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Spring 2022 Commencement FAQs

See below for answers to frequently asked questions about Spring 2022 Purdue Commencement events and activities.

What is the Spring 2022 Commencement schedule?

Ceremonies will be held Friday, May 13, Saturday, May 14, Sunday, May 15 and Monday, May 16 at Elliott Hall of Music, and will follow the schedule below:

Division I -- Friday, May 13, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. ET

  • Agriculture
  • Engineering (Schools of ABE, ME, MSE)

Division II -- Friday, May 13, 2022, at 7 p.m. ET

  • Engineering (Schools of AAE, BME, CE, CHE, CNE, ECE, EV, IE, IDE, NE)

Division III -- Saturday, May 14, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. ET

  • Science
  • Veterinary Medicine (Undergraduate and Professional)

Division IV -- Saturday, May 14, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. ET

  • Liberal Arts
  • Management

Division V -- Sunday, May 15, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. ET

  • Health and Human Sciences (Undergraduate and Professional)

Division VI -- Sunday, May 15, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. ET

  • Education
  • Pharmacy (Undergraduate and Professional)
  • Polytechnic Institute (Undergraduate and Professional)

Division VII -- Monday, May 16, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. ET

  • Graduate School (Masters and Doctor of Philosophy-All Schools and Colleges)

 

What time do the doors open before a performance?

Doors generally open 90 minutes prior to the published ceremony start time.

 

Can I bring a bag into the venue?

Guests are encouraged not to bring any type of bags, and only the following are permissible:

  • One bag that is clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and does not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches.
  • One one-gallon clear plastic bag (Ziploc bag or similar).
  • Also permissible is one small clutch bag (no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches)-approximately the size of a hand-with or without a handle or strap.

Exceptions will be made for guests with medically necessary items and/or diaper bags (with a child/children present). All bags are subject to a security search, which creates a slower entry process.

 

What are acceptable and non-acceptable items for Elliott Hall of Music?

Acceptable Items

  • Cameras
  • Flowers
  • Guests that are 2 and under do not require a ticket
  • Service Animals Only

Not Acceptable Items

  • Camera bags or tripods
  • Balloons
  • Beverages or food products-Unless a medical need
  • Noisemakers/posters
  • Wrapped gifts
  • Strollers or car seats
  • Alcohol/tobacco/vape
  • Emotional Support animals
  • Weapons

 

Do I need to let Purdue know if I plan to participate in Spring 2022 commencement in May?

Yes. The commencement task list will be available on the student myPurdue portal at 8:30 a.m., Friday, February 25, 2022. Those students who declare their intent to participate before 10 p.m., Monday, April 4, 2022 will be permitted to participate in the spring 2022 commencement exercises. This will not affect the degree award date.

 

I just applied to graduate, when will my commencement task list appear?

The task list will appear 24 hours after your degree status changes to Pending status.

 

Will my name be read in the Spring 2022 ceremony?

All participating candidates will have their first and last name announced by our Public Orators as you walk across the stage.

 

If I choose not to attend the ceremony, will my name still be announced?

Unfortunately, only candidates that cross the stage with their orator card will have their name announced.

 

Can I change my name that is announced?

No, your name as it appears in your university record will be announced by our Public Orators. The purpose of recording your name is to assist our Public Orators with your name pronunciation.

 

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. Deadlines to request participation and additional information can be found on our Returnee Participation Information page.

 

Do I need to rent the Purdue cap and gown for my commencement ceremony?

Yes, in order to participate, you must be on the participation list, along with renting a Purdue University custom cap and gown. Our distributor Herff Jones will ship to you the cap and gown, along with a prepaid mailing label for you to mail back you gown and hood if you are a graduate or professional candidate. You should receive your cap and gown within 10 business days of submitting your order, and you must return the gown by May 31.

 

Can I wear a keepsake gown that I have at home?

No, a rental gown is required to participate because it’s a custom rental gown unique to Purdue University.

 

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.

**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 at a discounted price is Monday, April 11 with distributor Herff Jones. The last day to order cap and gown at full price is Monday, April 18. Those interested in rentals after April 18 should check with University Book Store.

 

Can I get a refund on my cap & 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 many guest tickets can I receive?

Each candidate who plans to take part in the spring 2022 commencement is guaranteed four guest tickets at no charge. Due to the size of the spring graduating class, no extra tickets will be allotted. The university does not offer guest tickets for sale.

 

Can I sell or give away any guest tickets that my family doesn't need?

No. Selling something Purdue provided for free would violate our student code of conduct and could result in disciplinary action that could also jeopardize a graduate’s degree. If you have unused tickets, please notify commencement@purdue.edu so tickets can be reallocated.

 

Do children require guest tickets?

Anyone above the age of 3 will require a guest ticket.

 

What accommodations do you provide for patrons with disabilities?

Click here to learn about audio enhancement, special seating options, service animals, and other handicapped accessibility considerations. Please note that Elliott Hall of Music and Fowler Hall do not have elevators and all accessible seating is located on the main floors.

 

Will the ceremonies be live-streamed?

Yes. Both ceremonies will be available to watch on our website at www.purdue.edu/commencement.

 

Is tailgating permitted the weekend of graduation?

Due to COVID restrictions, no tailgating will be permitted on campus.

 

When can I expect to receive my diploma?

If requirements are complete, the diploma will be released as the candidate walks across the stage. For those non-participating candidates, diplomas will be mailed four-six weeks following the end of term. Please provide a diploma address through the commencement task list by May 7. If you do not provide a diploma address, your diploma will be sent to your permanent address on file.

 

Who do I contact if I haven't received my diploma?

If you still haven’t received your diploma after June 27, 2022, 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 by Friday, May 20. We can only post degrees for those candidates who were cleared by their college.

 

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 traditional in-person ceremony looks the same, with a personal recognition of each participating graduate.

 

Does this ceremony information also apply to Purdue Northwest, Purdue Fort Wayne, Polytechnic Statewide, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Purdue Global?

No. It is for Purdue West Lafayette only. Candidates should visit the websites of each campus for campus-specific graduation information.