Commencement 2023

Graduation Requirements and Honors

Graduation

To graduate, students must submit an application for graduation via NEST, successfully complete all undergraduate or graduate program requirements by the end of the graduation term/semester, and the degree must be conferred by the Office of the Registrar on the designated conferment date.

If you have questions concerning academic issues relative to your degree, graduate application or teacher certification, please visit Apply for Graduation or email the Office of the Registrar at registrar@montclair.edu.

Financial Clearances

You must meet all financial obligations prior to receiving your 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 your account.

Please review your account summary via NEST for payment methods. For information concerning debt associated with:

• Parking: Please contact Parking Services (located in the Red Hawk Deck) at 973-655-7580 or see the Parking Services website.
• Sprague Library: Please call 973-655-4298.
• Room and Board: Please contact Residence Life at 973-655-5188.

For all other financial obligations contact Red Hawk Central at 973-655-7600 for support.

If you received federal loans, you will need to make arrangements for repayment. Please visit the Student Loan Exit Counseling and Repayment web page.

Graduation Fee

A one-time non-refundable $95.00 University fee will be assessed to degree candidates for administrative costs related to your diploma. There is no fee assessed to attend Commencement.

Graduate with Honors

Earning a bachelor’s degree with honors is a tremendous accomplishment! Students who earn this distinction may wear a gold tassel on their cap at Commencement.

Honors Eligibility

Undergraduate students who have completed a minimum of 51 undergraduate credits taken at Montclair State by the end of the semester prior to their commencement will be recognized for graduation honors.

School of Nursing students who have completed a minimum of 32 undergraduate credits at Montclair State by the end of the semester prior to their commencement are recognized for graduation honors.

Grades of “A” through “D-” must be received for a minimum of 48 of these 51 credits.

• Cumulative GPA of 3.700 – 3.799 cum laude
• Cumulative GPA of 3.800 – 3.899 magna cum laude
• Cumulative GPA of 3.900 – 4.000 summa cum laude

For recognition of May 2023 candidates at the Commencement exercises, the honors designation will be based upon the student’s cumulative grade point average as of the Winter 2023 term.

Please note that this calculation is for Commencement program recognition only, and will not determine official honors. The actual awarding of honors will be based on academic statistics earned at the conclusion of the Spring 2023 semester, when the degree is conferred.

Honors Tassel

Gold honors tassels may be picked up at the Graduation Fair on Tuesday, May 9, 2023.

Graduates – Doctoral and Masters

Graduate students do not graduate with honors, such as cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude.

The Graduate School is host to the Alpha Kappa Chapter of Alpha Epsilon Lambda Honor Society for Graduate Students.

Students who meet minimum requirements are invited to apply for membership into the Alpha Epsilon Lambda Honor Society.

The invitation requires a completed application, resume, and a membership fee.

Qualifications for membership are:

• Academic achievement in the top 20th percentile of the member’s college in which their degree program resides.
• Successful completion of 18 graduate credits and active matriculation in a degree program.
• Demonstration of leadership through involvement in on-campus or off-campus activities while a graduate student.

Graduate Students that were inducted into AEL may wear their honor cord and pin to Commencement.

Students who have not received their honor cords or pins should email The Graduate School at gradschool@montclair.edu

For more information, please visit the AEL website or email gradschool@montclair.edu

Post-Graduation Survey

Prior to registering for commencement, you must complete the post-graduation survey. The survey is designed to collect feedback about your experience while studying at Montclair State as well as your post-graduation plans. (Learn more about this survey) To access the survey, log in using your NetID and password. Complete the Survey.

Complete this survey for your chance to win a $25.00 Amazon gift card! Winners will be notified via their Montclair State email address and gift cards will be sent electronically. Winners will need to acknowledge receipt of the email to claim the code, failure to do so within one month of notification will result in forfeiture of the prize.

Please Note: Your name will be submitted with your responses. Completing the survey does not guarantee graduation. To check on your graduation application status, you will need to review your Degree Works audit. If you are an August 2022, December 2022, or January 2023 graduate, we ask that you resubmit the survey if you indicated that you were still seeking employment or still researching continuing education programs at the time of graduation, or if your post-graduation plans have since changed. If you submitted any other outcome, you do not need to complete the survey again at this time. If you have any questions, please send an email to careerserv@montclair.edu.

Class Gift

Each year, our graduating class participates in a proud Class Gift tradition where members of the class invest in the University by supporting areas of Montclair that are most important to them. We invite the Class of 2023 to come together to show your support.

All gifts to Montclair count! Make your gift to any area of campus you feel most passionate about – such as the Emergency Book Fund, the Red Hawk Pantry, your school or college, The Fund for Montclair State or athletic program.

Your gift will pay it forward for future Red Hawks and kick-start your philanthropic connection to Montclair State.

• Commemorate your class year! Make a gift of at least $20.22 and you’ll receive your Montclair State Alumni Medallion to wear over your commencement robe.
• For a gift of $40, celebrate this milestone with your family, friends and colleagues by having your message displayed on the screen at Commencement on May 23,2023, at Prudential Center. You will also receive the alumni medallion.

Every student at Montclair has benefited from donor generosity to areas of academic support, emergency funding for students and overall priorities to boost students’ success every day. Thank you for paying it forward!

For more information, please contact James Stewart, Associate Director of Annual Giving, at 973-655-5328 or stewartj@montclair.edu.

Class of 2023 Class Gift

Regalia

Regalia is required for all students participating in Commencement and must be purchased in advance of the ceremony. Regalia will not be available for purchase at Commencement.

Please review package options and ordering deadlines below:

Candidates for Bachelor’s Degree:

• Bachelor’s regalia is black in color and includes cap, gown and tassel.
• Bachelors regalia is for purchase only
• Students have the option to pick up orders at the Graduation Fair (Montclair State University campus on May 9) or ship to residence.

Deadlines:

• March 31, 2023 – DEADLINE for Bachelor orders to be shipped to the school for Graduation Fair Pick up (free delivery).
• April 24, 2023 – DEADLINE for Bachelor Orders to be shipped to your residence ($15.95 shipping fee)

Candidates for Master’s Degree:

• Master’s regalia is red in color and includes cap, gown, hood and tassel.
• Masters regalia is for purchase only
• Students have the option to pick up orders at the Graduation Fair (Montclair State University campus on May 9) or ship to residence.

Deadlines:

• March 31, 2023 – DEADLINE for Master Orders to be shipped to the school for Graduation Fair Pick up (free delivery).
• April 24, 2023 – DEADLINE for Master Orders to be shipped to your residence ($15.95 shipping fee)

Candidates for Doctoral Degree:

• Doctoral regalia is red in color, faced down the front with black velvet, with three bars of the same across the sleeves; includes tam (cap), gown, hood and tassel.
• Doctoral regalia may be purchased or rented
• Shipping options are listed below depending on the option.

Option 1: Purchase

• Fine Quality Custom Package: Includes gown, hood and a custom tam. Designed for those going into academia. $995.00
• Deadline to order option 1 is March 24, 2023.
• Ship to home only. Please allow 6 weeks for delivery.

Option 2: Purchase and Rental

• Purchase a custom tam and hood. Rent only the gown. $365.00
• Deadline to order option 2 is March 24, 2023.
• Ship to University Bookstore only.
• Rental gown must be returned to the bookstore at the conclusion of Commencement.

Option 3: Rental

• Rental Package: Includes a rental gown, hood, and a souvenir tam (students will keep the souvenir tam) $149.00
• Deadline to order option 3 is March 24, 2023.
• Ship to University Bookstore only.
• Rental gown and hood must be returned to the bookstore at the conclusion of Commencement.

*Important: Please note the difference between a custom tam and souvenir tam
Custom Tam – Fidelio Velvet, 2 Button Gold Silky Tassel, Custom Fit (See products page for pictures)
Souvenir Tam – Matinee Velvet, Regular Old Gold Tassel, one size fits all (See products page for pictures)

For any regalia related questions, please email 0356mgr@follett.com

Order Regalia Here

Commencement Registration and Guest Tickets

Registration

Commencement registration is managed in the MarchingOrder system. MarchingOrder provides students an opportunity to register, record their name for correct pronunciation at Commencement, request guest tickets and indicate any accessible accommodations needed. Please review all questions carefully when registering.

If you plan to attend Commencement, you must register in advance. Registration will be open for all ceremonies on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Graduates will receive an email from commencement@montclair.edu, sent to their Montclair State University email account, with instructions on how to register. Registration will close on Sunday, April 16, 2023, 11:55 p.m.

Ceremonies are scheduled based on college or school. Students are only eligible to attend the ceremony in which they have been assigned. You can view your ceremony time on the Commencement website main page and also see your ceremony assignment when you register to attend.

Instructions on how to register:

1. Click on the link to the MarchingOrder registration system that was sent to your MSU email address from “commencement@montclair.edu”to start the registration process.
2. If you didn’t receive the email, go to MarchingOrder, click on “New Users”, and enter your @montclair.edu email address. You will receive an email prompting you to create a new password to access the site. You must enter your Montclair email using the @montclair.edu format. Entering @mail.montclair.edu will not be accepted by the system.
3. Log in and complete the registration process and click “Submit”.
4. You may return to the site at any time by going to MarchingOrder and using your @montclair.edu email address and newly created password.

Guest Tickets

MarchingOrder will allow students to request guest tickets. We are thrilled this year that all graduates are guaranteed up to seven (7) tickets each with the option to request additional guest tickets if needed. This will ensure that each Montclair graduate will be able to bring a substantial group of family and friends to the ceremony while keeping attendance numbers at a level that will support the best experience for all!

After registration for graduation closes, we will distribute any remaining tickets available to those who have requested additional tickets. Please request only as many tickets as you need. We don’t want tickets to go unused when others may need them.

Note: Ticket is only valid for the ceremony listed on the ticket. Graduates do not need a ticket.

Tickets will be distributed at the Graduation Fair on Tuesday, May 9. More information about the Graduation Fair is coming soon!

Commencement Student Speakers

Students’ voices at Commencement are extremely important as we honor our graduates and their families. The Commencement student speaker’s role is to celebrate their peers’ achievements and inspire them to continue on the path to success.

Graduate and Undergraduate students who are interested in becoming the student speaker for their College or School can participate in their college’s speaker selection committee application process.

If you have any additional questions about the Commencement speaker process, please contact msuugeducation@montclair.edu.

Graduation Fair – May 9, 2023

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to join us at the Graduation Fair!

Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 9:00-7:00 PM in the Student Center Ballrooms

Pick Up Your Important Commencement Items:

• Regalia (cap and gown, if you ordered free shipping to campus!)
• Guest Tickets
• Undergraduate Honors Tassels
• Ceremony Name Reader Cards (needed when graduates walk across the stage at Commencement)
• Ceremony and Prudential Center logistical information
• Faculty and staff required event credentials
• Faculty and Staff rental regalia

Don’t forget to bring a photo ID!

Students, faculty, and staff who cannot attend the Graduation Fair on May 9, 2023, will have two options:

1. You may authorize a friend or family member to pick up the items on your behalf.
   • Please complete the Graduation Fair Designated Pick-Up Contact form, and we will release Commencement items to someone other than the graduate. Kindly note the contact designated MUST show a photo ID before we release your items.
   • IMPORTANT: By submitting this form, you authorize Montclair State University to release all Commencement items to your designated contact and assume all responsibility for any loss or damage that may occur after that. The University will not replace Commencement items. We will ONLY release items once the authorization form is submitted.
2. You may stop by the Student Center, 4th Floor, on the following dates to pick up your Commencement items:
   • Thursday, May 11: 9:00 AM-6:00 PM
   • Friday, May 12: 9:00 AM-6:00 PM
   • Saturday, May 13: 9:00 AM-3:00 PM

   Regalia is a separate pickup and will be available at the bookstore during their regular business hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, and Friday, 9:00 AM-2:00 PM. Please note: the bookstore will be closed on Saturday, May 13.

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Students must pick up all Commencement items by Saturday, May 13, 2023.

Arrival Times, Entrance Tower, and Security Screening

Graduates must arrive at the designated arrival times below:

• Feliciano School of Business, College of the Arts: 7:00 a.m.
• College of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Nursing, University College: 12:30 p.m.
• College of Education and Human Services, College of Science and Mathematics: 6:00 p.m.

IMPORTANT TRAVEL ADVISORY: We anticipate heavier-than-normal traffic in and around the Prudential Center. Plan to allow ample time for traffic, parking, and security screening at the venue.

Prudential Center Entrance

Graduates enter Prudential Center through the M & M’s Tower (corner of Mulberry and Lafayette Street)

Please view or print the Prudential Center Entrance Diagram

Security Screening

• All graduates will be subject to a courteous screening via a walk-through metal detector to ensure the highest level of safety and security. Attendees will be required to place their bags, cell phones, keys and all metal objects on the security table prior to walking through the metal detector.
• Limit any personal items you bring, as they must always remain on you. You cannot leave belongings in the graduate lineup or seating areas. Graduates can carry small handbags up to 10”x10” for personal items. Anything larger, including backpacks, is not allowed.

The following items are prohibited at Prudential Center:

• Alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs
• Balloons, signs, banners, beach balls, horns, noisemakers
• Laser pointers, flashlights, fireworks, or balls of any kind
• Selfie sticks
• Outside Food/ Beverages

For a full list of prohibited items, please visit Prudential Center Arena Policy.

Ceremony Overview and Decorum

Ceremony Overview

• Upon entry, event staff will direct graduates to check-in and line-up areas. Guests and children are not permitted in the graduate line-up or seating areas.
• Graduate Processional begins 20 minutes before the ceremony start time so please plan accordingly and arrive on time.
• Ceremonies are 2.5 hours.
• Photos outside Prudential Center: if graduates and guests wish to take pictures outside Prudential Center, we strongly suggest arriving early to take photos before the ceremony.
• Set up a meeting location: before the ceremony begins, plan a spot where you and your guests will meet after the ceremony. A timely exit from the venue and parking areas ensures availability and preparation for the next ceremony of graduates and guests.

Decorum

Commencement is a dignified ceremony marking a special time of achievement and accomplishment. The ceremony is marked by dignity and seriousness as the conferring of degrees signifies long, hard work on the part of everyone involved including students, faculty members, administrators, family members and friends. Excitement, joy and enthusiasm are expected and welcome!

However, we ask that all of our graduates conduct themselves in an appropriate manner that demonstrates respect toward their fellow graduates, guests, and the speakers on stage. We ask for your commitment to help ensure the ceremonies are a meaningful experience for all by courteously bearing in mind the rights and feelings of all the participants and guests.

• Arrive at the designated graduate arrival time for your Commencement.
• Follow all instructions by event staff. They are here to assist you and ensure the ceremony is a meaningful experience.
• Remain at your seat for the entire ceremony unless directed by event staff. Movement on the floor where graduates are seated is distracting to guests, your fellow graduates, and it is disrespectful to the speakers on stage.
• Please be courteous and do not leave the arena until all degrees have been conferred, and the platform party has departed. We ask that you be respectful to all graduates attending Commencement. Event staff will cue you to begin the recessional from the arena.
• Silence all electronic devices during the ceremony as a courtesy to those around you.
• Do not bring prohibited items (i.e. air horns, food, alcoholic beverages, noisemakers, balloons, beach balls). For a full list of prohibited items, please visit Prudential Center Arena Policy

Directions and Transportation

IMPORTANT TRAVEL ADVISORY: We anticipate heavier-than-normal traffic in and around the Prudential Center. Plan to allow ample time for traffic, parking, and security screening at the venue.

Prudential Center
25 Lafayette Street
Newark, NJ 07102

We strongly suggest that guests use public transportation, rideshare services, or carpool with family and friends. Highways surrounding the arena include 280, 78, NJ Turnpike, 1 & 9, 21, 22, Garden State Parkway, 80, and NJ 3. For detailed driving directions, please visit the Prudential Center Directions website.

Public Transportation

Prudential Center is located in downtown Newark, just two blocks from Newark Penn Station, and is also connected to the Newark Broad Street Station by frequent, convenient bus and light-rail service.

Please visit the Prudential Center Public Transportation website for more information to plan your trip.

Parking

Parking will be available for a fee at lots and garages surrounding Prudential Center. Please visit the Prudential Center Parking website for a detailed map and directions to these locations.

Important Reminders for Graduates

• Don’t forget your Ceremony Name Reader Card! Graduates will need a reader card when they walk across the stage during the ceremony. Do not crumble or write on the reader card.
• Graduates must wear their regalia (cap, gown, hood and tassel) and consider wearing flat, comfortable shoes as they will walk throughout the arena for line up, the Graduate Processional, and across the stage during the ceremony.
• Arrive at the designated graduate arrival time for your ceremony. Graduate Processional begins 20 minutes prior to the ceremony start time.
• Photos outside Prudential Center: if graduates and guests wish to take pictures outside Prudential Center, we strongly suggest arriving early to take photos before the ceremony.
• Set up a meeting location: before the ceremony begins, plan a spot where you and your guests will meet after the ceremony. A timely exit from the venue and parking areas ensures availability and preparation for the next ceremony of graduates and guests.
• Guest Tickets: All guests must have an authorized ticket to enter Prudential Center. Graduates do not need a ticket. Tickets are specific to each commencement ceremony, so ensure the tickets you give to guests are for the correct ceremony
• All ceremonies will be livestreamed.
• Accessible Accommodations: Any graduate who needs accessible accommodations may contact Francesca Leite at leitef@montclair.edu

Please continue to check your Montclair State email address and visit the Commencement website for updated information.

Senior Sendoff: at Yogi Berra Stadium

Calling all graduates!

The Student Government Association Inc., in conjunction with Student Development & Campus Life are inviting you to Senior Sendoff: at Yogi Berra Stadium on May 16th from 4:30-9:30 p.m.

Enjoy a night out celebrating the Class of 2023 and all their accomplishments. There will be food, live music, a toast, giveaways, and so much more. The night will conclude with a fireworks display.

The event is open to the Class of 2023, families, faculty, staff, and students.

Registration is open now and more details can be found here regarding tickets and registration.

Who: The Class of 2023, Families, Faculty, Staff, and Students
Where: Yogi Berra Stadium
When: Tuesday, May 16, 4:30-9:30pm
What: Senior Sendoff: at Yogi Berra Stadium Enjoy a night with photo opportunities, activities, live music, food, and a fire works display.

Faculty and Staff Registration, Credential Distribution, and Security Screening Procedures

Registration for all Ceremonies

Advanced registration is required for all Commencement staff volunteers and the faculty and staff participating in the processional. Registration will close on Monday, April 17, 2023.

Advanced registration is required for all Commencement staff volunteers and the faculty and staff participating in the processional.
Please register to attend Commencement at the links below

• Commencement Staff Volunteers Registration
• Faculty and Staff Participating in the Processional Registration

Event Credential Distribution

All commencement staff volunteers and faculty and staff participating in the processional must wear Prudential Center event credentials to enter the venue.

Platform Party Processional Participants may pick up event credential packets at the Graduation Fair on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 , 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. in the Student Center Ballrooms.

Volunteer Staff will receive event credential packets and staffing plans at the Commencement meeting on May 17 and May 18.

Security Screening Procedures

All attendees are subject to a security check. Attendees should plan on passing through magnetometers and/or hand wand screening upon entering the venue and allow for this when planning their arrival time. Handbags are permitted but are subject to a bag check. All attendees must wear Prudential Center event credentials.

Faculty and Staff Venue Arrival

We anticipate heavier than normal traffic in Newark and around Prudential Center. Plan accordingly to allow ample time for traffic, parking and security screening at the venue. It is strongly suggested that all faculty and staff register for the complimentary shuttle service to and from Prudential Center. Parking is limited.

All faculty and staff will enter the venue at the doors marked VIP WEST, located on Devil’s Way.

View or print the Prudential Center Entrance Diagram

College of the Arts, Feliciano School of Business

• Staff Volunteers: Please report to Prudential Center at 6:00 a.m. and proceed to the designated reporting location.
• Faculty and Staff Participating in the Processional: Please report to Prudential Center at 7:30 a.m. and proceed to the President’s Robing Room in the M Lounge by BMW.

College of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Nursing, University College

• Staff Volunteers: Please report to Prudential Center at 10:30 a.m. and proceed to the designated reporting location.
• Faculty and Staff Participating in the Processional: Please report to Prudential Center at 1:00 p.m. and proceed to the President’s Robing Room in the M Lounge by BMW.

College of Education and Human Services, College of Science and Mathematics

• Staff Volunteers: Please report to Prudential Center at 4:00 p.m. and proceed to the designated reporting location.
• Faculty and Staff Participating in the Processional: Please report to Prudential Center at 6:30 p.m. and proceed to the President’s Robing Room in the M Lounge by BMW.

Faculty and Staff Transportation

Please indicate your transportation needs when registering. We anticipate heavier than normal traffic in Newark and around Prudential Center. Plan accordingly to allow ample time for traffic, parking and security screening at the venue. Parking is extremely limited.

Venue map is coming soon!

Shuttle Service

For your convenience, we will provide round trip shuttle service to and from Prudential Center for all ceremonies. It is strongly suggested that all faculty and staff register for the complimentary shuttle service to and from Prudential Center.

College of the Arts, Feliciano School of Business

• Staff Volunteers: Shuttles will depart Red Hawk Deck at 5:00 a.m. Shuttles will return to Montclair State University at the conclusion of Commencement.
• Faculty and Staff Participating in the Processional: Shuttles will depart Red Hawk Deck at 6:30 a.m. Shuttles will return to Montclair State University at the conclusion of Commencement.

College of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Nursing, University College

• Staff Volunteers: Shuttles will depart Red Hawk Deck at 9:30 a.m. Shuttles will return to Montclair State University at the conclusion of Commencement.
• Faculty and Staff Participating in the Processional: Shuttles will depart Red Hawk Deck at 12:00 p.m. Shuttles will return to Montclair State University at the conclusion of Commencement.

College of Education and Human Services, College of Science and Mathematics

• Staff Volunteers: Shuttles will depart Red Hawk Deck at 3:00 p.m. Shuttles will return to Montclair State University at the conclusion of Commencement.
• Faculty and Staff Participating in the Processional: Shuttles will depart Red Hawk Deck at 5:00 p.m. Shuttles will return to Montclair State University at the conclusion of Commencement.

Parking Permits

Parking permits are valid for the Hyundai Deck (15 Lafayette Street). Parking is extremely limited and we anticipate heavier than normal traffic in Newark and around Prudential Center. It is strongly suggested that all faculty and staff register for the complimentary shuttle service to and from Prudential Center. Parking permits will be distributed to those have registered and requested parking. Please place the parking permit on your dashboard for collection by parking attendants.

Public Transportation

Prudential Center is just two blocks from Newark Penn Station and connected to Newark Broad Street Station by frequent, convenient bus & Light Rail service. For more detailed information, please visit Prudential Center

For more information to plan your trip, please visit the Prudential Center Public Transportation website.

Faculty and Staff Regalia

Faculty and staff participating in the processional must wear academic regalia. The deadline to order your rental regalia is Friday, March 31, 2023. Orders will not be accepted after March 31, 2023. All orders will be shipped directly to the University Bookstore and may be picked up at the Graduation Fair on Tuesday, May 9, 2023.

All regalia must be returned at the conclusion of your participation in Commencement. For your convenience, University Bookstore representatives will be at Commencement in the robing room to collect your regalia after Commencement.

Regalia Ordering has closed.

For any regalia related questions, please contact Diane Pellegrino at 973-655-7193 or 0356mgr@follet.com