Below are some tips that we think will aid students in their preparation for graduation:

• Verify your permanent grade/billing address. This is where your diploma will be mailed.
• Remember that temporary grades ( I ) an incomplete takes time to be changed to permanent grades. Take care of these well before graduation.
• If you are taking a correspondence course to fulfill your last requirements: Let the instructor know, that you plan to graduate at the end of the semester.
• Make sure all work is completed 4 weeks prior to Commencement Day.
• Your graduation will depend on the early arrival of your grade at the Registrar’s Office.
• Check your degree candidacy. Is it correct?
• Your academic department will determine whether you have met all major requirements (Undergraduate students only).
• A student’s name will not appear in the Commencement Program whose application for graduation does not reach the Office of the Registrar by the priority deadline.
• If you would like to request a duplicate diploma, there will be a fee of $75 made to Hampton University.

1. Do local HU Online students have to ride the bus?
   1. All participants in this ceremony are strongly encouraged to ride the bus.
2. Do students who live off campus need to ride the bus?
   1. All participants in this ceremony are strongly encouraged to ride the bus.
3. If you have not purchased cap and gown yet, how do we and when is the deadline to do so?
   1. I referred students to the Herff-Jones website and the bookstore.  Reminded them about the celebration with the company in March when they will be on site
4. Why cant we wear the kente stole that came with our cap and gown?
   1.  Anyone failing to meet these guidelines (carrying flowers or wearing sorority or fraternity Kente cloth stoles, attachments, corsages, ribbons, scarves, etc. with his or her academic attire) will be escorted from the procession. 
5.  Do babies need tickets?
   1. If a child needs a seat, they need a ticket
6. Can we not wear cords either?
   1. You may wear academic and honor cords
7.  Are additional ticket available for purchase?
   1. Extra graduation tickets are not sold, they are requested.  Please make your request to the Office of Ceremonials to sign the sign up sheet for extra tickets. Please understand this is just an awareness of need in case they are able to accommodate, not a guarantee.
8. Can we wear our country’s stole?
   1.  Anyone failing to meet these guidelines (carrying flowers or wearing sorority or fraternity Kente cloth stoles, attachments, corsages, ribbons, scarves, etc. with his or her academic attire) will be escorted from the procession. 
9. Can you speak on provisional walkers?
   1. This will be the last year of provisional graduates.  You may walk if you have only six hours remaining to complete by the end of the semester.
10.  Where do we get our honor cords?
    1. Cords are distributed at the same time as graduation tickets.
11.  I have a family member that’s handicap. Should I indicate that somewhere on their ticket or how does that work?
    1.  Guest who require special accommodations should arrive at the Coliseum early for seating.
12.  Do I have to have a hood?
    1.  Hoods and tassels are part of the commencement attire and are required to process
13. Is the Coliseum going to charge for parking?
    1. No     
14. Are families to ride the buses also?
    Only graduates, faculty and authorized staff will be required to use the bus service.
15. Why cant we decorate caps?
    1. Dr. Williams: During the filming and streaming anyone not in proper attire will be skipped over and that may cause classmates to be skipped as well.
16.  Is there no lenience or variation in the colors we can wear?
    1. Students in academic regalia must wear auxiliary clothing that harmonizes with the black gown. Women: black dresses of appropriate length, Solid black shoes, skin tone or dark stockings, no pants or jeans; Men: white collared shirts with ties, black shoes, black dress slacks, and no jeans. Students that self-identify as Non-Binary: please aim for your polished, professional look that is true to who you are. Attire may include the following: black suits with shirt or blouse, long black trousers with shirt or blouse, black dress, skirt with shirt or blouse, and neckties. Anyone failing to meet these guidelines (carrying flowers or wearing sorority or fraternity Kente cloth stoles, attachments, corsages, ribbons, scarves, etc. with his or her academic attire) will be escorted from the procession. Academic regalia should be worn with limited jewelry. Large earrings, bangles, chains, pins and other pieces are inappropriate and will not be allowed.  No garment outside of dress code may be seen outside of your gown.
17. We need our physical IDs for Graduation?
    1. All candidates for graduation must have a VALIDATED physical ID to clear for participation.  
18. Will there be special transportation for students with wheelchairs?
    1.      Students in wheelchairs should notify the Office of Ceremonial Occasions asap.
19.  Do we have to take the bus back or can we leave with our families?
      A. Graduates are not required to ride the bus back to campus.