Virtual Commencement 2020 FAQs

Miami FAQs

Commencement Ceremony

Sunday, October 16, 2022
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (EDT)

Miami-Dade County Auditorium
2901 W Flagler Street
Miami, FL 33135

Eligible Participants

Who is included in the 2022 Miami Commencement Ceremony?

We will be honoring Spring I 2022 through Fall I 2022 graduates. Online eligible graduates may attend the Miami commencement ceremony. Please refer to communications sent directly to your email.

This includes:

Commencement Ceremony Application

Graduate Ticket Application
To participate in the ceremony, graduates must apply for commencement tickets by completing the registration form sent by email. This application is considered your ticket application, not your official commencement ticket. Once confirmed, graduates will be notified by email on eligibility for attendance and instructions on how to retrieve official commencement tickets.

Guest Tickets

Due to safety regulations, all guests attending the ceremony, including children (regardless of age), require a ticket for entry.

Tickets must be picked-up during ticket distribution and will not be available for pick-up on the day of commencement. Tickets are non-transferable or replaceable.

*Note: Tickets are not for sale or resale. Selling tickets is prohibited and violates WCU’s Student Conduct Policies and Procedures. Anyone caught selling or creating counterfeit tickets will not be allowed to participate in the Commencement Ceremony and may be referred to the Conduct Committee, where possible sanctions may include but are not limited to the rescinding of the degree.

International Guest Invitation Letter

Students and graduates can write their own invitation letter for a family member to submit to their country’s consulate. We recommend including enrollment verification from the Office of the Registrar along with the dates and times of the event.

Regalia

How do I purchase my cap and gown?
To order your cap and gown, please visit Southern Recognition at: https://srgrad.com/collections/west-coast-university

Academic regalia is required for your participation in the University Commencement Ceremonies. Cap and gown purchase is not available on the day of the ceremony. Business casual attire is recommended underneath the gown.

Grad Bash

What is Grad Bash?
Grad Bash is a pre-commencement celebration recognizing WCU graduates for program completion.

During the event, you will be able to:

*Honor cords and diplomas will be available to eligible graduates at Grad Bash. Diplomas will be available approximately 8-10 weeks after the completion of you program.

If unable to attend Grad Bash, please contact the Student Affairs Department for honor cords and Career Services for diplomas.

Ceremony Participation

Arrival and Check-in:
Graduates participating in the ceremony are asked to arrive no later than 11:30 a.m., to begin the check-in process. The graduate entrance is located on the east side of the auditorium. Graduates must bring their picture ID for check-in. The graduate staging room is located on the second-floor balcony. During the check-in process, graduates will receive the commencement announcement pass to be presented to the card reader when you walk across the stage.

Attire:
Academic regalia is required for participation in the Commencement Ceremonies. Cap and gown purchase is not available on the day of the ceremony. Business casual attire is recommended underneath the gown. Cap decorations should be professional and a representation of your educational accomplishments. Please leave any personal items with your guests.

Graduate Seating

Upon entry, graduates will be immediately seated according to their degree program before the ceremony begins. Graduates are to remain seated during the program and will not be able to leave until ceremony is finished.

Presentation of Diplomas and Photos on Stage

Watch for instructions and directions from the floor marshals to prepare you for line-up to walk across the stage.

Recessional

Watch for instructions and directions from the floor marshals to prepare you for the recessional.

Commencement Program

Commencement Programs will be available to view on the WCU Commencement website one week prior to your ceremony.

Honor Cords

Please contact your campus Student Affairs Office for your cords.

Official Diplomas and Transcripts

Please contact your campus Career Services Office for your official diploma.

Photography

Professional photographers will be onsite to take graduate photos. A web link to view photography will be sent to the graduates a few weeks after the ceremony.

Refreshments

Eating prior to arrival is highly recommended. No outside food or drinks will be permitted.

Directions and Parking

Complimentary parking will be available at the venue.

From Interstate-95 heading south/north:
Exit at 1B Southwest 7th street; go west to 27th Avenue and turn right to head Northbound on 27th Avenue. Turn left at Flagler Street to head West until 29th Avenue, building is on your right.

From Florida Turnpike (southbound/northbound):
Exit 26 at Dolphin Expressway (836), go east to exit Southbound NW 27th Avenue, head south to Flagler Street, turn right to head westbound until 29th Avenue, building is on your right.

From Miami International Airport:
Get on FL-953 S/NW 42nd Ave/S Le Jeune Rd in Miami from Miad Cir, NW 21st Street Exit 4, take FL-836 East. Exit Southbound NW 27th Avenue, head south to Flagler Street, turn right to head westbound until 29th Avenue, building is on your right.

Safety Protocol

During the events we will continue to follow COVID-19 protocols and ask that you wear a face covering and physically distance.

Questions?

Please email WCUcommencementFL@westcoastuniversity.edu for special accommodations.

Please monitor your designated email and the commencement website for updates.