Commencement

Commencement Eligibility

To participate in commencement, you must be a degree candidate and one of the following:

• A recent graduate who did not participate in a prior ceremony
• A degree candidate who expects to complete all degree requirements including internships or student teaching at the end of the current semester
• A degree candidate who plans to complete requirements in the winterim or summer terms and wishes to participate in the May or December ceremony preceding or following completion of the degree.

Exceptions to these requirements are considered for extraordinary circumstances, and subject to space availability. Please see the Commencement Petition to Walk Early form for details regarding exceptions.

Participation in commencement without permission is considered academic misconduct and subject to disciplinary action.

Requests to attend an alternate ceremony should be directed to the Office of the Registrar at 608.342.1321.

Ceremony Broadcasts

The commencement ceremony will be broadcast online via streaming video. Access the live stream on the day of the ceremony from anywhere.

Undergraduate Honors

Degree candidates who have a minimum grade point average of 3.50 or higher and 48 or more credits in residence prior to the term in which they intend to graduate will be recognized during the ceremony.

Undergraduate students whose cumulative grade point average is between 3.50 and 3.74 graduate Magna Cum Laude while undergraduate students whose cumulative grade point average is between 3.75 and 4.00 graduate Summa Cum Laude. Students walking early by petition will not have honors recognition.

Qualifying degree candidates may pick up an honor cord in the Registrar's Office the week before commencement. If you are unable to pick up your cord, it will be available in the line-up area. Graduation honors posted on transcripts will be calculated once all coursework is graded and degree requirements are completed.

Students, please make certain that you have taken care of the following:

1. Master’s candidates need to pay a $50 graduation fee. Bachelor’s degree candidates were already assessed a $50 senior fee. The graduation or senior fee is not a commencement fee; it does not include cap and gown fees.
2. Clear all financial obligations with the University including the library, housing, Business Office, Markee Pioneer Student Center, Textbook Center, NDLS/Perkins Loan Office and Financial Aid Office.
3. Read the Commencement Apparel information. Caps, gowns and personalized announcements are ordered through the University Bookstore or during Countdown to Commencement. Orders for commencement attire are needed by the end of March or October for the respective semester ceremony to avoid a late fee. Specific deadlines will be provided at Countdown to Commencement. Tassels are also available for purchase. The University Bookstore is the official provider of graduation announcements and those may be purchased year-round. If you have any questions, contact the University Bookstore at 608.342.1486.
4. Your application for graduation/intent to graduate form requested a mailing address for your diploma and a copy of your final transcript. Students will receive the original diploma within approximately 12 weeks of the close of the semester after a review of academic credentials is completed, and diplomas are ordered. If you need to change your diploma mailing address, please contact the Office of the Registrar at 608.342.1321.

Prior to Commencement

When you order your cap and gown, you will be provided dates for pick-up which is normally one to two weeks prior to the day of the commencement ceremony. Pick up your cap and gown at the University Bookstore in the Markee Pioneer Student Center. Check your tassel color in the apparel section. Students with majors from more than one discipline must choose which color tassel to wear at commencement. Master’s degree candidates should have a black tassel. Only one tassel may be worn.

Commencement is a university ceremony which recognizes academic achievement. Academic apparel is required for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville graduation ceremony. Official attire is ordered through the University Bookstore. Academic attire from third party providers may vary in quality, style, and color.

At UW-Platteville, both undergraduate and graduate students wear black robes and black mortarboard caps. All undergraduate students wear a tassel with a color identifying their academic field of study.

Graduate students receiving a master’s degree wear a black tassel on the left side of the mortarboard. Undergraduates wear their tassels on the right side of the mortarboard. It is suggested that students choose shoes and other articles of visible apparel that will harmonize with their academic gowns.

Undergraduate Honors

Undergraduate students who have completed 48 or more credits at UW-Platteville and who have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher wear gold honor cords. The honor cords are provided by the Office of the Registrar to eligible students.

International Study

Undergraduate international students may wear an international flag stole. This stole is white and features the flag of the student’s home country (right side) and the American flag (left side).

UW-Platteville undergraduate students who have spent a full semester in an academic program studying in an international location may wear an international sash. This sash features the colors of the flag of the international location where a student has studied. Eligible students purchase these sashes through the University Bookstore.

Student Organizations, Honor Organizations or Campus Programs

Students who have qualified for membership in registered student organizations, honor organizations, or campus programs, for example the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, during their studies at UW-Platteville may wear approved cords, stoles, sashes or pins. Gold cords are reserved for university honors and may not be used for other purposes.

Additional information, including an application form for organizations requesting approval for regalia, may be found in PioneerLink. Applications must be submitted no later than thirty days prior to commencement. A sub-committee appointed by the university commencement committee will review the request and the applicant will be notified of the decision.

Multiple Sashes and Stoles

Students may wear only one standard size stole or sash. If a student is eligible to wear both cords and a stole or sash, the student may wear both.

Master's Hood

During the UW-Platteville commencement ceremony, students earning master’s degrees are “hooded.” Master’s degree candidates carry their hoods over their right arms during the processional. The University does not provide the master’s hoods. Students should purchase the hood at the University Bookstore early in the semester in which they plan to graduate.

Tassel Colors