All ASU ceremonies, including our Convocation, are subject to the university's clear bag policy.
Check-in
- Check-in begins one hour prior to the ceremony start and ends 15 minutes prior to the ceremony start.
- ALL graduating students check-in under the southeast concourse at the Sun Devil Stadium (look for the white tent awnings).
- A photo ID is required to check-in and receive your reader card. You will not be permitted into Desert Financial Arena [map] without a reader card.
- During check-in:
- You will receive your reader card with your name and other information. Keep track of this card, because this is what is used to read your name and have it flash across the jumbotron during the ceremony if you RSVP on time.
- Only working staff, graduating students and authorized guests are allowed in the lower entry points of the arena, on the arena floor and the stage. Unauthorized individuals will be escorted out of these areas to maintain the safety and security of the event.
Be sure to wear your cap and gown to check-in. Graduates not wearing appropriate ASU graduation attire will not be allowed to walk. These can be found at the ASU bookstore or on their website.
Please arrive on time to check-in.
Seating
Tickets are not required for guests. Guest seating begins one hour prior to the ceremony start and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Seating inside the arena for students is organized by degree program only, so graduates may sit with friends within the same program.
How your name will be read
During check-in you will be handed a reader card that lists all of the information as you entered it on the RSVP website.
Please note: If someone else "helps you out" and fills out this form for you, the reader card name that is printed will be their name. Also, if you "auto-populate" the fields, the information may populate incorrectly.
As you walk onto the stage, this card will be collected and your name will be read as you cross the stage. The reader card also allows your name and degree to flash across the jumbotron in the arena as you walk. Don’t lose this card, or your name won’t be seen on the jumbotron.
Procession
Once the ceremony begins, faculty and other honorees will walk in through the west tunnel and proceed to the stage. Graduates should rise and face the center aisle as the platform members walk to the platform stage.
Recession
At the conclusion of the convocation ceremony we ask you to refrain from tossing your caps in the air for your own safety and the safety of other graduates. Besides, if you took the time to decorate it, you would want to keep it!
Graduates stand up at the end of the ceremony and remain standing as the platform party exits, then when directed by ushers, students in first row depart, followed by second row and so forth.
Students will recess from Desert Financial Arena from the West Tunnel. Please advise your guests that, for safety reasons, family and friends may not come down to the arena floor at the conclusion of the ceremony. Family members and friends can meet graduates on the north side of Desert Financial Arena.
If you have any questions regarding the ceremony, contact ed-convocation@asu.edu.
Diplomas
Graduates do not receive diplomas at the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College Convocation Ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed approximately 6-8 weeks after the commencement ceremony to your permanent address on file at the University Registrar’s Office. For more information visit the Graduation section of the University Registrar’s website.
Diploma Covers
Diploma covers will be handed out to master students and undergraduate students at convocation. If you are unable to attend the ceremony, please email your name and address and diploma cover request. Only emails that arrive after the ceremony will be processed.
Doctoral students will receive their diploma covers from the Graduate College; please contact them if you are unable to attend the University Commencement.
