X
Home Commencement Office Graduates Commencement Conduct Guidelines

Commencement Conduct Guidelines

Graduates and Guests: by attending Commencement at the University of Memphis, you agree to all of this and all related policy.

Commencement Conduct Guidelines 

 Commencement is a time to celebrate and enjoy your accomplishments. However, it is also, ceremonial. It is an academic celebration of your accomplishments. It is not a sports game, concert, or the like. You are asked to honor the spirit of this important occasion by conducting yourself in a manner that respects your guests, the guests of others, your fellow graduates, and you. It is your responsibility to speak to your guests to comply with the following guidelines. 

By participating and attending The University of Memphis Commencement ceremony, you agree to observe the following guidelines. 

You are required to read, understand, and share with guests attending. It is your responsibility to ensure you and your guests comply. Anyone in violation will be escorted out by Law Enforcement, and the participating student/graduate’s diploma and transcript (grades/diploma) will be withheld with possible further disciplinary actions. You are responsible for the actions of yourself and those of your guests.  Graduates and Guests will go through Security Measures at the venue. No unauthorized items, weapons, etc. are permitted at any time. Guests are seated and lined up separately from graduates. Your attendance in the ceremony and that of your guests is the agreement to these terms and conditions.

 

  • Special Note for August 2024 Participants: Tickets are required at this event. No ticket, no entry. 
  • No saving or reserving seats by guests or graduates. 
  • Ushers and Staff will be present to assist guests and graduates upon arrival. 
  • No guests are allowed in the area indicated for graduates only. 
  • No guests are permitted on the graduate floor/section at any given time. 
  • Do NOT get out of order. Stay in numerical order as indicated on your Pronouncer Card. In the past, we have had participants get out of order and it completely caused several repercussions including names displayed incorrectly, video and photo confusion, delays, and more. 
  • If you get out of order for any reason, you will be escorted out of the facility, your participation in Commencement will be canceled, your diploma and transcript (grades/diploma) will be withheld, and possible further disciplinary actions. 
  • You must return to your seat after going across the stage. Return to your original assigned seat. Do NOT change seats for any reason. If you do, you will be escorted out of the venue and not allowed to re-enter. 
  • If you or your guests cause any disruption of any kind, leave early, change seats, or get out of order you will be escorted off the premises by Memphis Police and Security. You will not be allowed to re-enter the building. 
  • No waving or tossing up any items on the floor, lineup, or stage. If you are found in violation, you will be escorted out by Law Enforcement. 
  • No banners, flags, or any other items should be brought with you or hidden! If you are found in violation, you will be escorted out by Law Enforcement. 
  • No jumping, leaping, dancing, or the like are permitted. If you are found in violation, you will be escorted out by Law Enforcement. 
  • These events are free and public large-scale events; therefore, while we work hard to ensure these events are great for everyone there are matters beyond our control. There will be traffic and parking lines. There will be many guests. There may be delays. We recommend working out plans with yourself and guests prior to attending. Remember: An idea you have may be shared by someone else. Someone will be first and someone will be last, and someone will be waiting. This should be expected. Prepare for possible and longer waiting time. Patience and understanding are a must! 
  • If you have guests who are unable to stand in long lines, etc., we do record and live stream our ceremonies. Live Stream Option. 
  • Speak to guests about appropriate cheering. Over cheering and screaming is not permitted. 
  • Noise makers including Air Horns, Bull Horns, Using Cell Phones to create these noises, and Cow Bells, are strictly prohibited and NOT permitted. They will be confiscated and not returned. Graduates and Guests who refuse to comply will be removed. 
  • Excessive Yelling, Prolonged Screaming is unnecessary, unfair, and disruptive to your peers. Guests in violation will be escorted out.  
  • You want your name to be heard by your family and friends, and so do your peers. 
  • Speak to guests about cheering too loudly. Ask guests to be respectful of other graduates’ names after your name is called. 
  • ALL families/friends want to hear their graduate’s name called. Clapping and respectful cheering is allowed. 
  • Speak to guests to refrain from yelling, screaming, and lengthy cheering. Excessive yelling and screaming are disrespectful to your fellow graduates. 
  • Hearing a graduate’s name is the moment everyone is waiting for. Think about how special this moment is for you. Your peer feels the same. 
  • Be respectful of other graduates and the audience by staying in your seat before and after you receive your diploma and until those on the Commencement platform exit during the recessional. 
  • Inappropriate behavior for this occasion includes taking selfies while on the Commencement platform, pranks, stepping or dancing, and/or vocal or visual disruptions. 
  • Use of any noise maker, including whistles and air horns, is strictly prohibited. 
  • Cell phones are permitted, but out of courtesy for other participants, students should silence their phone, not use them during the formal speaking portions of the ceremony and should not use them while receiving their diploma on stage. 
  • The use and/or possession of outside beverage, food, alcohol, or drugs is strictly prohibited. 
  • All provisions of the University of Memphis Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities apply to Commencement ceremonies.  
  • The University expects to conduct a meaningful, dignified ceremony. Disorderly and/or disruptive conduct, including, but not limited to the examples provided above, may be grounds for immediate ejection, and may result in your diploma and/or transcript being retained by the University. 
  • Attendees must stay for the duration. 
  • We cannot and do not hold personal items. Bring only the items you need.  
  • Students are only allowed to participate once for the degree they are seeking. 
  • In the wake of COVID-19, any guidelines set by the facility or Health Officials must be followed by all graduating participants and that of their guests. 
  • If you have any questions about filling in this online form, please contact the Commencement Office by emailing us at commencement@memphis.edu  
  • Some Commencements may be limited guests seating. Compliance is necessary.  
  • For most recent information about ceremonies, visit www.memphis.edu/commencement. 

  

 Diplomas 

 Upon successful review, your degree will be certified, and your diploma processed. Diplomas are mailed 4 months after each commencement and not available earlier. You should ensure we have your correct address on your Graduation Application. We only use the Address on Step 3 of your Graduation Application to mail diplomas.  

 Updating Your Address  

You have one month after Commencement to update your address with our office. If you do not update your address within the timeframe indicated, you will be responsible for ordering a copy of your diploma on our website ($20.00). All diplomas are mailed standard USPS from the processor. 

What is listed on the diploma? What information will the diploma display?   

Diplomas: Will only reflect the degree, any undergraduate honors distinctions, and undergraduate departmental honors. Majors, Minors, Concentrations, etc. are available on your transcripts and will not be placed on the diploma. Graduate Students do not have honors distinction. 

  • Student’s name as listed on Step 3 and Step 4 of the application. 
  • College or School Name 
  • Degree Name 
  • University Name 
  • Date of Graduation 
  • Undergraduate Academic honors, if earned 
  • Undergraduate College honors, if earned 
  • Undergraduate Departmental honors, if earned 
  • No, we do not have digital copies. 
  • For more information, revisit https://www.memphis.edu/commencement/apply/index.php. 

  

Diplomas & Graduate Certificates will be mailed 4 months after Commencement. They are not available any earlier and not available for pickup. It is your responsibility to ensure we have your correct address. Please pay close attention to the following: 

  

  • Diplomas are mailed 4 months after each Commencement. They are not available for pick-up. 
  • The address on your Graduation Application is what we use. 
  • If you have an update to your address, email us one month after Commencement Day. Do not simply update your address with the University. Again, the address we use is the address that is listed on our graduation application. 
  • If you do not update your address by our deadline above, you will be charged for any reprints, if necessary.  
  • We do not have digital copies (soft copy). 
  • If you have a financial obligation with the University, your diploma will not be processed or mailed until after we are notified that the fees are paid in full. To pay off any financial obligations visit student business services.  
  • The official document of your degree is the Transcript and Degree Verification. The Registrar handles Transcripts, Degree Verification for Schools, Jobs, etc. You can reach them at 901-678-2810 or online at https://www.memphis.edu/registrar/. 
  • For academic related questions and overall certification of your degree, contact your Advisor or Graduation Analyst https://www.memphis.edu/commencement/graduates/graduation-analyst.php.