Commencement

Who needs a ticket to attend the Commencement Ceremony?

All guests, regardless of age will need a ticket to enter the Fenn Center. Each graduate will be allotted six (6) admission tickets and will be issued through MarchingOrder.

Does a baby or a young child need a ticket?

Yes. Everyone entering the Center needs a ticket, regardless of age.

When will I receive my tickets?

You will receive six (6) tickets for your specific ceremony through the MarchingOrder website once you complete the commencement participation form. Tickets must be claimed by December 1, 2023.

How can I get extra tickets?

Each student may log into Marching Order to claim up to four additional tickets for their commencement ceremony.

When and where can I receive my Commencement regalia?

• Online orders are available Wednesday, November 1, 2023 through Friday, November 17, 2023. At the time of check out, select which campus C-Port lockers you would like your ceremony regalia sent. Please allow 5-7 days for order processing.
• In-person at the Massey Campus Bookstore orders are available Monday, November 13, 2023 through Friday, December 8, 2023. Regalia will be given at the time of order if purchasing in-store.
• Orders are non-reimbursable, and non-transferable. Graduates are responsible for ceremony regalia. If lost or missing gown, graduate will have to purchase a complete replacement packet.
• Honor Cords (if designated) will be included with your regalia order. 
• If you are a member of the U.S. Armed Forces (Veteran, Active, Reserve) and would like to receive a military cord, you must present a military ID at the Massey Campus River Shop.

Can I wear a custom cord/stole, medallion and/or pin at commencement?

No. Only the approved academic adornments listed below can be worn during the ceremony.

• IRSC Honor, High Honors, Highest Honors
• IRSC Distinguished Scholar
• All Florida Academic Team
• Alpha Phi Sigma/Criminal Justice
• Emerging Leaders
• Eta Sigma Delta/Culinary, Hospitality & Tourism
• Honor Society for Nursing
• Kappa Delta Pi/Education
• Lambda Nu/Radiologic & Imaging
• Legacy Leaders
• Military Distinction
• Phi Theta Kappa
• Sigma Alpha Pi
• Sigma Beta Delta/Business

What do I do if I lose part of my regalia before the Ceremony?

Additional tassels or replacement tassels can be purchased through the bookstore for $10 and additional or replacement caps can be purchased through the bookstore for $12. If lost or missing gown, graduate will have to purchase a complete replacement packet. If you find that you are missing regalia at the Ceremony, speak to a faculty member at your check-in location.

Can students use the same cap/gown from a previous ceremony?

If a student has previously purchased regalia from the IRSC River Shop Bookstore within the last two years, and the colors or materials have not changed, they may re-use their regalia. A Bookstore manager must verify the student made the purchase and the regalia has not changed.

What should I wear under my regalia?

Men should wear a dress shirt, tie, dark slacks and dark dress shoes.  Women should wear a dark dress or dress slacks and dark dress shoes.  For your own safety and comfort, women should not wear high-heeled and/or open-toe dress shoes.  Closed-toe low heels and/or flats are strongly recommended.

Am I allowed to decorate my cap?

Yes, graduates may decorate the top of the cap. 

How will I know if I am graduating with Honors?

Honor designations are based on overall cumulative college-credit plus transfer coursework attempted at IRSC from the previous academic term, as well as at other post-secondary institutions. Graduates will be notified of Honors status via their IRSC RiverMail email.   

What are the Honors designations, and how will I be recognized?

The Honors designations are:

• Summa Cum Laude–Highest Honors (cumulative GPA of 3.85 to 4.0)
• Magna Cum Laude–High Honors (cumulative GPA of 3.7 to 3.84)
• Cum Laude–Honors (cumulative GPA of 3.5 to 3.69)

Honors recipients will wear gold cords and tassels and be acknowledged as they walk across the stage during the Ceremony.

I belong to an Academic Honor Society. Can I wear my cords, stole or pin? 

In addition to IRSC regalia (cap, gown, tassel), cords, stoles, medallions and/or pins from Academic Honor Society organizations recognized by the College can be worn during the Ceremony. These include:

• IRSC Honor, High Honors, Highest Honors
• All Florida Academic Team
• Alpha Phi Sigma/Criminal Justice
• Emerging Leaders
• Eta Sigma Delta/Culinary, Hospitality & Tourism
• Honor Society for Nursing
• Kappa Delta Pi/Education
• Lambda Nu/Radiologic & Imaging
• Legacy Leaders
• Military Distinction
• Phi Theta Kappa
• Sigma Alpha Pi
• Sigma Beta Delta/Business

Custom cords, stoles, medallions and/or pins are not allowed.

When should I arrive for the Commencement Ceremony?

Each 2.5-hour ceremony will begin promptly at its designated time. Graduates will be pre-seated. Graduates arrive one (1) hour prior to their ceremony and remain for the entire event. Each graduate will receive a name card that he/she will hand to the presenter before crossing the stage to receive a diploma. 

What if I arrive after my ceremony begins?

Go directly to the Information Desk in the lobby of the Fenn Center, and a faculty member will escort you to the reserved seating area.

Where do I report?

All graduates report through the front/east entrance of the Center. Follow the signs to your check-in area, and check in with the faculty member in charge. Check in will be by last name, and each graduate will receive a pre-printed information card with his/her full name and any appropriate honors designation. Hand this card to the faculty or administrator reading names before you walk across the stage to be recognized. 

Is there a place where I can leave my personal belongings?

No. Leave your personal belongings in your car or with a family member. The College and Fenn Center cannot be responsible for securing your valuables.

How will I know if my name will be printed in the Commencement program?

Your name will be printed in the program if you apply for Commencement by the deadline date—Friday, November 17, 2023.

When will I receive my diploma?

Printed diplomas will be mailed to all graduates approximately two to three weeks following the Ceremony from Parchment. A free digital diploma will be available a few days after term completion. Students will receive a notification to their personal email and a text notification with instructions for electronically claiming their diploma.

Make sure you update your address in Workday prior to the end of your final term. For more information, click here.

How do I join the Indian River State College Alumni Association?

All new IRSC graduates receive a complimentary one-year membership to the IRSC Alumni Association. To activate your membership, send an email to irscalumni@irsc.edu.

When should my family or guests arrive for the Commencement Ceremony?

Family and guests should plan to arrive at least one (1) hour prior to the start of the Ceremony which begins PROMPTLY at the times noted above. They should expect a heavy volume of traffic and allow time to park and walk to the Ceremony site. Doors will open 1 hour prior to the start of the ceremony and are temporarily closed during the start of the Ceremony.

Where do guests, family and friends enter the venue?

Guests, family and friends use the front/main/east entrance.

Are guests allowed to bring water or video cameras into the venue?

Yes.  Guests, family and friends are allowed to bring water, cameras or video cameras; however, balloons and/or air horns are NOT allowed.

Are there places to stay in the area?

Yes. Visit the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce for a listing of local accommodations.

I need special accommodations.  Whom can I contact for assistance?

Graduates and/or family members requiring special accommodations should contact Accessibility Services at least one (1) week prior to Commencement at accessibilityservices@irsc.edu or call 772-462-7809 or 772-462-7396.

Are there special accommodations for parking and seating?

There are limited, special parking and seating areas for individuals needing special accommodations. Please plan to arrive early.

Are there other special accommodations available?

Yes. A sign language interpreter will be visibly located and signing during the Ceremony.