Rutgers logo
Commencement
Rutgers logo
Commencement
Rutgers logo
Commencement
Rutgers logo
Commencement
Steps to Commencement graphic

Steps to Commencement

Congratulations Class of 2024

Rutgers University–New Brunswick and Rutgers Health Commencement will be held Sunday, May 12, 2024 at SHI Stadium.

Ceremony starts at 10 a.m. 

  • Stay in communication with your school. 

    • Rutgers University­–New Brunswick Students: Log in to Degree Navigator, or other degree auditing tools, to ensure you are on track to complete your degree. If you notice any discrepancies, please contact your academic adviser immediately.
    • Rutgers Health Schools Students: Contact your dean’s office directly for graduation requirements.

    Complete the Online Diploma Application and confirm your graduation date. 

    • Rutgers–New Brunswick Students: You must complete an Online Diploma Application with the Office of the Registrar. Confirm the name you would like displayed on your diploma and the correct permanent mailing address is on file so that you receive your diploma after graduation. Diploma's are mailed from the Office of the Registrar two to three months after Commencement.
    • Confirm that you are classified to complete your degree during the correct month and year.

    Mid-year degree recipients can attend the RU–NB & Rutgers Health Commencement ceremony in May.

    Most students who expect to receive degrees in October 2023, January 2024, May 2024, or August 2024 are eligible to participate in the May 2024 school-based convocations and Commencement events. This may vary by school. Contact your school directly with questions.

  • All financial obligations to the university must be cleared before you can receive your diploma.

  • All students who plan to participate on the field at the stadium during the 258th Anniversary Commencement and in school-based Convocation ceremonies must wear academic regalia, consisting of cap, gown, and hood. Academic regalia is provided through Barnes & Noble at Rutgers. Order Regalia here.

    Honor society cords are distributed through the Dean's office of the school from which you are graduating. Information will be sent to students who are eligible for honor cords. Other recognition cords and stoles are available through specific departments or groups. 

    Please note: Academic regalia will NOT be sold at the stadium. Please plan ahead. 

  • Commencement parking hangtags are required for all New Brunswick and Piscataway campus lots on the day of Commencement. Permits issued by Rutgers DoT are not valid on Commencement Day. 

    • Student Parking Registration is now open until April 15. Registered graduating students will receive two free parking hangtags —and remaining hangtags will be sold at a later date. Early registration is recommended.
    • Special Needs Parking is now open and is available for guests and graduates with disabilities and those who are unable to walk ½ mile or more. Early registration is recommended.

  • No tickets are needed for Commencement! Everyone can come!

  • You've worked hard and it’s time to celebrate your accomplishment! 

    Film Your Shout Out! Say Thank You: Record a shout-out to the people that have supported you throughout your college career—it will appear on the stadium video board at Commencement! 

    • 04/04 Shout Out at Career Exploration & Success. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
    • 04/17 Shout Out at Hot Dog Day, Graduate Student Lounge. 2-5 p.m.
    • 04/27 Shout Out at Rutgers Day, Scott Hall (Voorhees Mall.) 

    Mother's Day Notes
    Shout out your mom or mother figure in their life by making a Mother's Day Note that will be shown on the big video board on Sunday, May 12. 

    What is a Mother's Day Note? 
    It's starts with a photo of you, the graduate! Submit of photo of yourself, waist or shoulders up, shot vertically, ideally in cap and gown and a special Mother’s Day Note, a maximum of 40 words. Submit HERE.

    Senior Portraits: Lors Photography is offering Senior Portrait Sessions at the College Avenue Student Center. Seniors were sent an email from Lors with details and links to book portrait sessions. If you did not receive an email, please email customerservices@lorsstudio.com or call 908-964-3040. *Please note: Graduates receive a free sitting only.

    Share Your Next Steps: Complete the survey from the Career Exploration and Success office about your post-graduation plans for your chance to be entered into a raffle to win your choice of Apple Air Pods or a $100 Amazon gift card!

    • Learn more about SHI Stadium, where Commencement will be held
    • Visit the Accessibility page where graduates and guests with disabilities or those requiring other accommodations for Commencement will find information on special-needs parking, seating, alternative viewing options and more
    • Post your Commencement photos on social media with AR stickers from our Show Your Scarlet Pride page and use our official hashtag #RU2024

Rutgers Commencement Traditions

Ring the Red Lion Bell

The Red Lion Bell was gifted to Rutgers in 2011. It is named after the former tavern, the Sign of the Red Lion, where Rutgers held its first classes in the 1770s.

The gift triggered a new tradition at Rutgers. Students ring the bell at the beginning of their studies during New Student Convocation and at the end of their journeys at Commencement. 

Graduates are encouraged to ring the bell to signify their graduation before descending the stairs to the marshaling area.

Breaking Pipes

The breaking of clay pipes over the Class of 1877 Cannon in front of Old Queens symbolizes the breaking of ties with the college, and leaving behind the good times of one's undergraduate years.

The Rutgers University Mace

The university mace, an ornamental staff symbolizing the authority of the president, is borne before the president in academic processions by the secretary of the university. The design of the Rutgers mace incorporates signs of the institution’s traditions and status as New Jersey’s state university. The head of the mace bears the university’s coat of arms and its seal worked in colored enamel and gold on silver, all surmounted by a facsimile of the crown of Queen Charlotte, for whom the university was originally named “Queen’s.” The long shaft is made of stained wood and silver on which are engraved intertwining ivy leaves, symbolizing learning; red oak leaves, representing New Jersey’s state tree; and violets, the state flower.

The mace was a gift to the university from the Raritan Valley Chapter of the Society for the Advancement of Management and the New Brunswick-Raritan Valley Chamber of Commerce, in recognition of Rutgers’ bicentennial commemoration in 1966. The mace was designed by J. Russell Price, director of design for the Gorham Manufacturing Company, and crafted by the Gorham silversmithing department.

On the Banks of the Old Raritan

In 1873, the Rutgers Glee Club commissioned Howard Fuller to write a formal alma mater that would inspire students and alumni. Fuller modified the song 30 years later. The Glee Club added verses in following decades as the university expanded and revised the piece in 2013 to reflect the composition of the modern student body. Whichever version you choose to sing, the song still stirs the hearts of loyal sons and daughters more than 140 years later.

Decorate Your Motarboard

Don't forget to decorate your mortarboard! The mortarboard is generally believed by scholars to have developed from the biretta, a similar-looking hat worn by Roman Catholic clergy. Today graduates personalize their graduation caps.

Think of your graduation cap as a blank canvas, where you can express yourself proudly. It’s the perfect place for an inspirational message, cute illustration, or photo scrapbook.

The Class of 1902 Memorial Gateway 

Students are warned to avoid walking beneath the gate before commencement over a superstition that one who does so will not graduate on time.

Before the move of Commencement to SHI Stadium, graduating students walked in academic procession though Old Queens down Will's Way as the Old Queens Bell rang out and under the Class of 1902 Memorial Gateway on Hamilton Street leading to the ceremonies  held on Voorhees Mall.

Commencement vs. Convocation | What's the Difference?

Commencement VS Convocation

Commencement vs Convocation | What's the difference?

Academic Procession and Conferring of Degrees

Academic Procession

  • When you arrive in the area go to your school corral. Download the assembly and field seating map.
  • In your school’s assembly area you will be given your spiritmaker, which will designate your school on the field of graduates. Be sure to wave it when your school is asked to rise. 
  • Water and restrooms are available, just look for signs.
  • A slide show in the assembly area will provide a countdown for the start of the procession. Please follow the instructions to walk in an orderly, single file line, with decorum. All graduates should walk in a line so that they can follow their school to the specific seating area assigned for your school. 
  • Commencement Marshals will direct you to your seat on the field where you will be grouped in your academic units. Once at your seat on the field, please be seated until you are asked to rise for The National Anthem. 
  • For your safety, do not stand on your seat and stay out of the aisles so that others can process to their seats. 

The Conferring of Degrees

  • After the student speaker delivers the class address, the chancellors will read out the names of each school and the degrees offered at each school.
  • At this time, we ask that all graduates stand as your school is called and remain standing throughout the conferral of the degrees.
  • When the president confers all of the degrees, and tells you to move your tassel, the cannon will fire to signal this special moment at Rutgers.
Procession

Graduate Day of Instructions

happy graduates at commencement

8 a.m. - Stadium gates open
9 a.m. - Graduates arrive in assembly area
10 a.m. - Ceremony begins with processional
11:30 a.m. - Ceremony concludes

  • Allow at least two hours to park and get to SHI Stadium
  • Shuttle buses start running at 7 a.m.
  • All graduates should plan to be inside the stadium by 9 a.m.
  • Download the assembly area/stadium map PDF. 
  • Upon arrival at the stadium, leave your guests to find their seats and head to the south end of the stadium, toward the large video board. As you head to the assembly area, there will photo op locations available to celebrate the day. You can also ring the Red Lion Bell to signify your departure from Rutgers. 
  • Go to the field level area to gather with fellow graduates. An elevator is available for students with mobility challenges. 
  • Grab your school’s spirit maker flag and line up with your classmates from the school issuing your degree. If you want to sit with friends, be sure they are standing in front of or behind you during the procession 
  • During the procession, walk onto the field in a dignified, single file line, with some formality.
  • Follow the instructions of the marshals as you walk process to your school's designated seating area.
  • Smile! You are on camera.

Commencement Parking Information

Curbside drop-off is strictly prohibited at SHI Stadium. Please plan accordingly. 

Commencement hangtags are not needed for academic convocations and receptions held on other days.

Parking & Transportation
cars next to a parking sign