Carla Mendez | Staff Writer
As the anticipation for the Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremony builds, students prepare to gear up for graduation. For many, this moment marks the completion of years of diligence, commitment, and fortitude.
Applying for graduation and registering for your commencement ceremony are two separate steps, meaning that attending commencement is optional and requires a separate registration process. Registration for commencement opens on March 6 and extends until March 24.
Here’s all the information you need to make the most of your Spring 2024 Commencement and guarantee a smooth and unforgettable transition from student life to alumni status:
Commencement Checklist
In order to apply for graduation, students must first verify completion of all degree requirements with their advisor. To register for commencement, students order their passes and tickets through their MyFIU portal during the online registration period from March 6 until March 24.
Commencement passes (with the exception of PhD/EdD/DBA) and graduation gear will be distributed during the commencement fairs. To order proofs of the formal graduation portrait and commencing day photos, students must register with Grad Images. For class rings, students have the option to order them online or at any commencement fair and attend the ring ceremony.
Guest tickets should be printed or emailed to the guests. Each student has five tickets allotted to them with two being free and the three additional tickets for $15 each. The online system to register and order guest tickets opens March 6 through March 24 and can be accessed through the myFIU portal.
Doctoral candidates who submit their final ETD milestone and manuscript for graduation by Friday, March 8 are eligible to participate in the Spring 2024 Commencement. Commencement for master’s students is handled by the Graduation Office.
For those candidates who meet all necessary requirements by the deadline, will be able to pick up their doctoral pass (which is separate from guest tickets) at MARC 430 during the week of Monday, April 22 until Friday, April 26.
Ceremonies
The Spring 2024 Commencement events are slated for April 28 to May 2, 2024, and will include a number of ceremonies honoring several of FIU’s colleges and schools.
Sunday, April 28, 2024 will include ceremonies one and two for the College of Arts, Sciences and Education as well as the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Ceremony 1 will be at 11 a.m. and ceremony 2 will be at 4 p.m.
Monday, April 29, 2024 will include ceremonies three and four for Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs and the College of Engineering and Computing. Ceremony three will take place at 10 a.m. while ceremony 4 will be at 3 p.m.
Tuesday, April 30, 2024 includes ceremonies five and six for the College of Engineering and Computing as well as the College of Business. Ceremony five will commence at 10 a.m. while ceremony 6 begins at 3 p.m.
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 holds ceremonies seven and eight for the Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and for the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. Ceremony seven will begin at 10 a.m. while the eighth at 3 p.m.
Last but not least, Thursday, May 2, 2024 will be for ceremonies nine and 10. Ceremony nine is for the College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts at 10 a.m. while ceremony 10 is for the College of Business at 3 p.m.
Entry and Guidelines
Graduates proceed to the student entrance by following the floor decals and entering through Gate 4 upon reaching the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. To access the Convocation Center and take part in the event, each graduate has to have a commencement pass.
Ensure that the barcode on the commencement pass is legible to ensure students are recognized on the big displays. Graduating students who did not receive their pass at graduation should show up with their Panther ID ready to the personnel at the student entrance one hour prior to the program.
Doctorate candidates enter through Gate 4 and then proceed to the Doctorate Candidate Robing Room.
Inside Gate 4, grad gear will be sold which includes gowns and caps. Graduates are not allowed to wear altered gowns and must wear FIU-branded regalia.
For administrative reasons, the gates will close for a short period during the commencement ceremony. Doors will reopen, and ticketed guests and graduates will be seated soon after the platform party enters and the National Anthem and Alma Mater are sung.
Tips in Preparation
To guarantee a seamless and pleasurable ceremony day, preparation is paramount. To ensure parking and ticket distribution for your family and friends, try to come at least an hour before the event starts.
By arriving early, you can make sure that everyone in your group can enter the Ocean Bank Convocation Center without any trouble, giving you more time to enjoy every moment without any added stress or problems.
Students who would like to purchase their graduation gear ahead of time may do so at the FIU Barnes & Noble bookstore.
However, the best place for students to pick up their regalia is at a Commencement Fair where there are discounted prices, a free formal graduation photo along with free food.
