the on-line exit interview as soon as possible as a "hold" will be placed on your records until the interview is complete.

5. Check your grades on the BuckeyeLink website (http://buckeyelink.osu.edu) after you have taken final exams, and watch for e-mail messages from your college office regarding your grades. Grades for exams taken Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday should post by 12 Midnight on Thursday, and grades for exams taken Thursday should post by 12 Noon on Friday. If your college office cannot certify your eligibility to graduate by noon on Saturday, June 9, you may participate in commencement if you choose to, but you will not receive your diploma at commencement.

6. If you are unable to attend commencement, please click here for procedures to obtain your diploma.

7. If you are a graduate with a permanent or temporary disability and may need assistance during the ceremony, please contact the Office of Commencement and Special Events at (614) 292-9051.

Instructions for Rehearsal

Friday, June 8, 2012

1. Assemble promptly by 1:00 p.m. at the class assembly sites in French Field House and RPAC. Bring your line assignment with you. Graduates may park in lots around Ohio Stadium, St. John Arena, Ag Campus, or the Schottenstein Center.

Note: College assignments for the class assembly locations (French Field House and RPAC) will be determined and posted in mid-May. Please check back for this information.

2. Do not wear caps and gowns at rehearal.

3. Find the sign for your college then take your place in line behind your sign. Your college will assign a line number to you. If you do not receive a line assignment from your college by Monday, June 4, please contact your college office. Your place is indicated by your college and the line number you received in the email sent by your college. College personnel will be present to assist you.

4. Rehearsal will last about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Instructions for Commencement Day

Sunday, June 10, 2012

1. Arrive on campus by 10:30 a.m. Bring your line assignment with you.

2. Park in any of the permit zones around Ohio Stadium, St. John Arena, the residence halls, the Schottenstein Center or on West Campus. These are open to you and your guests on commencement day on a first-come, first-served basis. No permit is required. The Arps, Ohio Union, and Tuttle Park Place parking garages will be available at no charge.

Shuttle buses will run from West Campus parking lots to the Sisson Hall footbridge beginning at 9:00 a.m. until one hour after the ceremony concludes. Due to the construction taking place around the Stadium and on Woody Hayes Drive, guests are strongly encouraged to use the West Campus parking and shuttles. It is a very efficient way to get to and from the ceremony.

Disability parking is located in the East Stadium lot on a first-come, first-served basis. A permanent or temporary Ohio or other state-issued Disability Placard is required. The East Stadium lot is accessed from Tuttle Park Place. Please plan to arrive early as reserved parking is not guaranteed. Visit the Transportation and Parking web site at www.tp.ohio-state.edu for further directions. Contact the Office of Commencement and Special Events at (614) 292-9051 with questions.

3. Assemble promptly in cap and gown by 11:15 a.m. at your class assembly site and line up as you did at rehearsal. You will be given a copy of the commencement program that lists your name in proper sequence. One copy is provided for each graduate.

4. Allow extra time if you have guests that need to be escorted to a seat. Ohio Stadium provides easy access for guests with permanent or temporary disabilities. Seating for those guests is located at entry level and throughout the Stadium. Guests in wheelchairs as well as those unable to climb stairs, and one companion, are permitted in these areas. Guests must contact the Office of Commencement and Special Events by June 1 to make arrangements for disability seating. Click on the Disability Accommodations link for further information.

An American Sign Language interpreter will be present during the ceremony. Guests requiring seating near the interpreter should contact the Office of Commencement and Special Events by June 1 to make arrangements. Click on the Disability Accommodations link for further information.

Live captioning of the ceremony will also be available on the north Stadium scoreboard, which can be viewed from seating areas directly on the east and west sides of Ohio Stadium.

View seating chart.

View Ohio Stadium facility diagrams.

5. Advise your guests that certain items are prohibited in Ohio Stadium as a security precaution. No alcoholic beverages, coolers, backpacks, large handbags, chair-back seats, noisemaking devices, mace or similar substances, signs, sticks or poles, or weapons of any type are permitted. Neither graduates nor guests may bring any of these items into Ohio Stadium. Guests are subject to visual inspection of person, bags, and clothing capable of concealing prohibited items. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Items that are permitted include cameras, video recorders, uncased binoculars, small handbags, pagers, cell phones, seat cushions, and clothes for weather conditions.

6. Advise your guests that photographs must be taken from the stands. Only press photographers are permitted on the field. Diploma presentation photos will be taken of each graduate by a professional photographer. Further information and a complimentary photo will be mailed under separate cover.

7. Wear the tassel on the left side of your cap.

The Ceremony

The ceremony begins at 12:00 p.m. No tickets are required. During the ceremony, which will last approximately 2 1/2 hours, the President, the Provost, and your cadet marshals will provide directions. Please listen carefully to their signals.

Graduates who have elected to participate in the commencement ceremony should remain for the entire ceremony. Participation in the ceremony is reserved for graduates only.

The Prelude
In Ohio Stadium from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The Processional
Will move into Ohio Stadium at 12:00 p.m. Please be seated as soon as you reach your proper seat.

Invocation
Please stand at the President's signal.

Commencement Address

Conferring of Honors

Conferring of the Ph.D.
The Provost will ask all Ph.D. candidates to rise and the President will confer the degree. Led by the cadet marshal, candidates will file to the platform, one row at a time. There, each candidate will receive the hood, cross the platform, receive his/her diploma from the President as his/her name is called, return to his/her seat, and be seated. As a courtesy to all others receiving diplomas, we ask that all Ph.D. graduates remain for the duration of the ceremony.

Conferring of Other Degrees
The Provost will ask the graduates from each college to rise and will present them to the President. When all colleges have been presented and are standing, the President will confer the degrees.

Singing of Carmen Ohio
Graduates and guests will be led in the singing of the alma mater.

Awarding of Diplomas
Graduates will rise by rows and move to the diploma boxes as directed by the cadet marshals. Except for the Ph.D.s., graduates' names are not called as the diploma is received.

While every effort will be made to ensure that each graduate will receive the correct diploma during the ceremony, if you do not, go to 281 West Lane Avenue, First Floor immediately following the ceremony. Limited assistance will be provided there for diploma problems (misspelled name, wrong diploma) from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m.

If you do not receive a diploma because there is a "hold" on your record, follow the instructions you received for resolving the hold. If you receive a letter instead of your diploma at commencement, this means the processing and certification of your degree requirements was incomplete, and the university cannot release the diploma without additional action on your part.

Questions about your academic eligibility to receive a diploma must be referred to your college office or academic unit, which you may contact on Monday following commencement. Once degree certification questions are resolved, contact the Student Service Center at (614) 292-0300 or ssc@osu.edu about claiming your diploma, and be sure to explain that you received a letter instead of your diploma at commencement.

If you detect a spelling error in your name on your diploma, contact the Office of Commencement and Special Events, 1060 Blankenship Hall, 901 Woody Hayes Drive, Columbus, OH 43210-4016; (614) 292-9051, after commencement day.

Recessional
After receiving their diploma, each graduate will remain in line. Lines will proceed to the south end of Ohio Stadium and disperse outside. To avoid congestion, graduates should move away from the exit portals as rapidly as possible.

As a courtesy to all those attending commencement, graduates and guests are asked to refrain from using horns and other noisemakers during the ceremony.

Inclement Weather Plan

If commencement cannot be held in Ohio Stadium due to inclement weather, the ceremony must be canceled. No indoor facility on campus can accommodate the graduating class and 50,000 guests. Every reasonable effort will be made to hold commencement as planned.

If it is raining or rain is forecast on commencement day, graduates and guests should come prepared with appropriate rain gear. Ponchos, raincoats, and something to cover wet bleachers are advised for guests. Umbrellas are permitted in Ohio Stadium, but their use during the ceremony is discouraged.

If weather is severe enough (heavy rain, thunderstorms, tornado watch/warning) to necessitate a delay in the start of the ceremony, instructions will be announced on site to graduates and guests. After delaying the ceremony for as much as one hour, if the forecast indicates no change in the severity of the weather, cancellation of the ceremony will be announced, and diplomas will be distributed from other campus locations. Instructions will also appear in the commencement program.

If the ceremony is underway but is interrupted by severe weather, graduates and guests should follow instructions as announced. It is advised that you prearrange a meeting place with your family and guests in case the ceremony is canceled. Graduates only will be admitted to the diploma distribution sites, which will be noted in the commencement bulletin. St. John Arena, Drake Event Center, and various locations on West Lane Avenue are suggested meeting sites.


If you are unable to attend Commencement

1. Verify the accuracy of your name and degree as it is listed with your college office. Your name and degree being received will appear on your diploma and in the commencement program exactly as it is listed with your college office. If there is an error, notify your college office by Friday, May 18. Please make sure your name appears correctly, as changes will not be made after this date.

Note: Name changes entered in "My Student Center" through BuckeyeLink will NOT change the name printed on your diploma. To officially change your name on your academic record, you must submit a signed “Request for Change of Record” form along with appropriate documentation verifying your name change to your college office by the date listed above.

2. Complete a commencement absence form at your college office. This form must be completed if you do not plan to attend commencement. The information you provide is essential for you to receive your diploma.

3. If you would like to receive your diploma by mail, provide a complete mailing address that you are certain will be valid after commencement. Your diploma will be sent by U.S. Mail. Ohio State does not assume responsibility for nondelivery if the address you provide is incorrect. You should receive your diploma within one month. To have your diploma mailed outside the U.S., you must provide the confirmed address in writing to your college office by June 1.

4. If you would like to pick up your diploma, go to the Student Service Center (SSC) on the first floor of the Student Academic Services (SAS) Building, 281 West Lane Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1132, from 2:30 to 5:00 PM on commencement day or during regular business hours June 11 to 15. You may send someone else with a letter granting that person permission to obtain this document on your behalf. If your diploma remains unclaimed after June 15, an attempt will be made to mail it to your permanent address as listed on the student information system beginning on June 18. Diplomas returned will be held for one quarter following commencement. Diplomas requested after this time period must be reprinted at the graduate's expense.

Note: If you do not file a commencement absence form and last-minute circumstances prevent you from attending the ceremony, your diploma can be picked up at the Student Service Center until June 15. If you have not claimed your diploma by this date, it will be mailed to your permanent address, as listed on the student information system, within one month.

 

Your Academic Record and Transcripts

As a graduate of Ohio State, your academic record, or transcript, remains in the permanent safe keeping of the university and documents your academic progress for various purposes.

For detailed instructions about how to order transcripts, go to: http://www.registrar.osu.edu and click on "TRANSCRIPTS" in the "Quicklinks" section.

If you have further questions about your transcript, please call (614) 292-0300 for additional information regarding your academic record.

Tassel Colors

  • Graduate School (Ph.D.) gray; (others) black
  • College of Arts and Sciences
    • BA, BS, Design white
    • Journalism crimson
    • Art Education, Fine Arts brown
    • Music, Music Education pink
  • Fisher College of Business drab
  • College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences maize
    • School of Environment and Natural Resources blue-green
  • College of Dentistry lilac
  • College of Education and Human Ecology
    • Education light blue
    • Human Ecology maroon
  • College of Engineering orange
    • Knowlton School of Architecture blue-violet
  • Moritz College of Law purple
  • College of Medicine green
  • College of Nursing apricot
  • College of Optometry sea-foam green
  • College of Pharmacy olive green
  • John Glenn School of Public Affairs peacock blue
  • College of Public Health salmon
  • College of Social Work citron
  • College of Veterinary Medicine gray

Accommodations

Hotel reservations can be made on a space-available basis at the university's Blackwell Hotel and Conference Center, 2110 Tuttle Park Place, 1-866-247-4003; or the University Plaza Hotel, 3110 Olentangy River Road, 1-877-677-5292. For a list of other hotels located in Columbus or the campus area, click on the Local Hotel Listing link or visit the Greater Columbus Visitors Bureau website. Hotel reservations should be made well in advance of commencement.

Announcements and Yearbook

Graduation announcements are available for purchase from UniPrint at Station 88, located in the Ohio Union, (614) 247-2219. Announcements can also be ordered through the Barnes & Noble-The Ohio State University Bookstore online partner, www.CBGrad.com. Call (614) 247-2000 with questions.

The Makio yearbook is a wonderful keepsake of your Ohio State experience. To order, call (614) 292-8763 or visit the Makio web site.

For More Information

For further information about Spring Commencement, call the Office of Commencement and Special Events at (614) 292-9051. Visit this website regularly for updates, as all information is subject to change.