FAQs for Baccalaureate Ceremony

Baccalaureate Commencement candidate smiling

Get Your Questions Answered

There are a lot of details to keep track of as commencement approaches. Here are some answers to a few common questions that we hope will help. If your question is not addressed here, Eligibility questions can be directed to the Registrar's Office, records@ric.edu and questions about the ceremony can be directed to the Commencement Office, commencement@ric.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Saturday, May 11 at 10 a.m. at the Amica Mutual Pavilion, Providence, RI. Doors will open at 7:45 a.m.

Order your Commencement regalia online.

You can still order your regalia for Home Delivery until April 5th. You may also purchase regalia at RIC's Official Bookstore beginning April 3rd. 

Hours

Monday-Thursday 10 - 4
Friday 10 - 2

Graduates may obtain up to 6 tickets at Grad Fest.  Information about additional tickets will be available after Grad Fest via this website and through your RIC email. Stay Tuned!

Tickets

You can pick up your 6 tickets on campus at the box office in the lobby of Sapinsley Hall in the Nazarian Center from April 8 - 19.  The box office is opened Monday-Friday 10am-4pm.

Information about additional tickets will be available after Grad Fest via this website and through your RIC email. Stay Tuned!

Cap and Gown

You may purchase your regalia (cap and gown) at the RIC Official Bookstore beginning April 3rd. 

Hours

Monday -Thursday: 10 am–4 pm
Friday: 9 am–2 pm

Please be there no later than 8:15 am. Enter on the West Exchange Street side, at the lower level of the Amica Mutual Pavilion. Signs will be posted to direct you to the correct location. The procession will begin at 9:30 am promptly and the ceremony at 10 am.

All graduates are required to stay for the length of the ceremony. We expect the ceremony to last approximately 2 hours with a meet and greet opportunity following in the concourse. With a start time of 10 am, you can plan your post celebrations confidently any time after 1 pm. Please allow time for traffic delays leaving the city. 

Parking is available in two garages adjacent to the Rhode Island Convention Center (RICC) and next to the Amica Mutual Pavilion. Both are located on West Exchange Street and parking is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Amica Mutual Pavilion provides additional information on directions and parking.

Please call 401-456-8900 or email commencement@ric.edu. The Amica Mutual Pavilion offers convenient facilities and features for persons with disabilities. Please contact the commencement office or Disability Services at 401-456- 2776 for further information on registering guests. You may also see a customer service representative for assistance during the event.  Wheelchair accessible locations are in sections – 101, 104, 106, 110, 120, 124, and 126. The pavilion has asked that we continue to keep track of those needing services. Candidates who require accommodations for disability please contact 401-456-8900.

Only those attending the Commencement ceremony will receive tickets. Acceptance of tickets indicates you are registering to attend the ceremony.

Yes, you may. Those eligible to participate include those graduates who have completed their coursework in the Fall of 2023 or those who will complete in May of 2024. Summer 2024 grads may also participate if they are registered to complete all course requirements throughout the summer sessions and have less than 9 credits to complete. If you graduated in the Summer of 2023 and did not participate in last year's ceremony and would like to attend this May, please contact the Commencement Office. Commencement@ric.edu or call 401-456-8900.        

 

Students may walk if they are within 9 credits of completing their graduation requirements in the summer. Students walking in the May ceremony, but finishing in the summer, will be August graduates. Students registered for fall classes will walk in the 2025 ceremony.

Commencement is an official convocation and ceremony of the college. Regalia (cap and gown) is required for participation.

Diploma size for all undergraduates is 8" X 10".

 

Diplomas will be mailed approximately 4–6 weeks after the graduation date.

All diplomas are mailed from the vendor 4–6 weeks after the ceremony. The diplomas are not mailed directly from the Registrar's Office. 

To be considered for Latin Honors you must have a minimum of 54 earned credits at Rhode Island College and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25. GPAs of 3.25 - 3.59 will graduate Cum Laude (white cord); 3.60 - 3.84 will graduate Magna Cum Laude (burgundy); and 3.85 - 4.0 will graduate Summa Cum Laude (gold cord). Latin Honor Cords will be given out Friday, May 10 during the Senior Brunch in Donovan Dining. If you are not able to come to campus that day, your cord will be held for you at the AMP. Honor cords are for baccalaureate candidates. 

Yes.

For safety and security for all our guests, only the graduate will be allowed and cleared to cross the stage.

Attend one of the Career Center's upcoming Job & Internship Fairs in the Student Union Ballroom.

Register on Handshake to see a list of participating employers!

Rhode Island College entrance

Contact Us

Commencement Office

The Commencement Office works to ensure that our graduates, their families, and our campus community enjoys a memorable ceremony and celebration that is student-centered and family oriented.