1. Check Your Eligibility to March
Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremony in May: Graduate candidates eligible to march in the ceremonies, scheduled throughout the weekend of May 17 – 19, 2024, include the following:
- May 2024 – Review the Graduate Eligibility Sheet.
- Those who have completed their degree requirements by August 2023, December 2023, or May 2024.
- Those who have completed their course work during or before the Spring 2024 semester and will have successfully defended their dissertations/theses and submitted final copies by April 19.
- Those in programs with required internships who have completed their course work during or before the Spring 2024 semester; defended their dissertations/theses and submitted final copies (if a dissertation or thesis is required) by April 19; and will complete their internship over the Summer 2024 term (Students should consult with their Department or the Graduate School regarding their eligibility).
Note: Receipt of commencement information or ceremony participation does not, in any way, constitute certification for graduation.
Also, even if you are marching, your name will not appear in the Commencement Program if you have a FERPA restriction or an outstanding academic issue on your record. If you are unsure of your academic status, contact your academic dean or the Graduate School Office Enrollment Team at gradforms@etal.uri.edu.
2. Check the Spelling of Your Name
Your primary name (not preferred name) will be on your diploma, in the commencement program and in any local newspaper listing. You may also add a “degree name” if you wish to include your middle initial or name on the diploma. Please make sure your name, home address and email address are accurate.
Other considerations:
- By April 1, (October 30th for the December Commencement ceremony) remove any restrictions you may have set including any FERPA holds that will prevent your name from appearing in the commencement program or in your local newspaper. To check your FERPA settings, log in to e-Campus then go to Self Service–> Campus Personal Information –> FERPA Restrictions –> Edit FERPA/Directory Restrictions. To ensure your information is available in the program and to local papers, uncheck all boxes and click SAVE at the bottom.
- Ensure that there are no sanctions or restrictions on your e-Campus record. It is your responsibility to review and resolve any sanctions in order to receive your diploma and be recognized at commencement.
- Check your address. Enrollment Services will send your bachelor’s or master’s degree diploma to the address listed on e-Campus.
3. Register
Spring 2024 Commencement: Registration information found on Commencement Home page.
4. Purchase Caps, Gowns and Hoods
Spring 2024 Commencement: If you plan to participate in May 2024 Commencement, you must wear academic regalia. Regalia may be purchased online through the URI Campus Store at ramszone.uri.edu beginning April 1st 2024. These items are not returnable. A URI student ID is required. The deadline to order your regalia is May 9th, 2024.
There are two types of regalia available to Master and PhD graduates:
- Fine Quality Regalia: Turnaround time is usually 5 – 8 weeks. Pricing ranges from $447 to $896. Students can contact webstore@etal.uri.edu to set up an appointment to be measured. You must have had your appointment to be measured by March 1st, 2024 to order Fine Quality Regalia for the May 2024 Ceremonies. Below are examples of packages and pricing.
- Standard Regalia: Students do not need to preorder and regalia may be purchased in-store or online through URI Campus Store at ramszone.uri.edu. For the May 2024 ceremonies, you can begin ordering regalia by April 1, 2024. Prices for Graduate regalia packages start at $85. These items are not returnable. URI student ID is required.
Honor cords are not available at the Campus Store and must be purchased directly from the honor societies. The tassel is worn on the right until the degree has been conferred, at which time it is flipped to the left side.
Tassel colors for graduate school candidates are black for master’s degree candidates and old gold for doctoral degree candidates.
Master’s degree candidates receive a master’s gown, degree hood, black tassel and cap. Doctoral degree candidates receive a doctoral gown, royal blue hood (exceptions: DPT’s receive a peacock hood and DNP’s receive an apricot hood), cap or velveteen tam and old gold tassel.