FAQs

When is commencement?

The 2023 Fall University Commencement ceremony will be held on Friday, December 15, 2023 in Cassell Coliseum. The undergraduate ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. The Graduate School ceremony begins at 2:30 p.m.

The 2024 Spring University Commencement will be held on Friday, May 10, 2024. The University is still reviewing the schedule for individual college ceremonies and will be shared as soon as it is finalized.

What can I expect during each ceremony?

Ceremonies are expected to last no more than two hours. The University Commencement ceremony will include remarks from President Tim Sands, student speakers, and a keynote speaker. Degrees will be conferred.

Graduates should arrive an hour before each ceremony and should enter Cassell Coliseum at the Merryman Center entrance. Signs will be posted.

Both fall ceremonies will offer graduates a chance to hear their name called and walk across the stage. Graduates will be able to fill out a card at the ceremony with the phonetic spelling of their name to be read as they walk across the stage.

How do I prepare for commencement?

Apply for your degree via Hokie Spa.
Update your mailing address so your diploma is shipped to right location.
Use #HokieGrad to share your photos and be included in the ceremony.
Order your cap and gown online. Honor sashes for those who qualify will be available for purchase at University Bookstore, Volume 2 Bookstore, or online at hokieshop.com.

What should graduates wear to commencement?

Graduates must wear a cap and gown. Regalia can be purchased online.

For questions, contact the University Bookstore at: 540-231-5991 or virginiatech@bkstr.com.

How do I get my cords?

Cord distribution is managed by the organization that has implemented a specific cord. For questions about particular cords, please reach out to the sponsoring organization.

How do I purchase honor sashes?

Honor sashes can be purchased in person at the University Bookstore, Volume 2 Bookstore, or online at the hokie shop.

What is included on graduation announcements?

Students choose what they want to include in announcements. Announcements can be purchased online. A list of degrees are available online.

Do friends and family need tickets to attend commencement?

At this time tickets are not required and there is no limit on guests.

If you have guests from out of the country who needs an invitation letter for a U.S. visa, please contact the Registrar's Office at registrar@vt.edu or 540-231-6252.

Will the clear bag policy be in effect for commencement?

Yes, the clear bag policy will be in effect. Attendees are permitted to bring one clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a one-gallon, clear, re-sealable plastic storage bag per person. Attendees are also allowed a small clutch purse not to exceed 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Wallets must also conform to this size requirement. Flowers are allowed.

No wrapped presents or other bags will be allowed inside, including gift bags. All items, including clear bags and clutch purses, are subject to search at all commencement venues. No items can be left or stored at the doors/gates.

A list of prohibited items can be found online

Can I bring in food? Will concessions be available?

Attendees and graduates may only bring in a factory sealed bottle. Concessions will be available, but payment will be credit card only, no cash.

Where can I meet my graduate or family after the ceremony?

Graduates and guests are asked to exit promptly after each ceremony in order for the staff to clean up and prepare for the next ceremony. Graduates and guests can meet up outside of Cassell Colliseum. Graduates and guests are asked not to block roadways and not block others from arriving for the next ceremony.

Will the commencement ceremonies be live streamed?

Yes, all ceremonies will be livestream. Visit the Virginia Tech home page or commencement.vt.edu/watch to view the ceremonies.

I need an accommodation and/or someone in my family will require a special accommodation, who should I contact?

Requests for accommodations for guests attending the Graduate School or the University Commencement ceremonies must be made to the Office of Equity and Accessibility at least two weeks before the ceremony. If a family needs a parking pass for those needing help, the student must go to the Service for Disability office at Lavery Hall suite 310 or call (540) 231-3788.

For additional information concerning accessibility and disability accommodations, contact the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD).

ADA parking will be available in the Cassel Lot/Lot 1. An ADA placard or parking pass from the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities is required to park in this lot. For questions about ADA parking call (540) 231-2010.

What local lodging options are available for commencement?

For fall commencement, on-campus housing for guests is not available.

Guests can also find a directory of lodging options in the area online. For more information please contact the Montgomery County Regional Tourism office at info@GotoMontVA.com.

For spring commencement, residence halls are available through Housing and Residence Life for families and guests of graduates. Some dates during commencement week may not be available. More lodging information can be found online. Residence halls and lodgings fill up quickly and are not monitored by this site. Please contact individual lodgings for availability.

Will there be RV parking?

There will be RV parking in the Cage Lot for spring commencemnt only. Please contact Parking Services for more information, including requesting a parking pass. More parking information, including a map of parking options can be found online.

I want to frame my diploma, what size is it?

Undergraduate diplomas are 13.5” x 15.5” and Graduate School diplomas are 11” X 14”.

How can I get the photo of me walking across the stage?

GradImages will take photos on the stage and a head shot off stage and will email graduates who provided an email address to purchase photos.

Only the photos taken by GradImages will be sent to students.

If you have any questions regarding these photos, contact GradImages at gradimages.com and or (800) 261-2576 or ecc.giservice@gradimages.net.

I’ve purchased my cap and gown, but I’d like to return them. How does that process work?

Caps and gowns can be returned minus the cost of shipping. Packages must be sealed, and they must be returned prior to graduation.

If you purchased a cap and gown online for pickup, please contact the bookstore to process your return. You can email 2130mgr@follett.com to request a refund for any online orders.

Customers with specific questions may contact the bookstore by phone, email, or send a message directly from the return policy page. The University Bookstore can be reached at (540) 231-5991 or email 2130mgr@follett.com. The address to ship returns is 115 Kent St., Blacksburg, VA 24061.

How will I get my diploma?

All undergraduate and Graduate School diplomas will be mailed to graduating students as soon as possible. Diplomas will no longer be available for pick-up in person.
If your diploma mailing address is a Blacksburg residence, please email diploma@vt.edu to confirm this. Without confirmation your diploma will not be ordered.
Diplomas will only be ordered if a diploma mailing address has been provided. Please update your diploma mailing address by following these instructions:

Log into HokieSpa: http://hokiespa.vt.edu
Go to the HokieSpa Tab
Click the Graduation Menu
Select Undergraduate (or Graduate) Student Degree Menu
Click Add/Update Diploma Address
Click Add/Update

Students living in the United States will receive their diploma within two weeks once the email with tracking information is issued. Students living outside the United States should allow up to eight weeks for international shipments.

Certified Electronic Diplomas (CeDiploma) may be available prior to receiving your printed diploma. You will be notified via email when your CeDiploma is available to order with instructions on how to order it.

If you need verification immediately following graduation, you may request a certified letter or order your official transcripts through HokieSpa.

For undergraduate students with questions about the diploma mailing process, please contact Rebecca Jones at beccaj@vt.edu.

For Graduate School students with questions about the diploma mailing process, please contact Graduate Admissions and Academic Progress at grads@vt.edu.

Is there shuttle service or other transportation to commencement?

There is no shuttle service available for commencement, but Blacksburg Transit will be operating. For more information visit the BT website.

What are the future dates of commencement?

The official schedule of ceremonies is anticipated to be released at the end of each summer. The University Commencement ceremony is scheduled for Friday mornings. The tentative dates for future University Commencement ceremonies are as follows:

Fall 2023: Friday, Dec. 15, 2023
Spring 2024: Friday, May 10, 2024
Fall 2024: Friday, Dec. 20, 2024
Spring 2025: Friday, May 16, 2025
Fall 2025: Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

Don't see the answer to your question here? Please reach out to the Office of Special Events at SpecialEventsOffice@vt.edu or 540-231-5027.