Queens Graduate

Between February 14 - March 9

• Visit your dean’s office to confirm your eligibility to participate in Commencement 2020
• Download the Queens Graduate Level Commencement Exercises 2020 Student Information Book and read through this Website
• Visit the University Information System (UIS) to:
  ~ Review your transcript for accuracy of grade changes, transfer credits, etc.
  ~ Check your account for holds (parking tickets, library fines, etc) and clear all   holds with the Bursar’s Office
  ~ Update your home address and contact information 
• Like us on Facebook @StJohnsNow to receive important graduation information
• Follow us on Twitter @StJohnsU to receive important graduation notices

March 9

• Online registration and academic attire purchasing opens for Commencement 
  ~ Go to University Information System (UIS) to register for Commencement and for instructions on how to purchase your academic attire

• Online application for diploma ordering opens
  ~ Go to the University Information System (UIS) to order your diploma 

April 3

• Last day to pre-purchase academic attire for Commencement 2020

April 14

• Last day to order graduation announcements if you want them in time for Commencement. Click here to order. (Note: Announcements can be ordered up to July 2, 2020) 

April 27

• Last day to register online for Commencement 2020
  ~ Go to the University Information System (UIS) to register for Commencement Exercises

May

• Pick-up Baccalaureate Mass tickets from the Campus Ministry Office or at Academic Attire Distribution

May 4, 5, and 6   

• Pick-up / purchase academic attire on your scheduled Academic Attire Distribution day. ALL students must pick-up / purchase their attire during Academic Attire Distribution.
• Pre-order Commencement Exercises portraits and diploma photos from Grad Images® Click here. 

May 8

• Last day to complete the online application for diploma
  ~ Go to the University Information System (UIS) to order your diploma

May 15 - May 20

• Queens Graduate Level Commencement Exercises

May 21

• Remember to register on the St. John’s online alumni community at www.stjohns.edu/alumni-and-friends/connect-online

Graduates must register and purchase academic attire in order to attend and participate in the Graduate Level Commencement Exercises. Students who have been deemed eligible to participate by their respective dean's office may register to attend the Commencement Exercises. To confirm your eligibility status, contact your dean's office immediately.

• Online registration and academic attire ordering starts on Monday, March 9, and ends on Monday, April 27.
• You may log back in to the form until Monday, April 27 to revise your registration. Please reprint the new confirmation e-mail.
• If you believe you are eligible but cannot register via UIS, please see your dean's office immediately.

If you require special assistance of any kind on graduation day, please notify your dean's office immediately.  

Instructions for Commencement Registration and Attire Purchase:

1. Log onto University Information System (UIS).
2. Click on the Student tab.
3. Click on the Graduation tab.
4. Click on Commencement Registration Menu.
5. Your name and degree information will pre-populate if you are eligible to register. If you receive a message that says you are not eligible, you must see your dean to confirm eligibility.
6. Fill out the form in its entirety with all of the necessary information regarding your attendance.
7. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with information on how to purchase your academic attire.
8. To complete your Commencement registration, you must complete the “What’s Next” survey.  
9. Print the confirmation e-mail for your records and bring a copy with you to Academic Attire Distribution.

Purchase of Academic Attire

All graduates must register through the University Information System (UIS) and purchase academic attire. Wearing academic attire (cap, gown, and hood) is both a tradition and a requirement to participate in the Commencement Exercises. The graduate's academic attire will serve to admit the graduate to the assembly location.

If you pre-purchase attire online, please print and bring the Herff Jones confirmation e-mail with you to Academic Attire Distribution.

If you have questions or concerns about regalia affordability, or if the cost of the regalia may prevent you from participating in the Commencement ceremony, please contact the Office of University Events at [email protected]. All inquiries will be kept confidential.

For apparel under your attire, dress with an eye to comfort. It is strongly recommended that you not bring personal belongings to the ceremony.

Instructions to Purchase Attire Online (Deadline Friday, April 3, 2020):

1. Log onto Herff Jones website.
2. Click on the Purchase a Cap and Gown.
3. Select your school / college (graduate).
4. Choose your degree type (i.e. Master, Doctorate); then click Continue.
5. Click on Cap & Gown link on the top of the page.
6. Click on Graduation Regalia.
7. Complete the Package Details section, with your name, area of study, height and weight; then click Add to Cart.
8. Add additional items to your cart (optional).  
9. Proceed to checkout and complete your credit card billing information and your X number, then click Continue.
10. Print the confirmation page and bring with you to Academic Attire Distribution on Wednesday, May 6 to pick-up your attire.   

Distribution of Academic Attire

St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Monday, May 4, 2020
12 p.m. - 8 p.m. ~ Marillac Terrace (Cafeteria)
Distribution will be closed between 6 - 6:30 p.m.

The Peter J. Tobin College of Business and
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences  
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
12 p.m. - 8 p.m. ~ Marillac Terrace (Cafeteria)
Distribution will be closed between 6 - 6:30 p.m.

The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies and 
The School of Education
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
12 p.m. - 8 p.m. ~ Marillac Terrace (Cafeteria)
Distribution will be closed between 6 - 6:30 p.m.

Notes:

• All students must pick-up / purchase their attire during their scheduled distribution day listed above. Attire WILL NOT be distributed between Thursday, May 7 and your Commencement ceremony day.
• Graduates must bring their StormCard in order to check in and pick-up attire.
• If you did not pre-purchase attire, you will need to bring cash or a money order made payable to Herff Jones to purchase attire.
• Graduates will check in with their dean's office and readers in order to confirm their participation and the pronunciation of their names.
• Before leaving attire distribution, graduates are strongly advised to try on their cap, gown and hood. Reference this chart to ensure you have the correct hood.
• A Grad Images® photographer will be present at Academic Attire Distribution to take a formal photograph in your attire, please come prepared!

Diplomas

• Graduates must submit an online diploma application in order to receive their diploma.
• The last day to order a diploma is Friday, May 8.

Instructions for the Online Application for Diploma:

1. Log onto University Information System (UIS).
2. Click on the Student Tab.
3. Click on the Graduation tab.
4. Click on the Application for Diploma menu.

If you are unable to make it to Academic Attire Distribution, you may designate a third party to pick-up / purchase your attire. An online form will be made available on the Commencement website on Monday, March 9, 2020.

For more information regarding honor cords and how to receive them, please contact your honor society's administrator or dean’s office.

Do you have family or guests coming from outside the United States that need travel documentation? If yes, please visit the Registrar’s Office to complete a request form.

Open to All Graduating Students

Saturday, May 16, 2020
4 p.m. (Doors open at 3 p.m.)
St. Thomas More Church

The Baccalaureate Mass is an opportunity for the University Community to gather with you and your families to give thanks for all of the gifts and blessings you have received from God. It is also our chance to pray for you and to as God's blessing upon you as you move into the next phase of your life.

Mass Tickets and Seating

• Mass tickets can be picked up beginning in May in the Office of Campus Ministry, Marillac Hall, Room 239 during regular business hours OR during Academic Attire Distribution.   
• Admission is by ticket only. 
• Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis and will be based on the order of arrival.
• Seats may not be saved.
• Graduates are asked to wear their academic attire to Mass. The hood may be worn but we ask that graduates not wear their cap to Mass.
• Graduates should sit with their families during Mass.

For more information regarding Mass tickets, please contact the Office of Campus Ministry at 718-990-6255.

Participate in Mass
If you would like to participate in the Mass in a ministerial role, such as a lector, extraordinary minister of communion, candle bearer or gift bearer, or if a graduate or member of a graduate’s family is a Catholic Priest and would like to concelebrate the Mass, please contact Dennis Gallagher at 718-990-2125 or [email protected].

Graduate Responsibilities on Commencement Day

• Arrive at your assembly location no later than 4:30 p.m. for all schools except The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies and St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies graduates should arrive in the assembly location no later than 4 p.m.
  • St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences should arrive in the assembly location no later than 9:30 a.m.
• All Master degree candidates as well as Doctoral degree candidates from The School of Education should wear your academic attire (gown, hood, and cap) to the Commencement Exercises. Your tassel should be on the right side.
• All other doctoral degree candidates should wear your academic attire (gown and cap) to the ceremony and carry the hood over your right arm. You will be hooded during the ceremony.
• Wear comfortable footwear and clothing.
• It is strongly recommended not to bring personal belongings.
• Graduates will be provided water
• Follow the line-up, processional and recessional instructions of your academic deans, marshals and event staff.
• Once directed to your row in the graduate seating area, remain standing until the end of the Invocation.
• Follow the instructions for the calling of your name as you are asked to walk across the stage.

If you need assistance during Commencement, please locate your dean, event staff or a Public Safety Officer.

Assembly and Line-Up Locations

• There is no rehearsal for the Commencement Exercises.
• The academic deans will be in the assembly area to line-up graduates in strict alphabetical order for the calling of names.

All graduates should assemble as follows: 

The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies ~ Friday, May 15, 2020; 4 p.m. in the Auxiliary Gym, Carnesecca Arena

College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences ~ Monday, May 18, 2020; 4:30 p.m. in Taffner Field House

St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences ~ Tuesday, May 19, 2020; 9:30 a.m. in Taffner Field House

The School of Education ~ Tuesday, May 19, 2020; 4:30 p.m. in Taffner Field House

The Peter J. Tobin College of Business ~ Wednesday, May 20, 2020; 4:30 p.m. in Taffner Field House

**Graduates must check in with their deans during this time in order to participate in the ceremony.**

Duration of Ceremony

• Great care has been taken to ensure the ceremonies are completed as quickly and as smoothly as possible. The ceremonies are expected to last between 1 and 2 hours, depending upon the school or college. 

Calling of Names and Hooding of Doctoral Students and Pharm.D. Students

• Graduates' names will be called at the Commencement Exercises. As the graduate's name is announced, the graduate will walk across the stage to greet their dean.
• Doctoral level candidates from St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Pharm.D. candidates from the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, will be hooded during their school or college Commencement Exercises. 
• Graduates will be seated for the remainder of the ceremony and will recess out together with their fellow classmates.

• Guests are permitted to park on campus.  Please enter through Gate 3 on Utopia Parkway or Gate 4 on Union Turnpike.
• Additional parking is available in the campus garages.  Entrance is off of Union Turnpike.
• Please allow ample time to find parking.
• If parking on our neighborhood streets, please be sure to follow local NYC parking regulations where applicable.

The Office of Public Safety will collect and hold any items that are lost or found, during the ceremonies. If you need to report or find a lost item, please see a Public Safety Officer.