Commencement FAQ
See below for answers to frequently asked questions about December 2020 Purdue Commencement events and activities.
Do I need to let Purdue know if I plan to participate in a virtual ceremony in December?
No. We will include everyone who indicated their candidacy by Oct. 9. Those students who declare their intent to graduate after Oct. 9 will be included in our spring printed program. This will not affect the degree award date.
Will my name be read in the December virtual ceremony?
We will include the names of all undergraduate students who applied to graduate before Oct. 9 and all graduate students who were identified by the Graduate School as candidates before Oct. 9.
We will read full names for all doctoral candidates and first and last names for all master’s and undergraduate students, using the pronunciations you provided.
If I do a virtual ceremony in December, does that mean I cannot participate in a future ceremony in person?
No. You are welcome to participate in a virtual ceremony and return to campus for any future summer or winter ceremony.
Can I walk in a future graduation ceremony?
Yes. You may contact commencement@purdue.edu prior to any summer or winter ceremony to arrange participation. More information can be found on our Returnee Participation Information page.
How can I purchase only the keepsake items (mortarboard, tassel, stole)?
Please reach out to a representative of distributor Herff Jones via email to purchase these items.
Can I still rent the Purdue cap and gown for my family event?
Yes. Distributor Herff Jones will ship to you the cap and gown, along with a prepaid envelope for you to mail back. You should receive your cap and gown within 10 business days of submitting your order, and you must return the gown by Dec. 31.
Special note for international addresses: Due to COVID-19, Herff Jones is not currently shipping to international addresses.
What is the deadline for cap and gown rental?
The rental deadline with distributor Herff Jones (without a $75 late fee) is Nov. 10. Those interested in rentals after Nov. 16 should check with University Book Store.
Can I get a refund on my cap and gown?
Yes. If you cancel your order prior to receipt or you return it unopened, you can receive a refund. However, we do encourage you to consider renting the cap and gown for your special graduation photos.
How do I handle my graduation announcements now that the on-site ceremony is canceled?
It’s OK to share your preprinted announcements. You are still a December 2020 graduate. However, if you prefer to receive announcements more reflective of a date, you may contact distributor Herff Jones at 800-837-4235 and speak with customer service to determine what may be offered.
When can I expect to receive my diploma?
Diplomas are not ordered until final grades have posted, colleges have audited your record to ensure all requirements have been met, and we have been notified that we can release your degree. You should expect to receive your diploma by approximately Feb. 1.
Who do I contact if I haven’t received my diploma?
If after Feb. 1 you still haven’t received your diploma, you can contact Commencement staff via email, making sure to include your PUID number so that we can investigate.
Why isn’t my major printed on my diploma?
Per Purdue University regulations, very few majors are part of the degree name. Your degree name only is printed on the diploma. Majors, minors and areas of concentration will appear on your transcript.
Why did I receive only one diploma when I completed two degrees?
Those who complete more than one major within the same college receive one degree and one diploma. All majors, minors and areas of concentration will appear on your transcripts.
When should I expect to see my degree posted on my transcript?
Our goal is to post this information during the week of Jan. 4. We can only post degrees for those candidates who were cleared by their college.
Will I receive a Commencement box?
If by Oct. 9 you have declared your intent to graduate, you will receive a Commencement box sent to the diploma address or permanent address that was active and on file as of Oct. 9. We plan to ship boxes during the week of Nov. 16.
Who do I contact if I don’t receive my Commencement box?
If you have not received your box by Dec. 7, you can contact Commencement staff via email, making sure to include your PUID number so that we may investigate.
Why didn’t Purdue just postpone graduation?
Purdue administrators made the decision they felt was best given the information available at the time a decision was necessary.
Does Purdue allow students to only walk with “their class”?
No. Students routinely elect to participate in a ceremony with students they didn’t enter college with for a variety of reasons, including early completion, delayed completion and travel constraints. We ensure that each in-person ceremony looks the same, with a personal recognition of each participating graduate.
Have graduating seniors been involved in making decisions on what this virtual ceremony will look like?
Yes. We have engaged students and members of student government regarding the details of the virtual ceremony.
Does this ceremony information also apply to Purdue Northwest, Purdue Fort Wayne, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Purdue Global?
No. It is for Purdue West Lafayette and Polytechnic Statewide only. Candidates should visit the websites of each campus for campus-specific graduation information.
