Frequently Asked Questions
Event Information
Western Connecticut State University will hold combined Commencement exercises for Graduate and Undergraduate students on Sunday, May 12, 2024, at the Total Mortgage Arena, 600 Main St., Bridgeport, CT. The ceremony will begin promptly at 10 a.m. and will conclude at approximately noon.
Who is eligible to participate in the 2024 Commencement?
- Bachelor candidates: If you graduated in December 2023, January 2024, or are eligible to graduate in May or August of 2024, please make sure you applied for graduation at the Registrar’s office or check their website to get information and the application at: Graduation – Office of the Registrar (wcsu.edu)
- Master candidates: If you graduated in December 2023, January 2024, or are eligible to graduate in May or August of 2024, please make sure you applied for graduation through the Graduate Studies office or visit their website to get information and the application at: Application for Degree Form – Office of Graduate Studies (wcsu.edu)
- Doctoral candidates: You will be eligible to graduate upon the completion of your dissertation defense and the approval of your Doctoral Advisory Committee.
Ceremony Registration & RSVP – MarchingOrder
The deadline to register and RSVP for the ceremony was April 7. If you plan to attend, please RSVP as soon as possible so that we may account for your participation.
Eligible graduates will receive an email from Event & Conference Management to complete their MarchingOrder account and RSVP for the ceremony. This important step will help us generate the list of graduates and plan for your participation. Your guest tickets will be available through your MarchingOrder account.
https://wcsu.marchingorder.com
If you applied for graduation and have not received a registration email for MarchingOrder, or you are having an issue logging in to MarchingOrder, contact EventConferenceManagement@wcsu.edu.
Academic Regalia
The 2024 deadline to order regalia has passed, however the Alumni Office will still accept late orders. Place your order ASAP to ensure timely delivery.
All participants in the academic procession are required to wear academic regalia. To order your regalia please use the link below:
Commencement Regalia Order (regfox.com)
All academic regalia will be available for pick-up during Grad Salute on Wednesday, May 1st. For any regalia questions or to make alternate pick-up arrangements, please contact the Alumni Office (203) 837-9090 or email Alumni@wcsu.edu.
Guest Tickets
Graduates can claim up to nine tickets for entry into the Total Mortgage Arena. These e-tickets can be accessed through your MarchingOrder account. You may email or print your tickets to give to your guests. Children three (3) years of age and under are not required to have a ticket, but should also be held in the lap of an attendee and cannot occupy a seat without a ticket. If you bring an infant in a car seat/carrier, they will need a ticket because the carrier would take a seat. Be advised that strollers brought into the arena cannot be taken into the seating area. Contact eventconferencemanagement@wcsu.edu with any questions regarding guest tickets.
Grad Salute
Wednesday, May 1 from 2-7 p.m., Westside Campus Center
- Cap & Gown pick up
- Honors Cords pick up
- Reader Card pick up
- Senior Portraits
- Class Ring Sales
- Senior Class Gift
Reader Cards
All graduates participating in commencement must have a reader card. This is the card you will hand to the name reader before you cross the stage. Reader cards will have your full name to be announced, the phonetic spelling of your name (if needed), your school name, and your line up number. To speed up the check-in process on the morning of commencement, reader cards will be available for pick up at Grad Salute on May 1st – remember to bring it with you on commencement day! If you are not able to attend Grad Salute we will have your reader card available for pick up at check-in on the morning of the ceremony.
Commencement Procedure
There is no Commencement rehearsal. Students will get the information they need at the Total Mortgage Arena first level of the arena parking garage, the morning of Commencement. Candidates should arrive at the Total Mortgage Arena no later than 8:45 a.m. to check in and line up for the procession. Look for the banner with your school name and proceed to that area to check in. Be sure to bring your reader card and tassel with your regalia, to the Total Mortgage Arena.
Students will be lined up alphabetically by degree level with their respective school. You will need to keep your reader card with you to assemble for the procession and to have your name announced during the ceremony. This is the order in which you will process to the arena. The procession will begin promptly at 9:45 a.m.
Staff members will direct all candidates to the appropriate areas to line up. University marshals will lead the procession into the arena and direct you to your seat. Remain standing until the University President asks you to be seated.
Each school’s dean will ask their candidates to stand. Your university marshal will direct you to the stage. Hand your name card to the announcer who will read your name. (Degrees will not be announced but will be listed in the commencement program.) Shake hands with your dean and the University President, then proceed, as directed, for your official graduate portrait. After your picture has been taken, go back to your seat. It is important that all candidates remain for the duration of the ceremony out of respect for fellow graduates.
Please stand as the University President officially confers the degree upon your group. At this time, you may officially move the tassel on your cap to the left side.
Respective Deans will give the same cue to each graduating degree group.
At the conclusion of Commencement exercises, all candidates rise for the Recessional. Following is the order of the Recessional: Dais party, faculty, and then graduates, beginning with the first row. March out two-by-two, using the aisles as directed by the Commencement Staff.
Ceremony and Facility Protocol
Please have respect for the other graduates and their guests. Do not leave the Commencement ceremony early.
To preserve the dignity of the ceremony and the safety of those in attendance, air horns, beach balls, and other inflatable items are prohibited and will be confiscated by the arena security.
All bags brought into the venue are subject to search.
Alcoholic beverages are not allowed at the ceremony. Arena Security will confiscate any alcoholic beverages brought into the arena.
Please silence all phones during the ceremony. The use of cellular phones is disruptive to both participants and guests.
Personal Belongings
No personal items should be brought into the processional by candidates. Candidates are encouraged to leave valuables with family and friends, if possible. There will not be a place to store personal belongings. WCSU is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Cap Decorations
We do not prohibit the decorating of mortarboards for commencement. We do ask that your decor is appropriate for all ages.
Honors Cords
Undergraduate honors cords are provided by the Registrar’s Office and are awarded based on the last overall GPA recorded, not including the current semester. They are distributed by the Registrar’s Office. If you have any questions about your eligibility, contact the Registrar’s Office directly at (203) 837-9200. Please note, honors cords will not be available for pick up on the day of the ceremony.
Directions & Parking
There is plenty of parking at the Total Mortgage Arena. There are two large outdoor lots and one parking garage. Parking is free for all commencement graduates and guests. Bridgeport Police will be stationed at the entrance and various arena locations to direct traffic and instruct visitors.
For Directions & Parking Maps, please visit Total Mortgage Arena – Directions & Parking
Accessibility Needs
The Total Mortgage Arena is a handicapped accessible facility. All family members are welcome to attend. Handicapped accessible seating is available on a first come, first served basis. ADA parking is available at each lot/parking garage. In addition, guests may be dropped off at the circle in front of the arena entrance before parking. For more information, please visit Total Mortgage Arena – Accessibility.
If you are graduating and require accommodations, please contact AccessABILITY Services at aas@wcsu.edu.
Student Transportation
Western Connecticut State University will provide free bus transportation to the Total Mortgage Arena, Bridgeport, for 2024 graduate and undergraduate student candidates and family members.
The bus will depart WCSU from the Westside Campus Center bus stop at 8 a.m. The bus will leave the Total Mortgage Arena to return to Danbury 30 minutes after the Commencement ceremony ends. Students must reserve seat(s) by registering here and bring your confirmation on the day of Commencement to board the shuttle.
Seats are limited, please reserve your seats ASAP.
Live Stream Link
Anyone not in attendance may view the commencement ceremony live at www.wcsu.edu/live.
Diplomas
Attending the ceremony does not indicate actual graduation from your program, therefore diplomas are not issued at the ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed to you from the Registrar’s Office approximately eight weeks after your graduation date. If you need to make any changes to how your name will appear on your diploma, please contact the Registrar’s Office at RequestRegistrar@wcsu.edu.
WCSU Official Diploma Frames
Graduation from college is a huge accomplishment. What better way to display this great achievement than in an official WCSU diploma frame? For years to come, your diploma will remain safe and look impressive.
Visit WCSU Diploma Frame Store online. There are several diploma frame styles to choose from and you can even design your frame online.
Flowers and WCSU Gifts
Flowers and WCSU gifts and merchandise will be available for purchase at the arena.
- Follett, our campus bookstore operator, has merchandise and other items that can make a great commemorative gift or keepsake. Please visit them at TheWCSUBookstore.com. Join their email list to receive 10% off your clothing and gift purchase.
- The Commencement Group will be providing flowers for sale at the ceremony. The Commencement Group also encourages customers to take advantage of their online pre-order service. A contact-free customer experience for the guests who are simply picking up their pre-purchased and reserved product will be in place. The pre-order link for commencement flowers and t-shirts is: https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/westernconnecticut/.
Commencement Photographers
GradImages will take official graduation photos at your upcoming ceremony, including on-stage and graduation portraits. Proofs will be emailed to you as soon as 48 hours after the ceremony, or you can search for your proofs on their website. While there is never any obligation to purchase, if you pre-register you will automatically receive a coupon code for 20% off your purchase of $50 or more. Visit www.gradimages.com or call (800) 261-2576 for more information.
Gallery of Graduates – WCSU’s Digital Yearbook!
Celebrate your accomplishments by appearing in the digital yearbook for the Class of 2024! You worked hard to get here, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to show the world your Wolves pride in our Gallery of Graduates.
Simply access the submission form at https://www.wcsu.edu/gallery-of-graduates-form/, upload your (non-watermarked) photo, and fill in the form. We’ll take care of the rest. Congratulations!
Senior Class NYC Dinner Cruise
Friday, May 10 – Click here to register! Limited spots available.
Senior Portraits & Class Rings
Senior Portraits will be taken:
- Thursday, February 1, 2024
Midtown Student Center Theater – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Friday, February 2, 2024
Westside Campus Center Ballroom – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Thursday, April 11, 2024
Midtown Student Center Theater – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Friday, April 12, 2024
Westside Campus Center Ballroom – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Westside Campus Center – 2 to 7 p.m. (Walk-in Only)
Portrait sessions scheduled in February and April are by appointment only. There is no sitting fee and you will be able to view your proofs online. Cap and gown will be available for the portraits, and we recommend that you dress as for a job interview. To make an appointment please visit, www.thorntonstudio.com, click on “schedule appt” and use the school code 01380. If you need to change your appointment, just select a new date & time and your previous appointment will be automatically cancelled. For any questions, please contact Thornton Studio at info@ThorntonStudio.com or 917-847-3671.
For anyone interested in purchasing class rings, a representative from Jostens will be available at the above locations on April 11th, April 12th and May 1st.
Be sure to check your email regularly for commencement updates from the Event & Conference Management department.
Questions regarding commencement? Contact us at eventconferencemanagement@wcsu.edu.
Congratulations Class of 2024!