Guest and Graduate Arrival Information

General Information for Graduates & Guests

Graduates

In the Lane Center, Starbucks and the University Store will be open before, during and after the ceremony. There will be an overflow viewing area live streaming the ceremony (no tickets required) in the Lane Center lounge area by Starbucks.
Open your gown package ahead of time and let it hang to reduce wrinkles, or lightly iron. DON’T WASH and do NOT use a hot iron. Steaming them is best if you can. What to wear underneath—your choice; just think about how you’d like to be seen in pictures, especially from the knees down as that’s really what is mostly going to be seen.
Graduating students should report to the practice gym (see Maps) in the lower level of the PE Center no later than 60 minutes before the ceremony. Make sure you have your cap & gown (and hood, if you're a Masters or Doctoral graduate) with you. You can arrive wearing your regalia or put it on at lineup. Staff from the Registrar’s Office will be in the practice gym to line you up.
Upon arrival you will be given a name card. This is the card that the College Marshals will use to Announce your name. If you're concerned about pronunciation of your name, let staff know during lineup.
Once you have been given your place in line, do not let anyone else change your position. Also, if anyone has ever mispronounced your name, or if you feel your name may be difficult to pronounce, please make sure you tell the Marshals who will be announcing your names as you cross the stage. They will be in the practice gym with you.
When it’s your time to come up to receive your certificate, you will present your name card to be scanned, take it back from them and then give it to the Marshal at the podium for your name to be read as you cross the stage.
It is recommended that let your family know a specific location where you want them to meet you following the ceremony.
The only thing you will carry into the ceremony with you will be your name card. Please do not bring any valuables with you.
You may opt to have a formal portrait taken in your cap and gown from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. for the 9:30 ceremony, and 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. for the 2:00 ceremony, in room 168, right beside the practice gym where you’ll lineup. There is no obligation to purchase anything and several weeks after the ceremony you will receive proofs of all of your photos, they’ll be sent to your address you provided in the Marching Order registration. At that time, you can opt to purchase photos or not. If you wish to have your portrait taken, the main doors entering from the PE parking lot on the lower level will be open beginning at 8:00 a.m. for the 9:30 ceremony and 12:30 p.m. for the 2:00 ceremony, to graduates only. That set of doors will be the only student entrance open.
Graduation is a very special day for everyone. We understand that friends and family want to acknowledge your name being announced and that you’re graduating, but PLEASE ask them to respect not only the dignity of the program but also the person who is next in line. Each person is equally as important with family and friends being excited and happy.

Guests

In the Lane Center, Starbucks and the University Store will be open. There will be an overflow viewing area live streaming the ceremony (no tickets required) in the Lane Center lounge area by Starbucks.
Doors to the PE Center open for family and friends 90 minutes prior to each ceremony. Tickets are required. Guests may only enter through the main doors and are not to enter on the lower level where student lineup occurs.
Ushers will be throughout the PE center to assist family, friends, and graduates in any way necessary.
For those who cannot attend, the ceremony will be STREAMED LIVE. The link will be provided on the front page of the FSU website, www.frostburg.edu.
Shuttle buses are available at adjacent parking lots the day of Commencement to assist guests who may have difficulty walking (see Maps & Parking).
Seating for guests with disabilities will be available in five different areas in the arena. Please see Handicapped Accommodations for details. A sign language interpreter will be located in front of the stage. Ask an usher for assistance if you need to be seated in the area near the sign language interpreter. Please feel free to contact the University's ADA Office with any questions or concerns (301-687-4102; TDD (301) 687-7955).
Because fire department regulations prohibit blocking walkways, we ask that the guests not leave their seats during the ceremony to take pictures, also, it blocks the view of other attendees.
Graduation is a very special day for everyone. We understand that friends and family want to acknowledge your name being announced and that you’re graduating, but PLEASE ask them to respect not only the dignity of the program but also the person who comes next in line. Each person is equally as important with family and friends being excited and happy.