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Graduate Instructions

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College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences Convocation Instructions

Plan to attend the entire convocation ceremony out of respect for other graduates. We anticipate the ceremony will last two hours.

What to wear:

  • Academic regalia — Cap, gown, tassel
  • Professional clothing compliant with BYU Dress & Grooming Standards beneath your gown
  • Comfortable shoes — Doctoral and master's students, and undergraduates particularly in anthropology, economics, geography, psychology, and family life will have several stairs to ascend and descend during the processional, ceremony, and recessional.

Where to go:
Southeast corner of the Marriott Center — find your department sign

When to be there:
9:50 a.m., Friday, April 24

What to bring:
Your smartphone or watch with your Tassel Stage Pass downloaded (TIP: Add it to your digital wallet). Make sure your device is fully charged.

What NOT to bring:
Do NOT bring other personal belongings — there will be no place to put them because you will change seats during the ceremony. Any items left behind will be taken to the Marriott Center Lost and Found at the end of the ceremony. Also, please note that children — including babies — are not allowed on the main floor of the Marriott Center.

INSTRUCTIONS
9:50 a.m.
After you find your department sign at the SE corner of the Marriott Center:

  • Show your Tassel Stage Pass
  • Line up with other students in your department. You are welcome to line up in any order you wish within your department. 

10:55 a.m.
Processional

  • You will march with your department into the Marriott Center, so please stay with your department.
  • You will pass through the metal detectors, just as at all Marriott Center events
  • Valedictorians and bachelor graduates in the History, Political Science, and Sociology Departments will enter from the west tunnel.
  • Graduates in the Anthropology, Economics, Geography Departments will enter from the east tunnel. Master's and PhD students will also enter from the east tunnel.
  • Bachelor graduates in the Psychology Department will enter from the southwest stairs.
  • Bachelor graduates in the School of Family Life will enter from the southeast stairs.

After student speakers
Name reading and crossing the stage

  • Bring your phone with you.
  • You will not return to the same seat after crossing the stage so you must keep all personal belongings with you. Don’t bring anything you can’t fit in your pocket. Any items left behind will be taken to the Marriott Center Lost and Found at the end of the ceremony.
  • Zip your gown.
  • Be ready to show your Tassel Stage Pass when indicated. Once your stage pass has been scanned, do not change place in line. If you change line order after this point, your name will not be the name that is read when you cross the stage.
  • When in doubt, follow the ushers — they will guide you through the entire ceremony.
  • At the far side of the stage, you will receive a diploma cover. Diplomas will be mailed by the University 6–8 weeks after graduation.
  • There will be no professional photographer at the ceremony. There is a designated Family Photo area in sections 14 and 15 for family members to take pictures as you come off the stage. Give a very quick wave to mom and dad before picking up your diploma cover.
  • Respect appropriate decorum by being considerate of graduates. Do not use noisemakers that may disrupt the ceremony and interfere with the ability to hear the students’ names.

Approximately 1 p.m.
Recessional

  • Ushers will direct when you should stand and lead you out of the Marriott Center. You will exit the same way you entered.
  • Printed programs will be available as you exit the Marriott Center. Extra programs may be available at the north side of the Marriott Center (outside).
  • Meet your family and guests at the northeast side of the Marriott Center.

ACCOMMODATIONS
If you will need accommodations, please contact Liberal Arts Advisement and Careers (801.422.3541 or liberalarts_gradeval@byu.edu) as soon as possible prior to Convocation so we can assist you.

QUESTIONS
Contact Liberal Arts Advisement and Careers at 801.422.3541 or liberalarts_gradeval@byu.edu.

Info for Family & Guests