Rollins
Parents & Families

Commencement 2024 Frequently Asked Questions

Participation List

Students can check the participation link to make sure they are registered to graduate. If your name is not on the link, please contact Stephanie Henning in the Registrar's Office.

    ADA/Special Accommodations

    How do I reserve seating for my guests requiring seating accommodations?

    General Admission tickets are for bleacher seats. If you have a guest who has mobility issues, cannot climb stairs, or requires wheelchair access, please fill out the following survey.

    CLA Ceremony - If a student or guest requires seating accommodations for Sunday, May 12, 2024, please fill out this survey. Please note that the seating accommodations area requires a special ticket and cannot be accessed with a general admission ticket.


    Holt Ceremony - If a student or guest requires seating accommodations for Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 2 p.m., please fill out this survey. No tickets are required for the Holt Ceremony.


    Crummer Ceremony - Graduates can reserve special seating for themselves or their guests by emailing emailing Ann Ketteringham at aketteringha@rollins.edu.

    I have ADA parking accommodations; do I need a special parking pass?

    Those requiring special accommodations in dropping guests off at the venue should enter at Park Avenue, come down Holt Avenue, then turn left on Chase Avenue. Staff will direct you into the Alfond Sports Center lot for drop off. Guests who require handicap accessible parking should enter at Park Avenue and you will be provided a special parking pass. If you receive the pass, you will proceed East on Holt Avenue and be directed to the parking between the Museum and the loading dock of the Alfond Sports Center.

    Will a sign language interpreter be available for the ceremonies?

    There will be a sign language interpreter at each ceremony. The interpreter will be projected onto the screen during each ceremony.

    General Information

    What are the dates and times for each commencement ceremony?

    All ceremonies will take place on campus in the Warden Arena.

    College of Liberal Arts - Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 10 a.m.

    Holt School - Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 2 p.m.

    Crummer - Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 9 a.m.

    How long is the commencement ceremony?

    Holt and Crummer - Please plan for 1.5 hours for these ceremonies.
    CLA - The Class of 2024 is a large class so please plan on 2 to 2.5 hours for this ceremony. The doors will open 1 hour before each ceremony. Guests should expect that it might take at least 20 minutes to park and walk to the Gym. Please plan accordingly.

    Will there be a graduation rehearsal?

    CLA Students - There will be a mandatory graduation rehearsal for CLA students participating in Commencement on Friday, May 10, 2024 at 4pm in Knowles Memorial Chapel.

    Holt Students - There is no rehearsal for Holt students.

    Crummer Students - Please see the Crummer information below.

    Are there any events for graduating CLA and Holt Undergraduate Seniors?

    CLA and Holt Undergraduate Seniors - Yes! Visit the Senior Engagement website graduation events.

    Crummer - Please see the Crummer information below.

    Where can I order announcements and rings?

    Announcements and rings can be ordered at www.jostens.com.

    Is anyone taking photos during the commencement ceremony?

    Rollins has contracted with GradImages to take photographs of the graduates during each commencement ceremony. The company will contact the graduates regarding purchasing photographs after the ceremony.

    When will we get our photos from the ceremony? Is there a cost associated?

    You will receive a piece of paper the day of Commencement with details for ordering from GradImages and can purchase accordingly.

    Where do I pick up cords?

    Cords are picked up before commencement in the department and/or student organization from which they are awarded. They will not be available for pick up the day of commencement.

    I’m graduating with honors. Where do I get my tassel?

    CLA students graduating with Latin honors can pick up their tassel when they pick up commencement tickets or at the mandatory graduation rehearsal on Friday, May 10, 2024.

    Holt students graduating with Latin honors can pick up their tassels in the Registrar’s Office before commencement or in the Chapel the day of their commencement ceremony.

    Crummer students graduating with honors (cumulative GPA of 3.85 or higher) will receive their honors tassel at check-in the morning of commencement.

    Lodging Information

    Please visit this website for lodging information for out-of-town guests.

    Post-Graduation Reception for Holt and CLA Students

    All Holt and CLA commencement participants and guests are invited to a reception in the Rice Family Pavilion to continue the celebrations of your accomplishments with fellow graduates, staff and faculty. Light food and beverages will be provided.
    Holt - May 11, 2024 - directly after the ceremony
    CLA - May 12, 2024 - directly after the ceremony

    Will commencement be recorded/streamed?

    Yes, each ceremony will be live-streamed and posted to https://www.rollins.edu/commencement

    Spanish Translation of Ceremonies

    There will be headphones available for all 3 ceremonies for guests who would like real-time Spanish translation of the ceremony. The headphones will be available the day of the ceremony. Please let a volunteer know when you enter Warden Arena.

    Items not permitted

    Air horns, champagne bottles, beach balls, etc., are not permitted during the commencement ceremony.

    When will Baccalaureate be held?

    Baccalaureate is a nondenominational service honoring the CLA Class of 2024 where students from each faith reflect on their time at Rollins. This service is open to CLA students and their families. Join us on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 6pm in Knowles Memorial Chapel for this special ceremony. Please visit the Baccalaureate page for more information.

    Regalia

    Where can I order/pick up my regalia?

    Students must have regalia in order to participate in commencement ceremonies. The deadline to order regalia is March 1, 2024. If you missed the deadline, please stop by the bookstore during regular business hours or email Mary Vitelli. Regalia will be available for pick up in the Bookstore starting April 24, 2024.

    Tickets

    How many tickets does each student receive?

    For the College of Liberal Arts ceremony on Sunday, May 12, 2024, each student who plans to attend commencement, and who completes the post-graduation survey, will receive four (4) tickets for guests. Students who are not participating in commencement are not eligible for tickets.

    The Holt School and Crummer Graduate School ceremonies on Saturday, May 11, 2024, will not be ticketed.

    The Center for Career & Life Planning will send an email to all 2024 CLA & Holt graduating seniors in April to complete the post-graduation survey. The survey takes five minutes or less to complete, and the information is kept confidential.

    IMPORTANT: General Admission tickets will be located in the bleachers of Warden Arena. If you have a guest that requires seating accommodations (can't climb stairs, wheelchair access, mobility issues), please visit the ADA/Special Accommodations section below. The seating accommodations area requires a special ticket.

    I'm a CLA student. How do I pick up tickets?

    There are 3 ways to pick up tickets.

    1. Ticket Kick-Off Event
    Thursday, May 2, 2024 from 12pm-4pm
    Center for Career & Life Planning, Kathleen W. Rollins Hall (1st floor)

    Complete the Post-Graduation Survey (will be emailed in April to the student’s @Rollins.edu address).

    Students graduating with Latin honors will receive their honors tassel when they pick up tickets.

    Learn more about alumni resources, receive alumni swag, and make a gift to the Rollins Annual Fund to receive a donor recognition cord.

    Share your Success Story picture and enjoy refreshments to go!

    Students must pick up their individual tickets and an ID will be required.

    2. Regular Pick up - Friday, May 3 and the Week of May 6-10, 2024
    Students who are unable to attend the Kick-Off event can collect their tickets on Friday, May 3, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. as well as during the week of May 6-10, 2024. Pickup times during the week are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, May 10, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ticket pickup will be available on the first floor of Kathleen W. Rollins Hall. Students must pick up their individual tickets and an ID will be required.

    3. Will Call
    For students unable to pick up tickets before commencement, their tickets will be available for family members/guests to collect at Will Call on the day of the event inside Warden Arena.

    Can I purchase additional tickets for the CLA ceremony?

    Since we are offering 4 tickets per participating graduate, the Warden Arena will be at capacity and we will not be offering additional tickets. There will be overflow seating available for non-ticketed guests in the Bush Auditorium to view the livestream of the ceremony.

    If another student isn’t going to use all their tickets, are they allowed to give them to other students?

    Each student must pick up their unique tickets, who they give them to is up to them. Only students participating in the ceremony will receive tickets. An ID will be required to pick up tickets.

    Where do I take the post-graduation survey?

    Two weeks before commencement, the Post-Graduation Survey for 2024 CLA & Holt will be sent out via email from the Center for Career & Life Planning and will be available on Handshake (under the First-Destination Survey tab).

    Does a toddler need a ticket?

    A toddler on someone’s lap will not require a ticket. This applies to young toddlers and infants only (age 3 and under).

    I’m a Holt student and have already received my diploma and cover. Do we still need to take the one on stage?

    Yes, you'll want to take it for the photo!

    Parking

    Where should students/guests park the day of their ceremony?

    The Rollins Garage on Campus or the Truist Garage located across the street at 131 E. Comstock Avenue, Winter Park, 32789. Parking in both garages will be free on the day of Commencement. Guests should expect that it might take at least 20 minutes to park and walk to the Gym. Please plan accordingly. Please review the parking map.

    Commencement Attire for Graduates

    Is regalia required to participate in Commencement?

    All students are required to wear regalia during the ceremony.

    While we are seated, can we take off the robes and only wear them when we walk to the stage/cross it/return to seats?

    We ask that all students keep his/her robes on for the duration of the event.

    Can I decorate my cap?

    Caps may be decorated for graduation. We request that any decoration be suitable for the importance of the occasion. We reserve the right to ask students to remove any decoration that might be deemed offensive.

    Can I wear pins, cords, and stoles?

    Pins, cords, and stoles representing academic honor societies, cultural organizations, and student leadership and service organizations, if the organization is registered at Rollins.

    Can I wear a custom stole that has my academic honor societies and my country flag?

    Yes.

    Crummer Graduation Informtion

    The information below is for Crummer Students Only

    Crummer Pre-Commencement Events

    Friday, May 10, 2024 in the Rice Family Pavilion

    • Pre-Graduation Reception for Crummer: 5:00pm – 6:00pm
    • Crummer Oath: 6:00pm – 6:45pm
    • Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) Induction Ceremony: 7:00pm – 7:30pm

    All Crummer graduates and their guests are invited to attend these events to celebrate their accomplishments with fellow graduates, staff, and faculty. Light food and drinks will be provided.

    Regalia

    Crummer MBA graduates will purchase their own regalia through the Rollins Bookstore. The deadline to order regalia is March 1, 2024. Regalia will be available for pick up in the Bookstore starting April 24, 2024.

    Crummer EDBA students will have their regalia ordered on their behalf and will be available for pick up in the Bookstore starting April 24, 2024. EDBA students wishing to purchase their own doctoral set can do so through the Rollins Bookstore.

    Hoods for Crummer Students

    Crummer Masters & Doctorate graduates will receive and be hooded on stage during the commencement ceremony.

    Honors Tassel

    Students graduating with honors will receive their honors tassel at check-in the morning of commencement.

    Crummer Attire

    Professional attire is recommended for students to wear under regalia. Graduates will march together during the procession from Crummer to the Alfond Sports Center, so it is highly advised that graduates wear comfortable footwear.

    ADA Seating Accommodations

    Crummer graduates can reserve special seating for themselves or their guests by emailing Ann Ketteringham at aketteringha@rollins.edu.

    General Information

    How long is the commencement ceremony?

    Crummer – Please plan for 1.5 hours for the ceremony.

    Tickets

    Tickets will not be required for the Crummer Commencement ceremony.