The Commencement Convocation for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences-Camden will be held at the FREEDOM MORTGAGE PAVILION on THURSDAY, MAY 16, at 10 a.m. During this ceremony, graduates of the Camden College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS) and University College–Camden (UCC) will have their names read and have the opportunity to walk across the stage. The ceremony is expected to last approximately two and a half hours. The Center is not climate controlled and may be cool when outside temperatures are below 60 degrees. Please note that there is no rehearsal for commencement.
For students graduating from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, visit https://graduateschool.camden.rutgers.edu for more information.
All graduates are expected to remain until the end of the ceremony. Diplomas will be available within six to eight weeks after the ceremony. You will either receive it via mail or will need to pick it up from the One Stop Student Services Center, depending on which option you chose on the Diploma Application.
PARKING/DIRECTIONS: The venue has free parking available to those attending commencement. Students and guests may also utilize the NJ Transit River Line. The Freedom Mortgage Pavilion is directly across from the River Line’s Entertainment Center stop.
TICKETS: We are happy to announce that due to the size of this year’s graduating class, tickets are not required for guests! (Graduates do not require tickets, either.) However, we do ask that you keep in mind that seating is first-come, first served and to be mindful of your fellow graduating students and the guests they will invite. There are no reserved seats for guests. If weather permit, the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion will open the grass seating area, as well.
LIVESTREAMING: The ceremony will be livestreamed. When available, the link will be posted to https://www.camden.rutgers.edu/commencement.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS: Information regarding accessibility information for guests who require special accommodations may be found at https://camden.rutgers.edu/commencement/accessibility-information.
Graduates who have special needs such as mobility restrictions and require special accommodations should contact the Office of Disability Services at success@camden.rutgers.edu with the subject line “Commencement – Graduate Accommodations.”
PHOTOGRAPHY: GradImages will be the official photographer for commencement. Your proofs will be ready to view online as soon as 48 hours after the ceremony. If you have any questions after the ceremony about your photos, please contact the GradImages Customer Service Department at 800-261- 2576 or giservice@gradimages.net. In order to notify you when your images are available, GradImages sends emails and mails paper proofs, along with optional text message notifications. Your information is never shared and privacy is guaranteed.
ACADEMIC PROCESSION: Degree candidates should report at 8 a.m. to the Benjamin Franklin Lobby at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion. You will check in and then directed to your line and your faculty marshal, who will provide complete instructions at that time. Candidates will process by major. Bachelor of Sciences’ degree recipients will process first, followed by the Bachelor of Arts’ degree recipients. Students with two or more majors will process with the major selected on the Diploma Application.
Marshals will start and guide each row of graduates to the stage. The commencement reader will announce the name of each candidate. Do not advance until your name is read. After you shake hands with members of the administration, switch the tassel of the cap from right to left and return to their original seats. We ask that you behave courteously toward other graduates. No air horns or any disruptive noisemakers will be permitted. Graduates are also expected to remain for the duration of the ceremony.
ATTIRE: The dress is the cap, gown and hood; the BA hood is white and the BS hood is gold. Please visit https://camden.rutgers.edu/commencement/extras for information on how to purchase regalia.
LATIN HONORS: Students who qualify for honor cords may purchase cords at the University District Bookstore. Students who qualify will be notified via email. Cords will also be available for purchase prior to the processional line-up at commencement. The requirements for honor cords are 45 credits earned at Rutgers University and a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above by the end of the Winter 2024 semester. Students must present picture ID at the time of purchase.
After the Spring 2024 semester concludes, Latin honors updates will be available via https://camden.rutgers.edu/commencement.
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION: All Rutgers University graduates are automatically members of the Rutgers University Alumni Association (RUAA), the university-wide organization of more than 461,000 alumni. There are no membership dues to pay and no forms to complete. Visit Ralumni.com for information on programs and benefits.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Visit https://youtu.be/i8CPeP_Gqr8 to watch a short video that answers the most commonly asked questions about commencement.
QUESTIONS? Send questions regarding commencement to artsci_commencement@camden.rutgers.edu.
SEE BELOW FOR ADDITIONAL WAYS TO CELEBRATE YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS!
SCARLET FOREVER SENIOR WEEK: Start celebrating during Scarlet Forever Senior Week (May 7-10). Sign up for Brunch and Cap Decorating, Rutgers–Camden Graduating Student Day at the Phillies, and other activities at rutgersfoundation.org/scarletforeverseniorweek.
RAINBOW GRADUATION CEREMONY: On Wednesday, May 8, from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. in the Campus Center, the achievements of Rutgers–Camden lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and nonbinary, queer, intersex, asexual, and other queer spectrum (LGBTQIA+) will be honored at the Rainbow Graduation. Call 856-225-6309 by April 30 to register both yourself and your guests. Please RSVP by April 30th using your scarlet mail account (note: be sure to log in with Scarlet Mail for access).
RITES OF PASSAGE: The Rites of Passage Ceremony is a pre-commencement celebration to honor Black and Latinx-identified students who through resolute persistence have successfully completed an Undergraduate or Graduate degree at Rutgers University–Camden. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14, at 10 a.m. at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion. Visit https://camden.rutgers.edu/commencement/rites-of-passage to register.
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY–CAMDEN AND GRADUATE SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT: Scheduled for Tuesday, May 14, from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., graduating students in all of Rutgers–Camden’s undergraduate and graduate degree programs are invited to attend the Rutgers–Camden Campus and Graduate School Commencement. The ceremony will feature the conferral of all campus degrees, greetings by University officials, and remarks by our keynote speaker. At this ceremony, candidates for Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Nursing Practice will be hooded. Candidates for the Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Fine Arts and Master of Public Administration will have their names read and walk across the stage. Graduates representing other degree programs will remain seated but are encouraged to attend with their families as well. There are no tickets for this event. Seating is on a first-come basis. Visit https://graduateschool.camden.rutgers.edu for more information.
GRADUATION PICNIC: All graduates and their guests are welcome to attend the Graduation Picnic on Tuesday, May 14, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion. On the banks of the Delaware, grads and guests will enjoy food trucks, music and Instagram backgrounds of the Philadelphia skyline, the Ben Franklin Bridge and the Battleship New Jersey. The event is free for graduates and guests, but you must register to attend: https://rcit.rutgers.edu/apps/payment/register.php?event_id=998.