Search:   This Site | People | Departments | Penn State

Instructions

Below is general information that all graduating students should know. For instructions for specific ceremonies, please also refer to the following pages:


General Information:

It is the graduating student's responsibility to notify the University of his or her intent to graduate. This should be done by using the Graduating This Semester eLion application at the beginning of the semester in which the student plans to graduate. Check the Academic Calendar for the dates when students can activate their intent to graduate.

After the graduation activation period expires, only the status is available via the Graduating This Semester eLion application. In order to change the graduation status, graduate students should contact Graduate Enrollment Services, 114 Kern Building, 814-865-1795 and undergraduate students should contact the appropriate college office.

Printed programs that list the names of students who are graduating are distributed at the commencement ceremonies. If the intent to graduate is activated after the student information has been sent to the publisher, the graduating student's name will not appear in the program.

The option to request attendance at the commencement ceremony of a campus other than the assigned commencement campus is available to undergraduate students. There are restrictions that apply—contact your campus registrar for further details. You will need to complete an Alternate Commencement Site form at any Penn State Registrar's office at least four weeks prior to commencement. If the request is approved, information on commencement details will be provided to the graduating student by the new commencement campus.

The ceremonies will begin promptly at each scheduled time. Doors to the facilities will be open one hour before each ceremony.  Graduating students should be in their seats no later than fifteen minutes prior to the starting time -- seating assignments will be in the back of the general program. After the ceremony, graduates should make arrangements to meet family members and friends outside of the building.

NOTE:  Graduates should allow sufficient time for parking and finding their seats, distances may be lengthy from the parking lot.  Doors to the facilities will open one hour before each ceremony.

See the Registrar's Graduation web site for additional information, such as transcripts, diploma mailing and instructions for name and address changes.