Commencement FAQs
Graduate Information Diplomas Regalia (Cap and Gown) Graduate Day of Information
Guest Information Parking Faculty and Staff Contact Us
Graduate Information
Commencement is held twice a year, at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters.
View commencement dates here.
AFD stands for Application for Degree. You file your AFD to let the university know that you intend to graduate in a specific semester. The AFD is located in your myWSU portal > myClasses > Graduation Links. Prior to filing your AFD, you should review your Degree Works Audit and verify everything is correct. For help, please contact your college's graduation advisor.
FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY: There is a $25.00 fee in order to file your AFD. Click here for more details.
IMPORTANT: The AFD also lets you list your name as you wish it to appear on your diploma,
in the commencement program and read/displayed at commencement. PLEASE TAKE EXTRA
CARE TO VERIFY THAT THIS FIELD IS CORRECT.
If you plan to participate in the commencement ceremony and would like your name included in the program, you must complete your AFD by the following deadlines:
Undergrad Students
Fall Graduates: OCTOBER 1
Spring/Summer Graduates: MARCH 1
Graduate Students:
20th day of classes
Although there is no fee to participate in commencement, students are required to wear academic regalia (cap and gown).
GRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY: There is a $25.00 fee in order to file your AFD.
Participation is voluntary. Participation in Commencement is unrelated to graduation and the awarding of your degree. Even if you don't want to participate in the commencement ceremony, you still need to file your AFD. When you get the email asking you to RSVP for commencement, log in and submit a NO rsvp.
HOWEVER, if you think you might want to, or are unsure if you can make it, we encourage you to RSVP anyway. It is easier to remove an RSVP than add one.
Walk Late: Graduates can walk up to one year (2 commencement ceremonies) after their official graduation semester. Please email commencement@wichita.edu with your original graduation semester, reason for postponing your walk, and desired ceremony to walk in.
Walk Early: Graduates may walk up to one semester early (1 ceremony) if their college approves. Graduates must contact their college advisor with this request and then have the advisor email the commencement office with the approval. NOTE: Graduates walking early do not qualify for academic honors to be displayed/announced at the commencement ceremony. Honors (if applicable) will be displayed in the program the semester the student officially graduates.
NOTE: Graduate's names will only be listed in the program the semester they officially graduate(d).
The Registrar's Office handles these requests. Please direct questions to student.verification@wichita.edu or call (316) 978-3055.
- Fill out your Application for Degree if you haven鈥檛 already. This is located on your myWSU page under the MyClasses tab at the top, under graduation links. This application must be completed before we can generate your letter.
- Please fill out this request form (SACM and Kuwait Students click here)with all of your information to be included in your letter. Under 鈥淢ail Certifications to,鈥 you do not need to fill out that information unless you want us to mail the letter directly to your parents, which will be an extra $60 charge for international FedEx. Please make sure you include your projected graduation date as well as when you would like to walk in a graduation ceremony. Next to 鈥淚nvitees/Relationship to Student,鈥 please include your family members鈥 full names and their relationship to you. You may include as many people as you would like on one letter as long as they all live at the same physical address.
- Once you have returned that form to us, please call the Registrar's Office at 316-978-3055 to give us your credit card information over the phone. We DO NOT take credit card information over email, so do not fill it out at the bottom of your form. The letter itself costs $12. If you would like to pick the letter up in-person, there is no additional charge besides that $12.
- Finally, once all of these steps have been completed, we will email you a draft of your letter to make sure everything is spelled correctly and the information we have included is correct. Once you approve that, you will be able to come pick up your letter or we will send it in the mail, depending on your preference.
Graduates can email student.verification@wichita.edu with any questions.
The university only confers honors for undergraduate degrees.
Honors are based on BOTH the WSU cumulative grade point average and the overall cumulative grade point average:
Summa Cum Laude 鈮 3.9
Magna Cum Laude 鈮 3.55
Cum Laude 鈮 3.25
As grades are not confirmed in time for commencement or the program, student honors are listed based off the prior semester鈥檚 GPAs. There are no exceptions. Your final honors will be reflected on your diploma.
The Toast is a graduation celebration held by Student Affairs each semester. Click here to learn more or RSVP.
Check with your college to see if they host any college specific graduation events.
Diplomas
Diploma distribution dates are listed below. Diplomas can be picked up at the transcript window on the first floor in Jardine Hall on the Main Campus. If the distribution dates fall on a weekend or holiday, diplomas will be available the next business day. You must show identification to pick up your diploma and cover.
Fall diplomas: Available starting February 8
Spring diplomas: Available starting July 1
Summer diplomas: Available starting September 8
Dates are subject to change. Official communication will be sent out to all graduates regarding pickup of their diplomas.
TOP
Regalia (Cap and Gown)
Bachelor's Students (and Associates): Bachelor鈥檚 gown, mortarboard cap, major tassel (by color)
Master's Students: Master鈥檚 gown, mortarboard cap, master hood (by color), major tassel (by color)
Specialist Students: Master鈥檚 gown, mortarboard cap, specialist hood (by color), major tassel (by color)
Doctoral Students: Doctoral gown, mortarboard cap or tam, doctorate hood (by color), Dr. Old Gold major tassel (by color)
The turning of the tassel is used to signify a person鈥檚 transition from candidate to graduate.
Bachelor鈥檚/Associates: For an undergraduate degree, tassels are worn on the right side of the cap before the ceremony and are then moved from the right side to the left when directed to do so by the graduation speaker.
Master鈥檚/Specialist/Doctorate: For graduate degrees, tassels are worn on the left side of the cap before, during and after graduating as you have already received an undergraduate degree.
No. Certain specialty (pre-order only) stoles are available for order; graduates should know if they are eligible for these stoles. If uncertain, please contact your college to inquire. The only stoles carried in-stock, as an open stock item, are for the Honors College.
The Shocker Store sells a gold double-knotted honor cord for Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude distinctions. Wearing the honor cord is optional.
TOP
Graduate Day of Information
Only graduates are permitted on stage. If you have extenuating circumstances, you must email commencement@wichita.edu as soon as you RSVP.
TOP
Guest Information
The Registrar's Office handles these requests. Please direct questions to student.verification@wichita.edu or call (316) 978-3055.
- Fill out your Application for Degree if you haven鈥檛 already. This is located on your myWSU page under the MyClasses tab at the top, under graduation links. This application must be completed before we can generate your letter.
- Please fill out this request form (SACM and Kuwait Students click here)with all of your information to be included in your letter. Under 鈥淢ail Certifications to,鈥 you do not need to fill out that information unless you want us to mail the letter directly to your parents, which will be an extra $40 charge for international FedEx. Please make sure you include your projected graduation date as well as when you would like to walk in a graduation ceremony. Next to 鈥淚nvitees/Relationship to Student,鈥 please include your family members鈥 full names and their relationship to you. You may include as many people as you would like on one letter as long as they all live at the same physical address.
- Once you have returned that form to us, please call the Registrar's Office at 316-978-3055 to give us your credit card information over the phone. We DO NOT take credit card information over email, so do not fill it out at the bottom of your form. The letter itself costs $12. If you would like to pick the letter up in-person, there is no additional charge besides that $12.
- Finally, once all of these steps have been completed, we will email you a draft of your letter to make sure everything is spelled correctly and the information we have included is correct. Once you approve that, you will be able to come pick up your letter or we will send it in the mail, depending on your preference.
Graduates can email student.verification@wichita.edu with any questions.
Seating for guests with disabilities and companions are available in Sections 106, 108, 110, 120, 121, and 122.
Limited Mobility seating is available in Sections 104, 112, 119 and 123, rows 15 & 16.
Seating is first come, first served. There are no reservations.
SEE CLEAR BAG POLICY FOR MORE GUIDELINES
Please observe the following restrictions for all Commencement Activities on the 麻豆破解版 State University Campus. The following items are prohibited from entering Koch Arena:
- Drugs and alcohol
- Outside food and drink
- Weapons 鈥 firearms, knives, razorblades, pepper spray, tasers, brass knuckles, cat keys, etc.
- Noisemakers 鈥 air horns, bells, megaphones, whistles, etc.
- Balloons, poles, banners, large signs, flags, laser pointers, or incendiary devices
- Strollers, car seats
- Flash/professional photography, detachable lenses, monopods, tripods
- Selfie sticks
- Live animals (except guide and service dogs)
- Large/Golf umbrellas (non-retractable)
- Seat Cushions larger than 14鈥 x 14鈥 x 6鈥
- Computers and tablets larger than 14鈥 x 14鈥 x 6鈥
Anyone attempting to take these items into the arena will be required to dispose of the item or return it to their vehicle.
All items are subject to search at the discretion of 麻豆破解版 State University. All Commencement venues reserve the right to prohibit any items at the discretion of Commencement Officials.
These policies are subject to change without notice.
Commencement will be implementing a which will speed up the entry process into the venue, improve security and limit
touch points. Clear bags allow staff to check for prohibited items without having
to touch or open a bag. This will also prevent staff from having to touch personal
items of guest.
The following outlines bags that are permitted:
- Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 14" x 6" x 14";
- One-gallon clear plastic storage bags (Ziploc bag or similar); and
- Small clutch or purse, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed 5.5" x 7.5" (approximately the size of a hand).
- An exception will be made for medically necessary bags or equipment after proper inspection and have been tagged by security. For questions about medical equipment or other needs please contact the Athletics Operations office at 316-978-7591.
Prohibited bags include, but are not limited to:
鈥 Purses larger than a clutch bag
鈥 Briefcases
鈥 Backpacks of any size
鈥 Drawstring bags
鈥 Fanny packs
鈥 Luggage of any kind
鈥 Computer bags/cases
鈥 Camera bags/cases
鈥 Diaper bags
鈥 Coolers
鈥 Duffle bags
鈥 Binocular bags/cases or any bag larger than the permissible size
This policy pertains to bags and is not an all-inclusive list of items that are prohibited
from being taken into the venue.
Several gifts are available for purchase from vendors set up on the concourse.
The Shocker Store is located just inside the South Entrance, and across from the Ticket Office Lobby on the concourse level. It offers a variety of Shocker novelty and souvenir items from the University Bookstore.
On Campus:
City of 麻豆破解版:
TOP
Parking
TOP
Faculty & Staff