Graduate Information

Graduation ceremonies are, by their very nature, festive occasions. The festivity manifests itself in many ways, including the dress of the students and faculty adorned in academic regalia and the warmth, joy and satisfaction of accomplishment. The ceremonies are also a solemn occasion; the actual conferring of degrees signifies long, hard work on the part of everyone involved: students, faculty, administrators, parents and spouses. As a consequence of the serious nature of the ceremony, students are expected to maintain a measure of decorum consonant with the occasion. Applause and other recognition of the conferring of degrees should be limited to a joint effort at the conclusion of each graduation group. Graduates are expected to return to their seats after receiving their diploma and to remain seated for the rest of the ceremony. Family and guests are asked to remain seated for the entire ceremony, refraining from leaving their seats in order to take pictures or to talk to graduates.

Please note these additional rules:

• No alcohol or illegal drugs are permitted in or around the Civic Center. Graduates who appear to be under the influence of either will be removed from the lineup and will not participate in the ceremony.
• Candidates should not chew gum or tobacco.
• Air horns or other noisemaking devices are not permitted by graduates or guests and will be confiscated.Balloons and banners are not permitted inside the Civic Center.
• Candidates should not have personal belongings in their possession during the commencement ceremony.

Student participation in the commencement ceremonies is optional. Should a graduate choose not to participate, it will not impact their graduation status or eligibility.

All graduates must register through the MarchingOrder site, regardless of if you choose to participate in the commencement ceremony. 

Students who wish to participate in a Commencement ceremony must have all degree requirements met by the time of the ceremony. Students may monitor degree progress by checking their Academic Requirements Report in GullNet.

For more information on graduation eligibility, please visit the Office of the Registrar's page.

All graduates must register through the MarchingOrder site, regardless of if you choose to participate in the commencement ceremony.

What is MarchingOrder?

• It allows you to register for commencement online, which is REQUIRED for participation in the ceremony
• Obtain e-tickets for your guests
• Gives you the ability to record your name to ensure it is pronounced correctly on your big day
• Allows you to be shown on the big screen as you receive your diploma and have your name displayed

How to Access MarchingOrder & Register for Commencement:
Once you've been approved to graduate, you'll receive an email from  commencement@salisbury.edu  via marchingorder.com inviting you to register. Only those approved to graduate will be sent this email and have access.

Log In to MarchingOrder Here (Graduates Only).

How many tickets will I receive?
Each graduate is eligible for up to six tickets for the ceremony.

How do I print/email my tickets?
Once you have registered with MarchingOrder, you will see a red button that says Print/Email Tickets after you log in. You can choose to email your tickets to your guests or print a copy for them. Each e-ticket will be affixed with a unique barcode that will be scanned for entry into the Civic Center. Each ticket will only be able to be scanned once.

As a graduate, you do not need a ticket for yourself, but each of your guests (including children over two years of age) will need a ticket to enter.

QUESTIONS?
For additional commencement details, please visit salisbury.edu/commencement or contact us at  commencement@salisbury.edu.

Candidates for graduation must purchase and wear Salisbury University cap and gown (regalia), adhere to the regalia guidelines, and comply with related processes in order to participate in the ceremony. Degree candidates may not wear borrowed regalia.

The cost of regalia is $ 67.00 for bachelors and $71.00 for masters regalia.

In-person orders for caps and gowns will take place September 23-25 at the SU Bookstore.

To order your cap and gown online, please visit the SU Bookstore website. Payment will be due upon order placement.

Shipping is available to students meeting any of the following criteria: 1) studying abroad; 2) enrolled in classes at a satellite campus; 3) interning out of the lower Delmarva region; or 4) enrolled in online classes and not living in the lower Delmarva region.

Cap and Gown pick up is scheduled for November 13-15 in the SU Bookstore.

Students will also have the opportunity to take cap and gown portrait photos at the Cap and Gown Pick-Up Fair at the Bookstore on November 13-15.  Photos will be taken by GradImages. There is no charge for the portrait session, and there is no obligation to purchase a portrait package.

Shipping of cap and gown is available to students meeting any of the following criteria: 1) studying abroad; 2) enrolled in classes at a satellite campus; 3) interning out of the lower Delmarva region; or 4) enrolled in online classes and not living in the lower Delmarva region. Please contact the Bookstore (bookstore@salisbury.edu) for more information.

Commencement is a formal academic occasion and should be viewed as such in dress and demeanor.

The following guidelines are provided to help you prepare for your Commencement ceremony. Graduates choosing not to abide by these guidelines will not be allowed in the Civic Center and may be escorted from the ceremony.

• Regalia may show part of your clothing underneath. Recommended dress is similar to what you would wear to a formal interview.
• Shorts are not permitted.
• Dress shoes are suggested. The stairs/ramps to the stage are steep; please keep this in mind when considering heel height.
• The gown should be mid-calf.
• No jewelry is permitted on or over the gown.
• No flowers are permitted on the academic robe. Flowers may not be carried.
• The mortarboard (academic cap) should be worn with the front point over the forehead below the front hairline, so the flat board is parallel to the floor.
• Undergraduate students earning Latin honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude) wear an honors cord. Latin honors cords are distributed to eligible students with the cap and gown.
• Candidates for the bachelor’s degree enter the auditorium with the tassel on the right, hanging near the right eye. After the degrees are conferred, graduates will be invited to shift the tassel to the left.

Professional photographers will take photos of graduates as diplomas are awarded. Graduates will receive graduation photo information from GradImages (www.gradimages.com). A proof with ordering details will arrive at your permanent address within two to four weeks after commencement.

GradImages will also take cap and gown portrait photos at the Cap and Gown Pick-Up Fair at the Bookstore on November 13-15. There is no charge for the portrait session, and there is no obligation to purchase a portrait package.

GradImages offers 20% off an order of $50 or more when you pre-register your contact information. To pre-register, visit https://www.gradimages.com/registration.

*Please note that registering with GradImages does not replace the need to register with MarchingOrder. All graduates must still complete their registration for Commencement through MarchingOrder.

To ensure that each graduate is able to fully participate in commencement, graduates with physical disabilities needing assistance, please notify us through the MarchingOrder system by November 18.

The Salisbury University Alumni Office is acknowledging our legacy families with reserved seating during the December 2024 commencement. If you have a parent, step-parent, guardian, or grandparent who graduated from Salisbury, you are a legacy student. 

Please indicate on MarchingOrder if you are part of a legacy family. 

You should arrive at the Civic Center one hour prior to the start of your ceremony to allow ample time to park your vehicle and enter the building. Carpooling is recommended as parking delays are expected. Graduates should NOT bring personal property to graduation. You will not be permitted to carry personal items during the ceremony.

All graduates enter through the Main Entrance - Normandy Arena of the Civic Center to line up for processional one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. As you face the front of the Civic Center, the student entrance is to the left. Graduates do not require a ticket for entrance to the Civic Center.

Problems with caps and gowns can be corrected on the day of the ceremony by SU Bookstore employees at the Civic Center, in Flanders Room No. 1, to the left of the arena entrances.

It is important to know your school or college as it will determine your line-up location. When you enter the Civic Center, look for the colored signs designating your school/college. There will be SU staff located throughout the Civic Center to help direct you. When you arrive at your line-up location, you will need to check-in to get your line-up card. Faculty marshals will be there to guide you every step of the way - line-up, the processional, crossing the stage, returning to your seat, and the recessional.

Graduates are awarded degrees by school or college. Graduates are awarded diplomas individually. Faculty marshals will give graduates a card with your name, degree and Latin honors, if applicable. When it is time to cross the stage, graduates will hand their card to the designated staff member on the stage. Information on the card is prerecorded and must not be changed for any reason.

All graduates receive a diploma cover at commencement. Diplomas are mailed to your permanent address approximately six weeks after the ceremony to allow SU time to certify you have met all graduation requirements. For questions about your diploma, please contact the Registrar’s Office at 410-543-6150 or registrar@salisbury.edu.

Majors are not listed on Salisbury University diplomas, but they are included on official transcripts.

Students with an outstanding account balance will not receive diplomas or transcripts until the balance is paid in full.; Contact the Cashiers Office ( cashiers@salisbury.edu) for more information.

As part of an ongoing effort to ensure a safe and enjoyable event, Salisbury University will adhere to Civic Center policies regarding allowable items into the facility.  Please review these policies in advance, paying particular attention to bag and signage limitations.

The ceremony will be livestreamed. The broadcast may be viewed on the main Commencement page and will automatically start 10 minutes before the ceremony.