Commencement

Commencement Frequently Asked Questions

Please direct any commencement related questions to commencement@xavier.edu.

Yes. All guests over age 2 are required to have a ticket for our commencement ceremonies. Tickets are general admission seating. More details about ticketing processes will be available soon. Guests may begin arriving 90 minutes prior to the start of each ceremony.

No, we do not limit the number of guests who may attend. All guests over age 2 are required to have a ticket. Tickets are for general admission seating. Guests may begin arriving 90 minutes prior to the start of each ceremony.

Yes, children are welcome to attend the ceremonies. Children over age 2 must have a ticket. Please keep in mind that the undergraduate ceremony takes approximately 3 hours while the graduate ceremony takes approximately 2 hours.

Accessible seating is available on the main concourse and upper level of the arena. The seats are accessible by elevators and ramps from the concourse. Upon arrival, guests should notify one of the ushers, and they will direct or escort your party to the best available seating that fits your needs. In order to ensure the availability of accessible seating, only the guest(s) requiring accommodation and a companion may sit in the accessible seating area. These needs are typically handled on a first come, first served basis. Please remind your family and friends that arriving earlier is better.

For students with accessible seating or other needs, please email commencement@xavier.edu for assistance at least two weeks prior to the ceremony.

Employees and students who are interested in attending are welcome to attend the ceremonies. All employee and student guests require tickets and should enter the Cintas Center from the South Entrance.

Students can pre-order their cap and gown from the All for One Shop. Students can have their cap and gown sent to their preferred address or can pick-up in person at Grad Fair, the Book Depot, or the All for One Shop.

Graduates are permitted to wear regalia accessories like pins, cords, or stoles that they receive as part of participation in a Xavier University office or organization, affiliation with a national organization, or earned as Xavier student. University groups or office must register their accessories by emailing commencement@xavier.edu and must following university brand and purchasing protocols.

Actual diplomas are not distributed at the Commencement Ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed from the Registrar's Office to the student address on file in Banner Self-Service. This is expected to take place in mid-July.

Yes, Baccalaureate Mass takes place at 5pm on Friday in the Cintas Center. Students and guests attend and sit together. All seating is first-come, first-serve. No tickets are required.

Yes, all ceremonies are livestreamed. Links are available on the commencement homepage (xavier.edu/commencement) on the day of the ceremony.

Yes, we have professional photographers (Grad Images) on sight to capture key ceremony moments, including when graduates cross the stage and a portrait style photo. Grad Images will send communication to graduates shortly after the ceremony with information about ordering images.

You can contact Grad Images for questions about the individual photos of graduates crossing the stage and holding their diplomas. Grad Images has a large team of customer care representatives ready to help graduates and family members with anything you may need at (800) 261-2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net.

Yes, Cintas Center concessions are available for purchase before and during both ceremonies.

To ensure the safety of every guest, all persons, including graduates are subject to screening and bag check. No bags are permitted except for clear bags, small clutch purses, and diaper or medical bags. No water bottles are allowed. No broadcast style cameras are allowed in the arena. Strollers and umbrellas are permitted.For more information and a list of prohibited and approved bags, please visit GoXavier.com/ClearBag.

All graduates and guests go through a security screening upon entrance into the Cintas Center. Security and staff are present and engaged throughout the ceremony. Any security issues or event disruptions will be addressed swiftly and accordingly.

Yes, flowers are available for sale prior to each of our ceremonies on the South Concourse of the Cintas Center.

Balloons, air horns and noisemakers are not permitted. Banners, flags, and anything that obstructs sightlines are prohibited.

Honors are awarded on the basis of outstanding achievement only at the undergraduate level. For a bachelor’s degree, a student who has earned a quality point average of 3.900 to 4.000 in Xavier course work will be graduated summa cum laude; one who has earned 3.750 to 3.899, magna cum laude; one who has earned 3.500 to 3.749, cum laude. For an associate’s degree, a student who has earned a quality point average of 3.900 to 4.000 in Xavier course work will be graduated “with highest honor;” one who has earned 3.750 to 3.899 “with high honor;” one who has earned 3.500 to 3.749, “with honor.” These honors are inscribed on the student’s diploma and recorded on the student’s permanent academic record.

Transfer students with appropriate grade point averages are eligible for honors at graduation if they have completed at least 60 quality hours at Xavier University for a bachelor’s degree or at least 30 quality hours at Xavier University for an associate’s degree.

Honor cords may be worn by any student who graduates or participates in the May Commencement ceremony, if those honors were earned by the day of the ceremony.

Students who are eligible for honors cords should add the cords to their online order. Students can also purchase honor cords in person at the Book Depot, All for One Shop, or Grad Fair.

Information about graduating with honors is available on the Registrar's website. Students can verify their eligibility for honors cords by contacting XUReg@xavier.edu.

The honors listed in the program reflect a student's gpa as of the end of the fall semester. We recognize cumulative gpa may change by Commencement. Honors announced at the ceremony and printed on the diploma reflect honors earned as of the end of the spring semester.

Announcements may be purchased from the Jostens website.

Information about ordering class rings is available on the Jostens website.

Dress for the weekend is typically business casual. Graduates are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes. The Cintas arena can be chilly. Guests may appreciate a jacket or sweater.

Yes, students are welcome to decorate their caps. Please keep all designs and messaging respectful and appropriate. Indecent, profane or explicit content will not be permitted.

There is no rehearsal for graduates. There will be a large team of volunteers at the Cintas Center to assist graduates.

Graduates earning more than one degree will select which degree they would like to have announced during the ceremony. Graduates' names may only be announced once during commencement.