Commencement

Commencement 2023

Commencement will take place at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 18 on the Oval Green on the OSU-Cascades campus.

Eligibility for Graduation

Eligible students include: students who graduated summer 2022, fall 2022 and winter 2023, and students who are planning on graduating spring 2023 and summer 2023.

RSVP Required to Walk: By June 4

Students are required to RSVP in order to "walk" in the Commencement ceremony. On the day of the ceremony, students who have RSVP'd must check-in, and are then guided to line up within their academic program/major, and will be seated by program/major at the venue. RSVP is now closed.

Tickets Required for Guests. Tickets per Student Limited.

In early May, OSU-Cascades will make available tickets for students who have successfully RSVP'd, so that they can give them to family and/or friends who plan to attend.  Each graduate will be provided 8 tickets. A hard copy ticket must be presented at the ceremony entrance in order for a guest to gain access to the venue. Watch your OSU email for the ticket availability date.

Planning Timeline

• April 16 (approx.) - Commencement invitation with RSVP mailed to eligible students.
• April 19 - Graduation regalia (cap and gown) website live on OSU Beaver Store.
• May 17 - Preliminary grades posted for spring graduates (OSU classes only, COCC classes not included)
• Week of June 1 -  Confirmation sent to ONID emails of students who RSVP'd for Commencement Ceremony. If you do not receive an email by June 3 and believe you should have, contact Enrollment Services right away at 541-322-3100 or commencement@osucascades.edu.
• June 4 - Last day to RSVP to participate in Commencement Ceremony.

DAY OF COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

• 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. - Arrive at 8:30 for graduates' check-in.
• 9 a.m. - Gates open for guests.
• 10 a.m. - Ceremony begins

Degrees with Distinction

High achieving undergraduate students are recognized through the posting of academic distinction to transcript and diploma. Grade-point averages are computed on the basis of all work attempted at OSU. At the end of each term, after final grades are posted, the academic distinction will be evaluated and posted to transcripts and diplomas. Graduates who have completed at least 90 credits at OSU or 60 upper-division credits at OSU, and who have an OSU cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, are awarded an OSU degree with distinction as follows:

Students who meet the criteria above can purchase commencement honor cords at the OSU Beaver Store.
For more information visit Earning a Degree at Oregon State University.

Minor or Major Option/Concentration

If you have earned a minor or your major has an option/concentration, it will appear on your official transcript, but does not appear on your diploma or in a commencement program.

Cap and Gown (Regalia)

Order from the OSU Beaver Bookstore. Be sure to have your order delivered to your local address. Order early to allow plenty of time for your regalis to arrive prior to Commencement.

Graduation Announcements

Announcements are available at Jostens. Be sure to select the announcement designated for OSU-Cascades.

Prepare for the Ceremony

Because of the complex nature of the Commencement event, students cannot join on the day of without a prior RSVP.

• Students who have not RSVP'd will not be able to walk in the ceremony.
• Students who have RSVP'd should arrive at Bruckner Courtyard, in regalia, promptly at 8:30 a.m. to allow time for check-in and assembly of graduates, faculty and dignitaries in the proper order for the processional to the ceremony venue.

Ceremony Instructions

Review ceremony instructions on this webpage before June 18.

Preliminary Grades

Commencement is held the Sunday following the conclusion of finals week. Final grades for courses required to meet degree requirements for spring graduates will not be available by this time. However, we strive to provide diplomas to all graduating students at commencement. To this end:

• The Office of the Registrar collects preliminary grades for pending graduates during the 6th week of the term.
• Preliminary grades are used to review students' degree requirements.
• Pending spring term graduates who meet degree requirements based on a preliminary review will receive a diploma at the Commencement event.
• Students who do not meet requirements during the preliminary review may attend the ceremony, but will receive a letter in their diploma case that states their diploma is pending final review.
• Note: If you are a spring graduate taking COCC classes during spring term that are required to complete your degree requirements, your diploma will not be available at commencement.

Ceremony Event Parking

Visit Location and Parking page for designated parking for graduates and guests.

Dogs

Dogs are not permitted on the Oval Green, the ceremony venue, on June 18.

Balloons

Balloons are not allowed as they obstruct guests and family members' views.

Bag Searches

Campus Security may conduct bag searches at the event.

Drones

Drones are not permitted on the OSU-Cascades campus for this event, except those approved for use by the OSU-Cascades Community Relations and Marketing Office.

Water Bottles

To support sustainability efforts, graduates and guests are encouraged to bring personal, filled water bottles. Water stations will not be available at the event site.

Concessions

Food and beverage sales will not be available, but there are many restaurants near campus.

Photography

GradImages, the official commencement photographer, will photograph each graduate as they cross the stage. Be sure to pre-register for your images prior to the ceremony. After Commencement, you can view photos at gradimages.com. GradImages will email photo proofs within 24 hours of the ceremony.