Fall 2020 Commencement

Frequently Asked Questions

• What time do graduates need to show up for their respective Commencement ceremony? Updated

  Graduates are required to be at NRG Stadium one hour before their scheduled college ceremony.

• Do graduates need a ticket to attend? Updated

  No, only the guests of the graduates need tickets.

• When do I need to register for Commencement? Updated

  If you are a CURRENT student graduating in December, you must apply for graduation by November 20. This ensures you will be able to participate in the ceremony and your guests can attend the event.

• When can I purchase tickets for my guests? Updated

  Tickets are tentatively scheduled to go on sale on December 8. More information and links will be forthcoming.

• When do ticket sales end? Updated

  Tickets will be on sale until Wednesday, December 16 at 5 p.m.

• Will there be an in-person Commencement ceremony in December?

  Yes! In order to prioritize the safety of our graduates and their families, we will hold three ceremonies on Saturday, December 19, at NRG Stadium in Houston. A number of precautions will be taken to meet health and safety standards, including face coverings, physical distancing, temperature checks and thorough sanitizing between ceremonies.

• What time will the ceremonies be held? Updated

  Ceremony Time	Participating Colleges
  Saturday, December 19, 9:00-10:30 AM	College of Business Administration   and  College of Health Sciences
  Saturday, December 19, 2:00-3:30 PM	College of Arts and Media and College of Education and College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  Saturday, December 19, 7:00-8:30 PM	College of Criminal Justice and College of Science and Engineering Technology

• Can I bring guests? Do they need tickets to attend? Updated

  Yes, however each ceremony will require tickets for guests to attend. Each graduate is allowed up to 6 tickets, which are non-transferrable. NRG requires the use of Ticketmaster for the event. Students will reserve tickets through Ticketmaster and pay the ticketing fee of $1.75 per ticket directly at the time of reservation. Guests without a ticket will not be granted entry and there is no transfer of tickets allowed. More information will be distributed by the Registrar in the coming weeks.

• Will I have to wear a mask at Commencement?

  Yes. SHSU requires the use of face coverings, as does NRG Stadium.

• Can I use my friend’s tickets to bring additional guests? Updated

  No. As per Ticketmaster policy, all tickets are non-transferrable and non-refundable.

  Also, this is due to social distancing guidelines and stadium regulations. The tickets are specifically assigned to graduates. Seating is assigned based on the number of tickets requested and social distancing guidelines; guests will be placed in "pods" where they sit together. So, if graduates receive tickets from other people, their guests will not be able to sit with their “pod” or family.

• Where should I park?

  There is ample parking at NRG Stadium. The current parking rate at NRG Park is $15.00 per car per day. More information will be distributed by the Registrar in the coming weeks.

• Will there be a keynote speaker?

  No. Due to time constraints for cleaning the stadium in between each ceremony, there will not be a keynote speaker. However, President Alisa White will share brief remarks with the graduates.

• Will I get to walk across the stage when my name is called during the Commencement ceremony?

  Yes!

• Will the December ceremony be livestreamed?

  Yes, the ceremony will be live and immediately available for on-demand viewing. After the ceremony, the video will be archived on the university’s official YouTube channel.

• When do I receive my diploma?

  Actual diplomas will be mailed to the permanent legal address on record (check your permanent legal address) approximately eight weeks after commencement. Students should confirm address information prior to the last day of the term in order to ensure diplomas are mailed to the correct address.

• Are there established social media hashtags?

  #SHSU20. We would love for you to share photos of yourself in your regalia, with your family, making commencement memories. You can share those with us on social media using our hashtag.

• Do I need to wear regalia to the ceremony?

  Yes, SHSU approved regalia can be ordered through the Barnes and Noble Bookstore prior to the commencement ceremony.

• How can I request disability accommodations for the December 19 ceremony at NRG Stadium?

  Graduates will be able to request reasonable accommodations for themselves and/or their guests as part of the RSVP process.

• How can I make sure my name is spelled correctly in the Commencement program?

  Verify the correct spelling of your first and last name in MySam.

• How do I know what college ceremony to attend?

  Students can locate the college to which they belong in DegreeWorks. The Registrar’s Office will email graduates with the time of their respective ceremony and the information will be posted on this site at a later date.

• I graduated in Spring or Summer 2020. May I participate in the in-person Commencement ceremony on December 19? Updated

  Yes! We are excited to welcome you back for this time-honored tradition. In order to prioritize the safety of our graduates and their families, we will hold three ceremonies on Saturday, December 19, at NRG Stadium in Houston. A number of precautions will be taken to meet health and safety standards, including face coverings, physical distancing, temperature checks, and thorough sanitizing between ceremonies.

• Will the number of Spring or Summer 2020 graduates allowed to participate in the December 19 be limited? Updated

  Based on survey responses from Spring and Summer 2020 graduates, we must limit the number of former graduates due to state social distancing guidelines and stadium capacity. This will allow for proper social distancing and to provide graduates and their guests a safe, accessible and quality experience.

• I graduated in Spring/Summer 2020 and want to participate in the December 19 in-person ceremony. What do I need to do? Updated

  You should have received an email from the Office of the Registrar on Monday, November 2 with information. If you would like to participate, you must complete your registration no later than Wednesday, November 11.

  • Register at: Alumni 2020 Commencement Participation. You will need to provide your personal information (including your Sam ID and email).
  • Submit your $40.00 payment via electronic check or credit card.
    Note: Select "Checkout as Guest" to proceed to payment.
  • You will receive a receipt once registration is complete.
• Does my child need a ticket? Updated

  For most events at NRG, children two years of age and older require a ticket for entrance.  Children under two on the lap are free.

• Is there a cost to participate? Updated

  Yes, there is a cost to participate. Fall graduates should apply via MySam and Spring/Summer graduates should register via the Alumni 2020 Commencement Participation website.