Information for Graduates

• Date:
  • Friday, May 22

• Location:

• IZOD Center, Meadowlands Sports Complex
  50 Rt. 120
  East Rutherford, NJ 07073

• Reporting time: 9:00 am
• Ceremony: 10:00 am
  

Line-up and Procession

Graduating students should report to the exhibition storage area on the lowest level of the arena. Enter the building through the box office lobby and proceed down the escalator. Make a right and continue to the exhibition area. Signs will be posted to indicate specific departmental locations.

Please note: Pocketbooks or other carried articles are not acceptable in the academic procession; please remember to keep your car keys in a safe place.

Academic Regalia

Robes

Students participating in Convocation ceremonies and/or the Commencement exercises are required to wear academic robes. Caps and gowns may be purchased at the University Bookstore during regular store hours beginning May 7 through May 19 (please see University Bookstore website for specific times), May 20 and May 21 from 12pm to 7pm, as well as on May 22 at the Izod Center.  Eligible Bachelor's degree candidates must purchase their regalia in person and will be required to present a valid student I.D. or driver's license at the time of purchase.   Bachelor's regalia is $54. All purchases of academic attire are nonrefundable.

Master's degree candidates must order their regalia through Herff Jones by March 29, 2009. Master's robes are $61.   Orders may be picked up at the University Bookstore during regular store hours beginning May 7 through May 19 (please see the University Bookstore website for specific times), May 20 and May 21 from 12pm to 7pm, as well as on May 22 at the Izod Center. Masters degree candidates must present a valid student I.D. or driver's license at the time of pick up. No orders will be accepted after March 29, 2009, and all purchases of academic attire are non-refundable.

Doctoral candidates participating in the Commencement exercises should contact Dr. Kim O'Halloran, Associate Dean of the College of Education and Human Services, for more information.

Stoles and Hoods

Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Fine Arts do not wear hoods.   All Bachelor degree candidates wear a red stole.

The hoods for the Master's and Doctoral degrees are lined with the official colors of Montclair State University, red and white. The colors of the outside trim of the hood associated with each degrees are as follows:

• Master of Arts (MA): white
• Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT): light blue
• Master of Business Administration (MBA): light brown
• Master of Education (MEd): light blue
• Master of Fine Arts (MFA): brown
• Master of Science (MS): gold

• Doctor of Audiology (ScD): gold
• Doctor of Education (EdD): light blue
• Doctor of Environmental Management (PhD): gold
  

Please Note: Academic Hoods are NOT to be worn for Convocation but will be worn at Commencement.

Graduation Honors

• Summa Cum Laude: 3.85
• Magna Cum Laude: 3.65
• Cum Laude: 3.45

Students who are receiving a bachelor's degree with these honors may wear a gold tassel on their cap at the Commencement exercises. In order to be eligible, you must have completed a minimum of 51 undergraduate credits at Montclair State. Grades of "A" through "D-" must be received for a minimum of 48 of these 51 credits.

For recognition of May candidates at the Commencement Exercises, the honors designation will be based upon the student's cumulative grade point average as of the previous January plus the anticipated MSU credits that will be earned by the end of the Spring semester.

Gold tassels may be picked up when you purchase your cap and gown. University Bookstore employees will have a list of all eligible honors graduates, and students will be required to present a valid student I.D. or driver's license to receive their gold tassel.

The honors designation will appear in the Commencement program. For May candidates who earn honors once the degree is conferred, the designation will appear on the official transcript approximately one month after graduation. It also will be indicated on the diploma, which will be mailed approximately two weeks after the conferment date.

There are no honors designations for graduate students.

Academic Requirements for Graduation

Candidates who will complete their degree requirements by May 2009 and who, after filing for a final audit, are on the May 2009 graduation list are eligible to participate in the Commencement exercises. Those whose degrees were conferred in August 2008 or January 2009 also are eligible to participate.

If you have questions concerning academic issues relative to your degree, final audit, or teacher certification please contact the Office of the Registrar at 973-655-4376. All other questions may be directed to the Office of Alumni and Community Relations at 973-655-5459.

Financial Clearances

All students must meet all financial obligations prior to receiving their diploma or final transcripts. Financial obligations include but are not limited to tuition, room, board, course fees, parking fines, library fines, residence hall fines, and any special fees or fines charged to a student's account.

All students should view their account summary via WESS for payment methods. For information concerning debt associated with parking, contact Parking Services (located in the Red Hawk Deck) at 973-655-7580 or see the Transporation and Parking Services website. For library fines, call 973-655-4191. For all other financial obligations contact the Bursar at 973-655-4105.

Please be aware there is also a $70 Commencement/Graduation Fee billed to all graduating students. This is a non-refundable fee assessed to all students who have filed for graduation with the Registrar's Office. It covers part of the costs associated with Commencement and College or School Convocations.

Parking

The Meadowlands Sports Complex has ample free parking. Guards will be available to direct you and your guests to appropriate parking areas. Accessible parking for students and guests with special needs and who have state-issued license plates or placards is available in Arena Lots 21 and Deck 23.

Leaving the Izod Center

Following the ceremony, guests will exit the Izod Center from the concourse level and graduates will march directly out of the arena through the box office lobby doors. No one will be allowed to remain in the lobby or to re-enter the lobby from the concourse level. Please plan to meet friends or relatives outside the center doors or at their cars.

Diploma and Diploma Covers

Diplomas will be mailed to May degree recipients within two weeks of the degree conferral date (May 22). Diploma covers are provided free of charge and may be picked up with your cap and gown. A valid student ID or driver's license is required.

Announcements

Since there is unlimited guest seating at the IZOD Center, tickets to the ceremony are not necessary. Graduates wishing to send Commencement announcements to friends and family may purchase them at the University Bookstore beginning April 1. Announcements will be $15.00 for a pack of 10 or individually for $1.75 and will be sold on a first come, first served basis.

Yearbook and Class Ring

Contact the Student Government Association at 973-655-4202.

Alumni

Our graduates join the ranks of a proud alumni community, over 90,000 strong, which has the power to influence legislation, recruit deserving students, attract critical resources to the University, and open doors for other alumni.  We encourage you to make use of all the resources available to you through the Office of Alumni Relations.