Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I park?
Free parking is available in all Hamline University lots and on most area streets.
View the campus map that shows the location of parking lots and the ceremony site
There is handicapped parking available in all lots, permits not required. A shuttle service with golf carts will also be available.
Where will the ceremonies take place?
The ceremonies are held on Old Main Mall. The Bush Library steps act as the stage, faculty and graduates are seated directly in front of the steps. There is additional seating to either sides of the faculty and graduates for families and guests. Bleachers are located behind the ground seating.
How long will the ceremonies last?
Each ceremony is different lengths, but will typically last between 1 1/2 and 2 hours, with a reception to follow the ceremony. The undergraduate and graduate receptions will be held in the Anderson Center. *NOTE: If the law ceremony is moved to the Alternate Ceremony site, the reception will be in the School of Law lobby.
How early should I arrive for my ceremony?
Graduating students must line up one hour prior to their respective ceremony in the lower level of Walker Fieldhouse. For guests, seating is on a first come-first serve basis. Please arrive as you see fit to accommodate your seating needs.
What if it rains?
For all commencement ceremonies, Hutton Arena (1569 Hewitt Ave, Saint Paul, MN) will serve as the alternate ceremony site should weather or safety be a concern. For the undergraduate ceremony, tickets will be enforced at the alternate ceremony site. Please plan accordingly. The law and graduate ceremonies will not require tickets should it be moved to the Alternate Ceremony.
For updated information regarding ceremony location, continue to check the Commencement Weekend website or call 651-523-5555 (starting May 17 at 3 p.m. and May 18 from 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.).
Do I need a ticket?
If you are a graduating student, you do not need a ticket to participate in your commencement ceremony.
Do my guests need a ticket?
For the outdoor location (Old Main Mall), tickets are only required in the “accessible seating” area (see below). Tickets are not needed for the general guest seating, and there is no limit to the number of guests a graduate may invite. For the alternate ceremony site (Hutton Arena), tickets ARE required for the undergraduate ceremony only (law and graduate ceremonies do not require tickets for alternate ceremony site). Please see the Alternate Site/Ceremony Tickets page for more information.
What if my guests need accessible seating?
Guests needing accessible seating should have their graduating student reserve tickets for the accessible seating area. There are a limited number of tickets available for this area. If there are any questions, please contact the commencement planners at commencement@hamline.edu.
How much does commencement cost?
The only cost associated with the commencement ceremony is to receive your academic regalia. There are other costs that include photographs, graduation announcements, class rings, etc., but those costs are not essential to participate in the commencement ceremony. Guests do not need to pay to attend the ceremony.
May I take photographs during the ceremony?
Guests should follow the directions for picture taking found in the Commencement ceremony program. Hamline also works with Grad Images to take photographs of each graduate as they receive their diploma. Proofs of these photographs will be sent to the graduates and prints will be available to order. For more information on this service, call Grad Images at 1-800-261-2576 or visit their website at www.gradimages.com.
Will I get my diploma during commencement?
Undergraduate and graduate students: Diplomas for all students are scheduled to be mailed out in July. If students finish required courses during the summer, the diploma mail date will be later.
Law graduates: Diplomas for all law graduates will be ordered at the conclusion of the academic year - after spring term grades are in and final rankings have been computed. Diplomas are expected to arrive mid-August.
How will I ensure my name is pronounced correctly?
All undergraduates should attend Senior Day, March 8, 2013, where you will be able to indicate any special pronunciation for the ceremony. If you are unable to attend Senior Day, contact the Registrar's Office at 651-523-3000 or send them an email. All grad and law students should contact the dean's office of their school.
Is there assistance for graduates with special needs?
Yes. Please contact Kathy McGillivray in Disability Resources with this information or by phone 651-523-2521.
Are there refreshments available?
Yes. Beverages and light snacks will be sold by Dining Services before, during, and after the ceremonies. Also, there are receptions following all the ceremonies.
What if I have a medical emergency during the ceremony?
We have contracted with Red Cross medical services to provide two paramedics and an ambulance on-site the day of the ceremonies. Ushers and security staff are notified during their training session of the proper procedures for emergency situations.
Will Hamline send me information about Commencement Weekend?
Yes. The Commencement 2013 brochure will be mailed to all graduates at their Hamline mail box or current address in early March. If your address has changed or will be changing before March, please update your address information in Piperline.
How do I order graduation announcements?
Undergraduate: Personalized or general announcements may be purchased at Senior Day, on Friday, March 8. Personalized orders not done at Senior Day may be done online at Herff Jones or at 952-447-4449. All questions and concerns regarding announcements should be directed to Herff Jones. General (non-personalized) announcements are available in the Hamline University Bookstore. Contact the Hamline University Bookstore for more information at 651-523-2270.
Graduate: Orders for official personalized Hamline University graduation announcements may be submitted online ONLY to Herff-Jones. Graduates and families are able to order personalized announcements until approximately two weeks AFTER Commencement. General (non-personalized) announcements are available in the Hamline University Bookstore, 651-523-2270.
Law: School of Law graduation announcements are available from Herff Jones, 952-447-4449.
Is academic regalia required to participate in the commencement ceremony?
Yes, all ceremonies require graduates to wear their respective cap, gown and hood (for master’s or doctorate degrees).
How do I order my academic regalia (cap and gown)?
Undergraduate: Deadline – Monday, April 22, 2013. You will be able to pick up and pay for your cap and gown at Senior Day on Friday, March 8, 2013 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
If you are unable to attend Senior Day, you need to place your order with Herff Jones-952-447-4449.
If you are ordering after April 22, you must contact the Hamline University Bookstore at 651-523-2270.
Graduate: Deadline – Monday, April 22, 2013. All orders should be placed online with Herff Jones. All online orders must be paid for at the time of order, and will be shipped to the student's address of choice. If you do not order until after the deadline, you will need to contact the Hamline University Bookstore directly at 651-523-2270.
Law: Deadline – April 11, 2013. A Herff-Jones representative will be on campus to take measurements and place orders for regalia on February 19, 2013. Regalia may also be ordered online at the Herff-Jones web site. Late orders may be placed by calling Herff-Jones directly at 952-447-4449. **PLEASE NOTE: you will be charged late fees for orders received after April 11, 2013. Student pick-up is scheduled for Thursday, May 16 from 3 - 6 p.m. in the Peterson (Circular) lounge.
For all academic regalia questions, please contact Herff-Jones at 952-447-4449 or the Hamline University Bookstore at 651-523-2270.
Does Hamline University have an official class ring?
Yes, the Associations of Hamline Alumni has designed a ring, available through Herff-Jones, for all graduates. Contact Herff Jones at 952-447-4449.
What is Baccalaureate?
Baccalaureate is a formal, multi-faith ceremony to bless our graduates as they leave Hamline University. The service is led by multi-faith clergy, and will feature faculty, staff and students. The ceremony will be held Saturday, May 19, from 9:00 a.m. at the Hamline Church, 1514 Englewood Avenue. Caps and gowns are not worn for this event. All graduates and their families are encouraged to attend this special ceremony.
How do I know if I receive Latin honors (for undergraduates only)?
Students who have at least 60 credits graded on an A-F scale and meet the following overall GPA requirements may graduate with honors: 3.50 - 3.74 - cum laude; 3.75 - 3.89 - magna cum laude; 3.9 and above - summa cum laude. Please note that final GPA calculation will not occur until all grades have been submitted and finalized. Graduates receiving honors will be given a gold tassel at the line-up location the morning of Commencement.
What is the Graduation Appreciation Program (GAP)?
The printed Commencement program will include a section for graduates to list those they wish to thank. GAP submissions are due Sunday, April 21, 2013. Due to publication deadlines, no late submissions will be accepted. Click here to visit the GAP page.
Where can I buy my graduate a Hamline University gift?
Hamline University Diploma Frames are available for purchase both through the bookstore and online. Frames from the Bookstore must be bought at their on campus location. You may also purchase the frames online from the company Framing Success. For general gifts, the Hamline University Bookstore has a wide variety of clothing and other gift items. The Hamline University bookstore is located in the Bush Student Center and will be open on Commencement from 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.