Rome

Students are responsible for understanding their obligations regarding their academic requirements and are strongly urged to meet with their academic dean to review their academic and financial files.

All eligible students are encouraged to participate in the ceremony. Those who will be unable to attend should notify their academic dean's office in writing. 

Please use this checklist with dates to complete the necessary steps to participate in the 2020 Rome Commencement Exercises.

• Update/Verify Contact Information
  During final semester of studies
  Contact - Academic dean's office

• Order your academic attire (cap and gown) using the cap and gown form with dean's office
  Deadline – Wednesday, March 18, 2020
  Contact - Academic dean's office

• Notify dean's office if you choose NOT to attend the Commencement Exercises
  Deadline - No later than Wednesday, March 18, 2020
  Contact - Academic dean's office
   
• ​Verify that all your academic requirements and financial obligations have been met
  Deadline - No later than Friday, May 15, 2020
  Contact - Academic dean's office and the business manager
   
• Apply for your diploma online through the University Information System
  Deadline – Thursday, May 21, 2020
  Contact - Academic dean's office
   
• Pick-up your academic attire (cap and gown) and tickets at the Rome Campus
  Wednesday, May 27, 2020: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
  Contact - Academic dean's office
   
• Provide the dean's office with the names of your guests for the Commencement Exercises
  Deadline - No later than Monday, June 1, 2020
  Contact - Academic dean's office
   
• Complete all academic degree requirements
  For dates, contact academic dean's office
   
• Pick-up diploma from your dean's office
  After Monday, July 20, 2020 - confirm your diploma will be available by contacting your dean’s office

Graduates and degree candidates who wish to participate in the Rome Commencement Exercises are required to wear the proper academic attire as they march with faculty members, officers of administration, and honored guests in the academic procession.

Proper academic attire consists of a black cap, red gown plus the appropriate hood that designates the degree being awarded.

Note
If for any reason you do not plan to order a cap and gown, please notify your academic dean's office in writing.

Ordering Caps and Gowns

Cap and gowns need to be ordered no later than Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Please contact your academic dean's office to file a cap and gown order form.

St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - MA in International Relations - Margherita Panzera - +39 (06) 393 842 67
St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - MA in Global Development and Social Justice - Joyce Lawlor - +1 (718) 990-6129

Distribution of Cap and Gowns

Cap and gowns will be distributed by the Rome campus academic dean's offices on the following date:

• Wednesday, May 27, 2020 from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

If you feel that there may be difficulty in pronouncing your name, please see your academic dean during attire distribution.

If you are unable to pick-up your academic attire at this time, you must contact the dean's office and make the necessary arrangements.

Online Application for Diploma

If you are a June 2020 conferral, applications for diplomas must be completed online via the University Information System no later than Thursday, May 21, 2020.

• Graduates must submit an online application for diploma in order to receive their diploma.
• Diplomas can be ordered online between March 9 and May 21.
• Please note: 
  • Students who will be conferred in September 2020 do not apply for a diploma at this time. You will receive information from the Registrar's Office to apply.

Instructions for the Online Application for Diploma:

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

Distribution of Diplomas

Diplomas will not be handed out during the ceremony. Actual diplomas will be distributed by the academic dean's office subsequent to the Commencement Exercises. Please contact your dean to determine whether or not you are eligible to receive your diploma and if your diploma is available. Graduates must fulfill all academic requirements and financial obligations in order to receive their diploma.

Diplomas are ordered throughout the year depending upon your date of conferral. If a student applied late for their diploma it will not be available to pick up at the beginning of diploma distribution in the dean’s office.  Be sure to call your dean’s office beforehand to confirm your diploma is available.  If you have any questions regarding the ordering process, please contact the Registrar's Office. 

Note:

• No diplomas are issued until a student completes all degree requirements.
• No diplomas will be issued to anyone who has an outstanding balance on his/her account.
• No transcripts will be issued until a student has cleared his/her account.

Graduates and faculty members will assemble in the line up area, in their caps and gowns, no later than 5:15 p.m. Once all the graduates have been assembled, the academic deans will line-up graduates in alphabetical order by college/school and program.

It is imperative that all students check in upon their arrival to ensure their name is read during the ceremony.

The procession will begin promptly at 5:45 p.m. We will assume if a graduate is not in the procession line up area by 5:15 p.m., they are absent and their names will not be read during the ceremony.

Since there will be no rehearsal for the procession, the deans will lead you in the procession and to your seats.

Note

• Follow line-up instructions.
• Wear your cap tassel on the right side.
• Once you have been directed to your row and seat, remain standing until after the Invocation.
• Stand when your school/college is announced.
• After your name is read and you walk across the stage, return to your seat and remain standing until the last graduate from your college returns to his/her seat.

Each Rome graduate will receive four (4) Commencement tickets. Due to the limited seating capacity, the number of tickets is strictly limited.

The names of all participants and guests must be provided to the appropriate academic dean's office in advance of the ceremony and no later than Monday, June 1, 2020. 

In addition, all participants and guests must present a Commencement ticket and show a valid form of identification. Graduates are expected to show their University identification card to gain access into the campus. 

Tickets must be picked up during cap and gown distribution on Wednesday, May 27. 

Doors will open at the St. John's University Rome campus at 5 p.m. for guests who are attending the ceremony. Once inside the campus, there will be ushers directing guests to the ceremony location. 

Note
If you or your guests require special assistance, please notify the academic dean's office or contact Nunzia Manuli in advance. 

In order to assure that the procession of graduates and the presidential stage party moves to and from the stage in an orderly fashion without any obstructions and in compliance with safety codes, no picture taking will be allowed near the stage and in the main aisle of the processional route.

A professional photographer will take pictures of each graduate as they cross the stage and greet University officials. Even if your family or friends cannot be with you on this special day, you can share the excitement and the memories of the Class of 2020 by getting an electronic copy of the photographs from your dean's office.

Photos will be available through the Rome campus academic offices the week after the ceremony.

What should I wear under my gown?
The temperature in Rome during June is hot; therefore you should wear light, comfortable attire. It is suggested that you wear comfortable footwear and clothing. In case of rain, graduates will be provided with a rain poncho if needed. Guests should be prepared for rain and bring appropriate attire.

How do I order my cap and gown?
You must order your cap and gown by visiting or contacting your academic dean's office no later than Wednesday, March 18, 2020. 

When can I pick up my cap and gown?
The academic dean's offices will distribute caps and gowns on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. If you are unable to pick up your academic attire during this time, you must make the proper arrangements with your dean.

Do I need tickets for my guests to attend the Commencement Exercises?
Yes. Each graduate will receive a maximum of four (4) Commencement tickets. These tickets will be made available at the time of cap and gown distribution on Wednesday, May 27, 2020.

Please note: The names of all participants and guests must be provided to the appropriate academic dean's offices in advance and no later than Monday, June 1, 2020. In addition, all guests must present a valid form of identification and hold a Commencement ticket for the ceremony.

What time should I arrive to the Rome campus on Commencement day?
The doors will open at 4:45 p.m. All graduates will need to assemble in the line up location, in their cap and gown, no later than 5:15 p.m. The procession will begin promptly at 5:45 p.m. and it is imperative that all graduates check in at 5:15 p.m. to ensure their name is read at the Commencement Exercises.

What time should my guests arrive?
Guests will be admitted to the ceremony area at 5 p.m., one hour before the ceremony.

What do I do at the ceremony?
Graduates will be briefed in the assembly area. Graduates will be lined up in alphabetical order according to their school/college. At the start of the procession, the academic deans will lead you into the ceremony and direct you into your row.

What about photos? Can our guests take pictures?
Guests can take pictures during the ceremony from their seats but they will not be permitted to take pictures near the stage or in the main aisle of the procession/recession route. There will be a professional photographer who will take a picture of each graduate while their name is read. Photos will be made available through the Rome campus academic offices one week after the ceremony.

When will I receive my diploma?
Actual diplomas will be distributed by the academic dean's offices. To find out if you are able to receive your diploma or if your diploma is available, please contact your dean's office. 

Can diplomas be mailed to me or picked up by an authorized person?
Yes. You must notify your academic dean in writing and include an updated mailing address. An authorized person may pick up your diploma after you have filed a Third Party Authorization Form with your dean.