Baccalaureate Ceremony Day-Of Information for Students

  1. Department Directory
  2. Commencement Office
  3. Commencement 2025
  4. Baccalaureate Ceremony Day-Of Information for Students
RIC Student at Commencement

Dear Graduates,

Commencement is an amazing day! You have achieved a proud accomplishment for yourself, and for your family and loved ones. We want to remind you that it is essential to celebrate responsibly and respectfully. We recognize that everyone is going to enjoy the day differently, but we can all do so in ways that protect our individual and interpersonal safety. The Amica Mutual Pavilion has strict policies on alcohol, drugs, and other prohibited items that apply to ALL attendees. 

Join us on Commencement Day for a time to safely celebrate you, your fellow graduates, and all that you have accomplished.

Happy Graduation!

Day of Ceremony Progression

Arrival and Building Entry

  • Plan to arrive at the Amica Mutual Pavilion no later than 8:15 am (in your cap and gown).
  • Enter at the lower level of the Amica Mutual Pavilion (West Exchange Street side). Signs will be posted to direct you to the correct location.
  • All graduates must go through a security check and walk through a metal detector.
  • Once you enter, check-in to receive your procession card. 

Next

Line-Up, Procession, Seating

Line-Up

  • Candidates are lined up by school. 
  • Candidates are not lined up alphabetically. A graduation marshal will assist you to guarantee that you are in the correct line for the procession and diploma distribution.
  • Baccalaureate Candidates' degree conferral include the following: Professional Studies, Business, Arts and Sciences, Education, Nursing and Social Work. 
  • If you are entitled to a Latin Honor Cord and you are unable to pick up your cord on May 16 from 10 am–12 pm, it will be waiting for you as you check in the morning of May 17.  

Processional and Seating of Graduates

  • Once you process on the Amica Mutual Pavilion floor, a Graduation Marshal will direct you to your seat in your assigned seating block
  • Please remain seated in your seating block during the ceremony.

Next

Diploma Distribution, and Recessional

Diploma Distribution

  • Baccalaureate graduates will receive their diploma case at 2 distribution points in the middle of the stage.
  • Once you receive your diploma case, please return to your seating location until the end of the ceremony.

Recessional 

  • Once the final diploma case is distributed, you will be inducted into the Alumni Association. You will process after the President's party and faculty leave the stage. They will be waiting to welcome you into the Rhode Island College Alumni community.
  • Please visit this site for more specific details of the ceremony as details unfold.

Receiving Your Official Diploma

Your diploma will be mailed to the home address on record with the Registrar's Office. To ensure delivery of your diploma, please check that your home address is correct. You can only update your mailing address on MyRIC; not your home address. You will need to reach out to the Registrar's Office to change your home address or fill out a Change of Information Form. Diplomas will be mailed approximately 4–6 weeks after Commencement.

Next

Commencement Photography

Grad Images is the official Commencement photographer. Grad Images will be on the stage to take individual photographs of graduates as they receive their diploma case. Proofs will be emailed to graduates within 5–10 business days after the ceremony and photos may be ordered at that time. For additional information, please contact Grad Images:

Call Grad Images Email Grad Images

Next

Rhode Island College entrance

Contact Us

Commencement Office

The Commencement Office works to ensure that our graduates, their families, and our campus community enjoys a memorable ceremony and celebration that is student-centered and family oriented.