Commencement Instructions

COMMITMENT TO SAFETY AND COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

• Clear Bag Policy: To provide a safer experience and smooth entry, only clear bags will be allowed into the Health and Wellness Complex. Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags that do not exceed 12"x6"x 12" are allowed.

• Small clutch bags, which cannot exceed 4.5" x 6.5" in size, with or without a handle or strap can be taken into the Health and Wellness Complex with one of the clear plastic bags.

• All attendees will be subject to security screening prior to entering the building.

• Balloons or wrapped gifts will not be allowed in the building.

• Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the Health and Wellness Center for graduates, guests and staff.

• The venue will be disinfected and sanitized before the ceremony.

COMMENCEMENT TICKETS

• An email invite via Eventbrite from commencement@claflin.edu with registration information will be directly sent to each graduate’s Claflin email address. “The email may end up in your Junk email folder. Please do a search using the word “commencement”.

• Students are required to register on Eventbrite and are responsible for distributing guest tickets to their guests. 
• Each graduate who has registered for the ceremony will receive nine (9) electronic tickets:
  • Five for their guests in the main location
  • Three for their guests in the overflow
  • One for the Graduate

• All graduates and guests (including children ages 3 and up) will need an electronic or printed ticket to enter the Health and Wellness Center.

COMMENCEMENT REHEARSAL - Friday, May 8, AT 10 A.M.

• A rehearsal for Commencement will occur on Friday, May 8, at 10 a.m. at the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex.

GRADUATE INFORMATION ARRIVAL AND LOCATION FOR COMMENCEMENT

• Commencement will be held at the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex, 400 Magnolia Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115.

• All guests are strongly encouraged to arrive together as they will be seated together and parking is limited. A host or hostess will guide you to your seating.

• Graduates are asked to be in place at 8:00 a.m. Please enter through the Annex side entrance of the gym (rear) and meet in the Auxiliary gym of the Health and Wellness Complex. You may park in the gravel parking lot for easy access to that side of the gym.

• The five guests of the graduates that are ticketed for the main venue are allowed to enter the Health and Wellness Complex at 8:00 a.m. Please enter through the front entrance (Magnolia street side).
• The three guests who are ticketed for the overflow can enter the Student Center at 8:00 a.m.

• Please review the map of the different parking areas on and around campus.

COMMENCEMENT CONVOCATION – Saturday, May 9, AT 10 A.M.

• Graduates are asked to be in place at 8:00 a.m. Please enter through the side door of the Health and Wellness Complex (the door is located on Clark Street). You may park in the gravel parking lot for easy access to that side of the gym.
• The five guests of the graduates that are ticketed for the main venue are allowed to enter the Health and Wellness Complex at 8:00 a.m. Please enter through the front entrance (Magnolia Street side).
• The three guests who are ticketed for the overflow can enter the Student Center at 8:00 a.m.

• Parking is free and limited to first come, first served. We strongly encourage you to travel in one car. Please review the map of the different parking areas on and around campus.

• Claflin Public Safety along with Orangeburg City and County Public Safety will be on ground to ensure a smooth entry and successful commencement ceremony.

• Clear Bag Policy: To provide a safer experience and smooth entry, only clear bags will be allowed into the Health and wellness Complex. Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags that do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12" are allowed.

• Small clutch bags, which cannot exceed 4.5" x 6.5" in size, with or without a handle or strap can be taken into the Health and Wellness Complex with one of the clear plastic bags.

• All attendees – including children (ages 3 and up) and the physically challenged – must have tickets to enter the facility.

• All attendees will be subject to security screening prior to entering the building.

CEREMONY INFORMATION

• Graduates should wear their Graduation Regalia—cap, gown, tassel— to the ceremony. Please be fully dressed before entering the Health and Wellness Complex.

• Once inside the Health and Wellness Complex, graduates will be given their name cards and lined up for procession. Please note, graduates will be standing until they are able to process into the ceremony. Wear comfortable shoes.

• During the ceremony, once directed by a marshal, graduates will approach the stage.

• Once at the stage, the graduate will give their name card to the name reader, and the graduate’s name will be called, as the graduate crosses the ramp in front of the stage.

• All graduates will have the opportunity to have a professional photograph with President Warmack on the stage.

• Due to health and safety concerns, facial coverings must remain on at all times and there will be no handshake with the president. Photos will be made available to the graduate on Claflin’s website.

OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR

The Office of the Registrar wants to congratulate you on this most momentous milestone. Here is some important information for you:

Academic honors

• Summa Cum Laude is 3.90-4.00; Magna Cum laude is 3.75-3.89; Cum Laude is 3.50-3.74. Transfer or Continuing Education students who enter with an advanced standing are eligible for graduation with Magna Cum Laude or Cum Laude honors under the same grade-point ratio required of regular students.

• Diplomas will be handed out immediately after the ceremony in the Auxiliary Gym in the Health and Wellness Complex if you have met all academic, financial and university requirements

• If you want your degree mailed, please send an e-mail to registrar@claflin.edu with your complete mailing address.

• Please be reminded, if you fail any major courses, you will not be issued your diploma. If you have a financial obligation to the University, you will not be issued your diploma.

For family and friends that are unable to attend, the ceremony will be livestreamed on Claflin’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ClaflinUniversity1869