Cap & Gowns
It is critical that you bring your cap, gown, hood, and tassel with you to the Commencement Ceremony. We will not have replacement cap and gowns available.
Tassels
Students receiving their bachelor degrees should wear tassels on the right side of their caps when processing to the seating area. Tassels should be moved to the left side when instructed by the President (see the Conferral of Degrees section). Masters and doctoral candidates should wear their tassels on the left as they have already received their bachelor degrees.
Dress
Please note that the ceremony will be held in OceanFirst Bank Center. Graduates are asked to dress appropriately taking into consideration that this is a dignified ceremony.
Arrival Time
Students and guests should arrive 45 minutes prior to the 1 p.m. ceremony (12:15 p.m.) and are welcome to stay after for pictures, etc. Students arriving late may not be accommodated in the line of march.
Assembly Area
Report to the student assembly area on campus, at the OceanFirst Bank Center in Boylan Gym. University personnel and signage will be available to assist you.
Line of March
You will receive an email from the Registrar’s office at least one day prior to your ceremony, which will confirm your ceremony date/time, diploma name, and school. You will be given a card with this information when you sign in at the Registrar’s table in Boylan Gym. If you don’t receive this email and your ceremony is less than 24 hours away, you may email registrar@monmouth.edu.
Processional
You will be instructed to line up in order according to the number on your line of march card which you will receive at check in. You will be assigned to either the right or left side of the processional. You may not change lines. Staff will be there to assist you. The student processional will begin at the time of the ceremony.
Conferral of Degrees
The Dean of each school will ask candidates to come forward and be recognized (e.g., doctorates, masters, bachelors). The President will then say, “…I confer upon you the degree you have earned, with all the rights and privileges pertaining thereto.” At that time:
- Bachelor recipients will move their tassels from the right side of their caps to the left side. Masters and doctoral graduates should already have their tassels on the left side.
- Candidates will come to the stage. (University personnel will let you know when it is your turn.) You will hand the announcer your line of march card. The announcer will read your name and you will then process across to receive your diploma case from the Dean of your school.
- Walk across the stage. Staff will direct you. Shake the hand of the President and pause for a photo.
- Students are reminded that they must return to the seating area after leaving the stage. Out of respect for all students being recognized, participants are required to remain until the faculty and platform party have recessed from the arena. Please note: you may not return to the same seat so please do not leave anything on your seat.
Guests
Guests are requested to take their seats at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony and remain seated until the conclusion of the ceremony. Each student will receive 10 guest tickets. Seating will be general admission. No one will be admitted to the seating area without a ticket. Requests for extra tickets should be requested through the link you received in the RSVP email. Guests who do not have tickets and are on campus may view the ceremony on the televisions in the Student Center.
Diplomas
Diplomas will be mailed home approximately 3 weeks after your actual graduation date (Jan. 14, 2025). Diploma cases will be distributed to you as you walk across the stage. Please note: All financial obligations to the University must be satisfied prior to diplomas being released. This includes all parking tickets and fines; library materials and late fees; equipment; and, of course, tuition and fee payments.
Professional Photography
GradImages, a professional photography service, will be at the Commencement ceremony to photograph graduates as they are recognized on stage. Your proofs will be sent via e-mail to your student account and mailed to your home address. If you have any questions regarding your proofs, please contact GradImages Customer Service Department at 800-261-2576 or email them at giservice@gradimages.net.
You may pre-register your e-mail address on the GradImages website at to ensure an accurate address is on file. By pre-registering, you will receive a coupon for 20% off your order of $50 or more.
Reminders
- State and local laws prohibit the public consumption of alcohol. Do not bring any alcoholic beverages with you for consumption on the Monmouth University campus.
- Please turn off all cell phones for the duration of the Ceremony. Air horns, noise-making devices and any objects that would detract from the formality of the day are prohibited.
- Balloons are not allowed in the OceanFirst Bank Center.