ARRIVAL TIME AND ASSEMBLY OF CANDIDATES
Candidates should arrive at the O’Keefe Complex promptly at 1:30 pm. Late arrivals may not be admitted to commencement activities. If candidates need to leave the arena after checking in, they must show the index card and a hand stamp for re-entry. Check-in will take place at the main entrance of the Gassett Fitness and Recreation Center. Commencement staff will assist the candidates with lining up in the Twohig Gymnasium and will guide them to the seating area on the rink floor. There is no secure storage for personal belongings at the O’Keefe Complex, so please plan accordingly.
IMPORTANT!
At check-in candidates will receive a colored 3 x 5” index card with a number. Keep this card with you at all times. The card will be presented on stage just prior to the announcement of your degree. It is also important that once candidates are placed in order in the gym by commencement staff, the candidates must remain in that position. Because students’ names will be called in the order of the student lines, failure to maintain the correct place in line or present the card on stage will disrupt the orderly procession of students across the stage. Staying in order in the student lines will help family and guests follow the program to see when their student’s name will be called. Once a student has presented their card on stage, their name will be called and the student will proceed across the stage to be congratulated by a university academic leader and professionally photographed.
DIPLOMAS
Students who have completed their degrees in May 2023 will receive their actual diploma by mail during the summer following the ceremony to allow for all academic honors and requirements from the Spring term to be credited. For information on diploma delivery schedules, visit salemstate.edu/graduation.
GUEST TICKET REMINDERS • The unique bar code on each ticket allows only one entry to the event. The first copy of an e-ticket (if there are multiple copies made) to arrive at the event will gain entry after scanning and validation. If additional copies of a ticket are presented, that individual will be denied entry. • Tickets are non-replaceable if lost or stolen and should be handled as you would any other valuable or cash. In addition, the sale of commencement tickets is prohibited.
• Tickets need to be printed in actual size and only one ticket on an 8.5” x 11” piece of paper. • If you try to shrink/enlarge the ticket size the barcode will not scan at the door and it will delay your entry to the venue.
Commencement 2023
• For best results, please print tickets on white paper using sufficient toner to avoid delays in scanning your tickets.
Information for Graduate and Undergraduate Degree Candidates of
DECORUM
We ask for your cooperation before, during and after the ceremony in helping us to present a program to your family and friends of which we can all be proud. Please remain in your seats until the ceremony is concluded.
College of Arts and Sciences and Bertolon School of Business
HONORS DESIGNATION Honors cords will be distributed at commencement check-in to undergraduate seniors graduating with a cumulative grade point average of 3.300 or higher as of the end of the spring 2022 term and who will have earned at least 60 credits in residence at Salem State University by the end of the spring 2023 term. For a complete description of the honors categories, please visit our academic catalog and review the academic policies section of the catalog.
SECURITY MEASURES
Every guest entering the facility must have an admission ticket. For the safety and security of everyone, please be aware that all bags are subject to inspection prior to admittance. Small purses are permitted once checked by security personnel. However, items such as bags, backpacks, briefcases, laptop computers and tablets, balloons, strollers, baby carriers, baby car seats, and wrapped packages of any kind are prohibited. Other than bottled water, food and beverages are prohibited. Anyone carrying prohibited items will be turned away. There is no secure storage for personal belongings at the O’Keefe Complex, so please plan accordingly.
PHOTOGRAPHY A commercial photographer with a special high-speed camera will take two pictures of each student, 1) posed, prior to them crossing the stage, and 2) on the stage with the University President or Provost. For more information, contact Grad Images, the professional photographer on site, at (800) 261-2576, online at gradimages.com, or by email at ecc.giservice@gradimages.net with any questions. No private photographers will be allowed on the floor or near the stage.
TOBACCO
Please be aware that since September 2011, Salem State University is a tobacco-free campus.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Share your graduation excitement – join the conversation at #SalemState23.
STAY CONNECTED TO THE SALEM STATE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER: #SALEMSTATE23
Degree candidates and guests with commencement tickets will be able to park in all available university parking lots. Prior to coming to the ceremony, please review the commencement parking map.
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS 352 LAFAYETTE STREET SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970
PARKING
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 130 SALEM, MA
ON THE DAY OF COMMENCEMENT
For your reference, please keep this resource available. Final clearance for graduation comes in an email from the registrar’s office. This brochure is sent to students who apply to graduate.
QUESTIONS?
Visit: salemstate.edu/commencement Email: commencement@salemstate.edu Call: 978.542.GRAD (4723)
#SalemState23