Commencement

Q: What is the status of the May Commencement ceremonies?

A: GSU is officially postponing the May Commencement ceremonies. We are committed to honoring and celebrating your accomplishments at a later date. The University made this difficult decision to protect your health and well-being and that of your family, friends, and the GSU community as a whole. As we monitor the continuing COVID-19 emergency, we will keep you informed.

Q: Has a new date been set for Commencement?

A: Currently, there is not a date for the rescheduled Commencement ceremonies. As we monitor the continuing COVID-19 emergency, we will keep you informed. 

Q: Are students considered graduates of GSU before Commencement is held? What is the difference between graduation and commencement?

A: Yes. Your status as a graduate of GSU will not be affected. If you complete the requirements for a degree for Spring 2020 or Summer 2020, your official transcript will reflect that you've earned a degree, and you will receive your diploma in the mail six to eight weeks after grades have been submitted at the end of the respective term. 

Each graduate will receive four general admission guest tickets. Tickets for the Commencement Ceremony will be available online. At this moment, the date for ticket redemption is TBD. When the ticket redemption period begins, you may redeem all or some of your allotted tickets.

A live webcast will be available through GSU's website on Commencement Day.

This is important information for you to ensure great Commencement experience. 

Graduates DO NOT need tickets to attend Commencement. 

All guests MUST have tickets to be seated (including children 2 years and older)  

A family friendly seating area will be available to guests with children to watch on a monitor. 

If you–or your guests–have a physical disability and are in need of special services, please register with Disability Services at 708.235.3968 or assd@govst.edu.   

Parking is very limited so carpooling is strongly encouraged.

Shuttle buses will be available to transport to/from remote parking lots.

DO NOT park in the LA Fitness parking lot. Your car may be ticketed and/or towed.

Late arriving students will not be permitted to participate in the processional or walk across the stage–DON'T BE THAT GRADUATE.

Inform guests of the college/program you are graduating from, in order to assist with seating (e.g., College of Health and Human Services).

Pre-arrange a meeting location to meet family and guests after the ceremony outside of the auditorium. 

Please leave all personal items, such as purses, with your guests or leave locked in your vehicle. GSU and the convention center are NOT responsible for lost or stolen items. 

Please visit the office in the West Lobby for lost items or for stroller check-in.

Only GSU approved honors cords and stoles may be worn with regalia.

Graduates should not leave the ceremony floor until the appropriate time.  Only Platform Guests, Faculty/Staff, and Marshals will recess out.  All graduates are to remain seated throughout the ceremony, unless directed otherwise by the commencement marshals or master of ceremonies.

Cellphones should be silenced during the entire ceremony.

NO BACKPACKS, CONCEALED WEAPONS, AND FIREARMS ARE ALLOWED IN THE CONVENTION CENTER OR HOTEL.

This information is provided so that you and your graduate have a great Commencement experience.

Ceremonial Etiquette:   

The University wants to ensure that commencement is a dignified academic ceremony enjoyed by both the graduates and guests. 

• Please refrain from yelling, shouting, or whistling until all graduates have been individually acknowledged on stage.   
• NO BULLHORNS ALLOWED.
• All guests must have tickets to be seated, including children 2 years and older.    
• Infants and toddlers may be seated in the lap. 
• Children may not sit with graduates.
• A family friendly seating area will be available to guests with children.
• If you or your guests require special services, please register with Disability Services at 708.235.3968 or assd@govst.edu.  
• Saving seats is not permitted.
• Seats are not guaranteed for late arrivals. 
• Remain seated for the entire commencement ceremony.  
• Balloons or large gifts are NOT allowed in the convention center. 
• Photography or videotaping are NOT allowed in the front, side, or middle aisles.
• A live webcast will be available through GSU's website on Commencement day.    
• Cell phones should be turned off and remain off during the ceremony.
• NO BACKPACKS, CONCEALED WEAPONS AND  FIREARMS ARE ALLOWED IN THE CONVENTION CENTER OR HOTEL.

COMMENCEMENT DAY SPECIALS

• Jostens provides the cap, gown, and/or hood for graduates. They also offer other wonderful graduation gifts that will help you celebrate the moments you'll treasure for a lifetime–such as rings, announcements, fine jewelry, Uplomas, and so much more! Visit their website for more information. 
• GSU Bookstore will be selling clothing apparel and gifts on commencement day by the South Entrance. In honor of graduation, new graduates and guests will receive a 10% discount. 
• LifeTouch Special Events will be on hand at the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony as well as Commencement Day.  Their event-certified professional photographers will capture memories that will last a lifetime.  You will be able to order your photographs online after commencement by visiting their website.
• The Commencement Group will have a variety of fresh cut floral bouquets, graduation teddy bears, t-shirts, and kukui nut leis available for guests to purchase between the West and South Entrances.  All floral bouquets will be offered in a variety of colors as half or full dozens; they will also be hand-wrapped on location with baby’s breath and greens, along with a choice of a custom school colored bow. Floral bouquets are to be given to graduates AFTER the ceremony is complete. Floral bouquets may also be purchased online.
• TGS Video will accept orders for the Commencement DVD at the West and South Entrances. You may place your order onlineas well.

Doctoral Hooding Ceremony and Reception

The doctoral hooding ceremony is a special recognition ceremony for candidates in the following disciplines: Doctor of Education, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy. A faculty member places the doctoral hood over the head of the graduate, signifying their success in completing the graduate program.  The ceremony is similar to a graduation in that faculty and students are dressed in academic attire.  The Hooding Ceremony is a separate event and does not replace the Commencement Ceremony at the Tinley Park Convention Center.

•  Date is TBD
• Center for Performing Arts
• Graduates may take portraits with friends and faculty through LifeTouch
• Reception immediately following the ceremony in the Hall of Governors
• NO TICKET REQUIRED

For the 2020 Commencement ceremony, eligible participants are:

• 2019 December graduates
• 2020 Spring candidates for graduation (who applied by Friday, February 7, 2020)
• 2020 Summer candidates for graduation (who applied by Friday, February 7, 2020)

Participation in Commencement is voluntary.

REGALIA INFORMATION:  CAP AND GOWN ONLINE ORDERING AND PICK-UP

The dates for online regalia ordering for cap, gown, and hood (if applicable) are TBD.

Place your order online. 

• Type in school name:  Governors State University
• Click Graduation Caps & Gown
• Click Student 2020
• Select gown package for the specific degree you'll be receiving.

The date, time, and location for students who ordered their regalia online is TBD.

 Note: Doctoral students will receive their regalia through their respective chair from the College of Education or College of Health and Human Services.

Salute to Grads: Commencement Preparation (Date and Time TBD)

Stop by Salute to Grads to take care of all of your graduation needs. Jostens will be on hand to measure you for your cap and gown. You may also order announcements, GSU class ring, diploma frames, and more. LifeTouch Event Photography will also be available to take professional graduation photos (with regalia) as well as business portraits.

You will also receive important information regarding the ceremony, and assistance will be available from the Commencement Office, Career Services, the Alumni Association, the Recreation and Fitness Center, Follett Bookstore, Student Life, and Veteran's Affairs.

For more information, check out our Salute to Grads checklist! 

Faculty Participation

Thank you for your commitment to assist us with this year’s Commencement – one of the most important and exciting events in the lives of our students! You will find this to be very rewarding, as families and friends are excited about their loved ones graduating. They will need all of our assistance. Anything we can do to make it a pleasant day for them will leave good impressions when they return home and share with others who may attend our university in the future.

Scheduled rehearsals for the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony and Commencement are mandatory for the Marshal Coordination Team, Grand Marshal, Marshals, Faculty Excellence Awardees, and Name Announcers, in order to ensure that all participants are knowledgeable in their roles and each aspect of Commencement runs smoothly.

The due date for the completion of the Faculty Participation Survey is TBD. You may access the survey online.

Rental and Purchase Information

If you would like to rent faculty regalia, please visit Jostens’ website. The dates for online ordering are TBD. Rental of regalia with Jostens is at the employee’s expense. Please make payments directly with Jostens.

If you’d like to purchase a Fine Quality Academic Regalia package, visit Jostens' website and select the “Fine Quality Regalia” link. Any custom order with Jostens is at the employee’s expense. Please make payments directly with Jostens.

Rental and Purchased Regalia will be delivered to your respective offices or college suite upon their arrival to the university and after they've been processed.

Group orders will not be accepted. Only one complete package may be purchased per order.

If you have questions or wish additional information, please contact
Karen Caesar at 708.534-6360 or kcaesar-smith@govst.edu

Staff and Volunteers Are Needed to Assist at Commencement! 

WE NEED YOU!!!

GSU staff and faculty are invited and encouraged to participate in our 2020 commencement ceremony.

Thank you for your commitment to assist us with this year’s Commencement – one of the most important and exciting events in the lives of our students! You will find this to be very rewarding, as families and friends are excited about their loved ones graduating. They will need all of our assistance. Anything we can do to make it a pleasant day for them will leave good impressions when they return home and share with others who may attend our university in the future.

All commencement Staff and Volunteers must attend a mandatory orientation–date, time, and location will be announced at a later date.

If you have questions or wish additional information, please contact Karen Caesar at kcaesar-smith@govst.edu

The date for Grad Celebration is TBD.

Get Directions to the Tinley Park Convention Center from your location.   

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

• What is the difference between graduation and commencement?
  Graduation is a process where you complete an application in order to earn your degree. A $125 non-refundable processing fee will be placed on your account. A graduation application is required for each degree you earn at GSU. Commencement is a formal ceremony and participation is voluntary. Participating in the ceremony does not mean your degree has been earned.  

• I walked across the stage, doesn't this mean I earned my degree?
  No. Only December graduates from the previous year will have earned degrees by commencement. Since spring and summer graduation applicants are eligible to participate in the ceremony, their degrees will not be posted until after ceremony has taken place. 
    
• Can I use my financial aid to cover the $125 fee?
  Please consult with the financial aid office to see if you can.  
    
• What does the graduation fee cover?
  The graduation fee covers the time and paperwork it takes to post your degree. The graduation fee also covers any items related to the commencement ceremony (e.g., student regalia, diploma covers, etc.).
    
• When will my diploma be mailed?
  Diplomas are usually mailed out six to eight weeks after final grades have been submitted.  
    
• I missed the deadline to turn in a graduation application, who do I contact?
  If this happens, please consult with your academic advisor.  
  
  
• When does Commencement begin?
  The date and time of Commencement will be announced at a later date.
    
• How will I know which ceremony I will attend?
  Participants are grouped by Colleges.  KNOW YOUR COLLEGE. Governors State University's colleges are the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), College of Business (CB), College of Education (CE) and College of Health and Human Services (CHHS).
    
• How many tickets will I receive?
  Graduates will receive four general admission guest tickets per ceremony for family and guests. The date to begin purchasing tickets is TBD.
    
• Does my child need a ticket?
  Children who are two or older will require tickets.
    
• How long is the ceremony?
  The Commencement ceremony lasts approximately two and a half hours.
    
• Where do I pick-up my regalia?

The date for regalia pick-up will be announced at a later time.

• If you are a doctoral student, you will receive your cap and gown through your respective chair from the College of Education and/or College of Health and Human Services.  
• REGALIA WILL NOT BE DISTRIBUTED ON COMMENCEMENT DAY
• How early should I arrive at commencement?
  Participants should arrive 90 minutes before the ceremony. Guests should arrive an hour before the ceremony. 

•  Where can I find more details about the Commencement Speaker and Singer application process?
  Visit Jaguar Connection for more information.