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• There is no rehearsalÌýfor commencement.
• All Â鶹ÊÓƵ Commencement ceremoniesÌýtake place in Bender Arena. The ceremonies are expected to run approximately two hours.
• Use the commencement hashtag #2024Â鶹ÊÓƵgrad for the Fall 2024 ceremonies on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Your posts will appear on the screens inside Bender Arena before the ceremony.

• Arrive at the Bender Arena Sports Center lobby 45 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony and proceed to the 2nd floor for check-in. Wear your regalia upon arrival.ÌýÌý
• When you check in, you will be given a reader card pre-printed with your name and QR code.ÌýDO NOT LOSE THIS CARD.
• Graduates will be directed to their line-up locations. Look for the sign that identifies your degree group when you arrive at your assembly area.Ìý

Important Notes:

• Only graduating students will be permitted in the assembly areas in the Tavern and Sports Center.Ìý
• All graduates must be in regalia unless they are active military in uniform.
• Regalia includes: Gown, mortarboard or tam, stole, and/or cords.
• Anything other than regalia will not be permitted.
• There is no coat check or secure location to store your belongings in the line-up areas or Arena during the ceremony. Please leave all personal belongings with your guests or in your vehicle during the ceremony. For security purposes, do not leave bags unattended.
• All bags are subject to search upon entry to Bender Arena.
• Objects that impede visibility, signs, banners, flags, airhorns, and noisemakers are prohibited.
• No food or drink will be permitted in the Arena with the exception of bottled or refillable water containers.
• Alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited at commencement.
• Use #2024Â鶹ÊÓƵGrad on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Your posts will appear on the big screens inside Bender Arena and on the commencement website before your ceremony!

• Graduates begin lining up for the processionalÌý45 minutes priorÌýto the ceremony. Choose a partner from your school and degree group and line up two abreast. Your partner must be receiving the same degree as you. Doctoral students will line up with their dissertation advisors.
• GraduatesÌýwill be given a card pre-printed with their name, QR code, and email address.ÌýDO NOT LOSE THIS CARD. You will hand this card to the audio technician during the ceremony so that your unique QR code can be scanned and your name can be announced as you cross the stage.Ìý
• Your degree group will stay together throughout the processional, ceremony, and recessional. Remain in line with your partner, and you will be guided to a seat.
• Please keep the line straight and orderly during the processional. Do not leave the line once the processional begins. When you reach aÌýrow, the partner on the right enters first. Proceed directly to your chair and be seated.

• Following the president's charge to the graduates, graduates will be called to the platform for individual recognition. At the appropriate time you will be led from a seat to the ramp at the right of the stage.ÌýMake sure you have your reader card with you.
• ProPics will take the first photo of you at the bottom of the ramp.
• Go up the ramp. Approach the audio tech table and hand the technician your reader card.
• When your name is announced, walk to your dean, who will hand you a ceremonial diploma.Ìý
• For doctoral candidates only: When your name is announced, hand your degree hood to the dean. The dean and your advisor will place the hood over your head, and you will receive your diploma.
• Proceed across the stage and pause for a photo with President Alger.ÌýContinue across the stage and go down the ramp. ProPics will take the third photo of you as you depart the stage.Ìý
• After the stage crossing and third photo, return directly to a seat.ÌýNote you will not return to the same seat!

Recessional

• After members of the faculty have left the arena, ushers will direct graduates from the arena. Please stay in line and keep moving until all graduates have exited the arena. If the weather is bad, there will be no graduate recessional.

After the Ceremony

• To prevent confusion, please determine in advance where you will meet your party immediately following the ceremony.
• Bachelor's and master's are keepsake regalia and do not need to be returned. The rental doctoral regalia may be returned within 4 weeks of the ceremony date via the return label included in the regalia order.Ìý
• You can view the archived video online atÌýamerican.edu/commencement. A link will be available on the website after the ceremony.