Commencement & Convocations 2022

MetLife Stadium Information for Students

Location

MetLife Stadium: 1 MetLife Stadium Drive, East Rutherford, NJ 07073

For detailed directions please visit MetLife Stadium Directions for more information.

Please note: NJ Transit, Park and Ride and Metro North will not be in service for this event at MetLife Stadium. NJ transit will not operate rail service direct to this event. The closest rail stop is Secaucus Junction where you can take a taxi to MetLife Stadium. NJ Transit Bus 160 and Bus 703 provide service to the Sports Complex on select routes and alternate schedules that are subject to change.

Arrival and Parking

Students need to report to the stadium no later than 1:30 p.m.

Students may park for free in Lot F or G and enter the stadium through the Pepsi Gate. Please view or print the map located here.

Upon entry, students will be directed to the line-up area. Guests, including children, will not be allowed in the line-up area.

Accessible Parking

Accessible parking is available in Lots F and G

Security Screening Procedures

All attendees 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 cell phones, keys and all metal objects on the security table prior to walking through the metal detector. Students should not bring any additional personal items because they are walking in the student processional.

The following items are prohibited at MetLife Stadium for this event:

• Alcoholic beverages of any kind
• Balloons
• Laser pointers, flashlights or fireworks, or balls of any kind
• Selfie Sticks
• Signs and banners

Seating

Students will be seated on the field with their college or school

Important Reminders for Students:

• Don’t forget your regalia!
• Wear flat and comfortable shoes
• Check the weather and dress appropriately
• Travel advisory- Anticipate traffic in and around the stadium, so plan accordingly for arrival at the stadium no later than 1:30 p.m.
• Please do not bring personal items with you. Graduates are walking in the graduate processional and can not have backpacks and large personal items.
• Prior to the ceremony, plan where you and your guests will meet after the event. The ceremony will last approximately 2 hours.
• Report problems immediately. Please contact a uniformed Stadium team member, or use the Guest Text Messaging system if you need assistance. Type 78247, type MLS, followed by a space and your request and location. Guest Service Hotline is 201-559-1515

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, parents, spouses and other family members. Excitement, joy and enthusiasm are expected and welcomed!

However, we ask that all of our graduates conduct themselves in an appropriate manner that demonstrates respect toward their fellow graduates, other guests, and the speakers on stage:

• Please arrive on time and remain in your seat for the entire ceremony. Movement on the field where are students are seated is distracting to the guests in the stands, and is disrespectful to the speakers.
• Silence all electronic devices and do not bring in prohibited items (I.e. air horns, noisemakers, balloons, beach balls)

Students with Disabilities

Any student who needs accessible accommodations for the event may contact Nicole Fleming at flemingn@montclair.edu

Any guests with accessible accommodation needs, may visit the MetLife Guest Information page for more detailed information.

MetLife Information for Guests

Location

MetLife Stadium: 1 MetLife Stadium Drive, East Rutherford, NJ 07073

For detailed directions please visit MetLife Stadium Directions for more information.

Please note: NJ Transit, Park and Ride and Metro North will not be in service for this event at MetLife Stadium. NJ transit will not operate rail service direct to this event. The closest rail stop is Secaucus Junction where you can take a taxi to MetLife Stadium. NJ Transit Bus 160 and Bus 703 provide service to the Sports Complex on select routes and alternate schedules that are subject to change.

Arrival and Parking

Guests may park for free in Lot F or G and enter the stadium through the MetLife Gate. Please view or print the map located here. The MetLife Gate to the stadium will open at 1:30 p.m.

Plan to arrive at the stadium at least one hour before the start of the event. This will help your entry into the stadium and being seated prior to the start of the ceremony.

Accessible Parking

Accessible parking is available in Lots F and G

Tickets

Tickets are not required to attend Commencement. Guest seating in the stadium is on a first-come, first served basis.

Security Screening Procedures

All attendees 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 cell phones, keys and all metal objects on the security table prior to walking through the metal detector.

The following approved items may be brought into MetLife Stadium for this event:

• All bags that are 12” x 12” x 12” or smaller in size. Limit one bag per person.
• Strollers
• Video cameras and still-photography cameras (not contained in a case) with a lens that is 6” or less
• Tablets (ipad) not contained in a case and small portable phone chargers (no larger than an iphone)
• Binoculars ( not contained in a case)
• Umbrellas, rain ponchos, jackets, or blankets after being patted down and searched
• Food contained in a clear plastic bag
• Factory-sealed plastic bottles of water or soft drinks that are 20 oz or less in size

The following items are prohibited at MetLife Stadium for this event:

• Alcoholic beverages of any kind
• Balloons
• Laser pointers, flashlights or fireworks, or balls of any kind
• Selfie Sticks
• Cameras with a lens longer than 6”
• Signs and banners

Guests with Disabilities

MetLife Guest Services Booths are located at the MetLife Gate when entering the stadium. The team members at the Guest Services Booths can assist with seating guests with disabilities and any other special requests. Guests with any questions prior to the event may contact 201-559-1515 or info@metllifestadium.com

Important reminders for guests!

• Check the weather and dress appropriately. Please be aware of the type of shoes that you wear as some do not offer as much protection or comfort when moving in a crowd.
• Travel advisory- Anticipate traffic in and around the stadium, so plan accordingly for arrival at the stadium. Plan to arrive at the stadium at least one hour before the start of the event. This will help you entry into the stadium and being seated.
• Prior to the ceremony, plan where you and your graduate will meet after the event. The ceremony will last approximately 2 hours.
• Report problems immediately. Please contact a uniformed Stadium team member, or use the Guest Text Messaging system if you need assistance. Type 78247, type MLS, followed by a space and your request and location. Guest Service Hotline is 201-559-1515

Concessions

Food and beverages will be available at concession stands in the stadium. Please note that MetLife Stadium is cash-free. Cash will not be accepted at concession stands. Guests must pay for concessions with a debit card, credit card Apple Pay or Google Pay. A reverse ATM is located outside section 143 for guests to convert cash to a prepaid debit card valid for in-stadium purchases and anywhere a credit card or debit card is accepted.

Graduate Gifts

Flowers, Graduate t-shirts and other gift items will be available for purchase on the 100 level concourse directly next to the main entrance to the seating bowl.

Ceremony Registration and Guest Tickets

Registration

If you plan to attend Commencement and/or College/School Convocations, you must register in advance. Registration will be open for all ceremonies by Monday, February 28,2022. You will receive an email from “commencement@montclair.edu “ with information on how to register at MarchingOrder. Registration will close on Saturday, April 16, 2022, 11:55 p.m.

The registration system will allow students to register for Commencement and/or Convocation at one time. Please review all questions carefully when registering.

Convocations are assigned by college or school, degree, major, and/or concentration.

What is the difference between Commencement and College/School Convocations?

Commencement will celebrate the entire graduating Class of 2022 and all degrees will be officially conferred by the President of the University. Registration is required for Commencement. Guest tickets are not required for this ceremony. Student names will not be read and students will not walk across the stage during the ceremony.

College and School Convocations will be held on campus and celebrate the distinctive traditions and spirit of each college or school. The College or School Dean will preside and individual names will be read as students walk across the stage. Registration and guest tickets are required for Convocations.

Guest Tickets

• Commencement: Guest tickets are not required for the Commencement ceremony at MetLife Stadium. Seating is general admission and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Convocations: Guest tickets are required for all Convocations on Sprague Field.
  Graduates can request guest tickets when registering to attend Convocation.
  • Guest tickets will be distributed by the Colleges and Schools in May 2022.
  • All guests must have tickets to enter Sprague Field, including children.
  • Guests without an authorized ticket will not be permitted to enter. There will be no exceptions.
  • Each ticket is only valid for the Convocation ceremony listed on the ticket.

To Register for Commencement or Convocation:

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.

Regalia is required to participate in Commencement or Convocation. Regalia must be purchased in advance of the ceremonies. Regalia will not be available for purchase at Commencement or Convocations.

All orders will be shipped directly to the student’s home.

Please note ordering deadlines below.

• Candidates for Bachelor’s Degrees: Bachelor’s regalia is black in color and includes cap, gown and tassel. The deadline to order regalia is Monday, April 25, 2022
• Candidates for Master’s Degrees: Master’s regalia is red in color and includes cap, gown, hood and tassel. The deadline to order is Monday, April 25, 2022
• Candidates for Doctoral Degrees: 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 degree candidates have three options for ordering regalia:
  1. Purchase a Fine Quality Custom Package: Includes gown, fine quality hood and custom tam. The gown and tam are custom made to graduate’s exact measurements. The deadline to order is Monday, April 4, 2022. Please allow 6 weeks for delivery.
  2. Purchase Souvenir Package 1: Includes souvenir gown, fine quality hood and custom tam. The tam is custom made to graduate’s exact measurements. The deadline to order is Monday, April 4, 2022
  3. Purchase Souvenir Package 2: Include a souvenir gown, souvenir hood and souvenir tam. The deadline to order is Monday, April 25, 2022

To view the difference between the fine quality regalia and custom tam and the souvenir regalia and souvenir tam , please visit the University Bookstore.

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

Order Your Regalia

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 contact the Office of the Registrar at 973-655-4376 or visit Apply for Graduation. For the hours of the Registrar, please see Red Hawk Central hours.

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 973-655-4288.
• Room and Board: Please contact Residence Life at 973-655-5188.

For all other financial obligations contact Student Accounts at 973-655-4105.

If you received federal loans, you will need to make arrangements for repayment. Please visit the Financial Aid Exit Counseling 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 a Commencement or Convocation ceremony.

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 or College and School Convocations.

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 2022 candidates at the Commencement exercises, the honors designation will be based upon the student’s cumulative grade point average as of the Winter 2022 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 2022 semester, when the degree is conferred.

Honors Tassel
Gold honors tassels may be picked up at Red Hawk Central atrium beginning on May 2, 2022.

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 2021, December 2021, or January 2022 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.

All ceremonies will be live streamed. Ceremony live stream links will be posted here in May. Be sure to share the links with friends and family.

• Friday, May 20 | 3 p.m. – Commencement Ceremony
• Wednesday, June 1 | 1 p.m. – Feliciano School of Business
• Wednesday, June 1 | 7 p.m. – Feliciano School of Business
• Thursday, June 2 | 1 p.m. – College of Education and Human Services
• Thursday, June 2 | 7 p.m. – College of Education and Human Services
• Friday, June 3 | 1 p.m. – College of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Friday, June 3 | 7 p.m. – College of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Saturday, June 4 | 1 p.m. – College of Science and Mathematics
• Saturday, June 4 | 7 p.m. – College of the Arts
• Sunday, June 5 | 1 p.m. – School of Nursing

Commencement Faculty and Staff Information

Location

MetLife Stadium: 1 MetLife Stadium Drive, East Rutherford, NJ 07073

For detailed directions please visit MetLife Stadium Directions for more information.

Please note: NJ Transit, Park and Ride and Metro North will not be in service for this event at MetLife Stadium. NJ transit will not operate rail service direct to this event. The closest rail stop is Secaucus Junction where you can take a taxi to MetLife Stadium. NJ Transit Bus 160 and Bus 703 provide service to the Sports Complex on select routes and alternate schedules that are subject to change.

Registration

Advanced registration is required for all Commencement staff volunteers and the faculty and staff participating in the processional. Registration is now closed.

Parking Permits

Faculty and staff may park in Lot A and enter the stadium through the Bud Light Gate. Parking permits will be distributed to those who have registered and requested parking. Please view or print the map located here.

Shuttle Service

For your convenience, we will provide round trip shuttle service to and from MetLife Stadium. Please indicate your transportation needs when registering to attend. Shuttles will drop and pick up attendees at the Bud Light Gate.

Shuttle Departure Times:

• Staff Volunteers: Shuttle will depart Red Hawk Deck at 10:30 a.m. Shuttle will return to Montclair State University at the conclusion of Commencement.
• Faculty and Staff Participating in the Processional: Shuttle will depart Red Hawk Deck at 12:30 p.m. Shuttle will return to Montclair State University at the conclusion of Commencement.

Venue Arrival

Please view or print the map located here.

Staff Volunteers:

• Please report to MetLife Stadium at 11:30 a.m.
• All staff volunteers will enter the stadium at the Bud Light Gate and proceed to their designated reporting location.

Faculty and Staff Participating in the Processional:

• Please report to MetLife Stadium at 1:30 p.m.
• Faculty and Staff will enter the stadium at the Bud Light Gate and proceed to the Coaches Club for robing.

Security Screening Procedures

All attendees 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 cell phones, keys and all metal objects on the security table prior to walking through the metal detector. Handbags and backpacks are permitted but are subject to a bag check.

Regalia

Faculty and staff participating in the processional must wear academic regalia. The deadline to order your regalia is Thursday, April 7, 2022. Orders will not be accepted after April 7, 2022. All orders will be shipped directly to the University Bookstore.
Regalia may be picked up at the University Bookstore during the following dates and times:

• May 9 – May 12, 2022: -9:00 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• May 13, 2022: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• May 16 – May 18, 2022: 9:00 – 4:30 p.m.

All regalia must be returned at the conclusion of your participation in Commencement and/or Convocations. University Bookstore representatives will be at Commencement in the robing room. If you only attending a College/School Convocation, please return your regalia to the University Bookstore during business hours.

Order Your Regalia

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

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 State that are most important to them. We invite the Class of 2022 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.

• For a gift of $10, you will receive a Montclair State Proud Supporter button to wear at Commencement exercises and to show Red Hawk pride long after you graduate.
• 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 and the proud supporter button.
• For a gift of $50, celebrate this milestone with your family, friends and colleagues by having your message displayed on the screen at the Commencement ceremony on May 20, 2022, at MetLife Stadium. You will also receive the proud supporter button and alumni medallion.

Every student at Montclair State has benefitted 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 Ashante Patterson, Associate Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement, at 973-655-7872 or pattersona@montclair.edu.

Class of 2022 Class Gift