FAQ

What’s the difference between graduation and commencement?

It is important to note that the words “commencement” and “graduation” are not synonymous. Graduation happens the day that the Registrar’s Office confirms that all of your degree requirements have been satisfied and changes your status to “graduated” in the student information system. This “degree awarded” date will also be the date used on your official transcript. Commencement, on the other hand, is a ceremony. It happens annually in May and celebrates the past or future awarding of your degree.

What if I graduated in December, January, or February?

Important: Read this section if you completed or will complete graduation requirements between December 15, 2024 and March 1, 2025. Approximately one month after your degree is awarded, you will begin receiving a weekly email in your Augsburg email account warning you of when your account will be disabled and advising you of your options. ***If you intend to participate in the upcoming Spring 2025 commencement ceremony, please choose the "Hold" option so that your Augsburg email account is kept active for another few months.*** Otherwise, you will likely run into issues with acquiring commencement tickets from the commencement ticketing system. If your Augsburg email account has already expired, you will need to contact commencement@augsburg.edu for assistance.

When can I get tickets for my guests?

Tickets will be available for this year's eligible students on February 13, 2025. All eligible graduates will receive an email with information about registering to participate and accessing their tickets in their Augsburg-issued email prior to the access date. This email will include all important details regarding the date and time that tickets will be available, as well as all required log-in information. Please note that while the site may be accessible prior to the date tickets officially become available, if you attempt to request tickets prior to the start of ticket distribution, you will receive a message indicating you are not eligible for the ceremony. Your status will change once ticket distribution officially begins.

How many tickets can I order?

The total number of tickets allowed per graduate will be 1 graduate ticket for yourself plus 15 guest tickets for family and friends (16 total). You will be able to access the total number you need as soon as the ticketing system becomes available. Please only take the tickets that you need. If you don’t take all 16 tickets the first time, you will be able to go back into the system later and reserve the remaining amount if needed. If you expect to need more than 15 guest tickets, we strongly encourage you to work with other graduates to use any extra tickets they may have. Depending on demand, a limited number of additional tickets may be made available closer to the date of the ceremony.

What if I do not plan to attend commencement?

If you are not planning to participate in commencement, please log onto the ticketing system when it becomes available in mid-February and indicate your non-participation.

How do I indicate which of guest(s) need accessibility seating/accommodations?

To request accessible seating or any other accommodations, please fill out the follow-up questions on the checkout page (when you are ordering your tickets) and fill out the Accessibility Form. If you have questions about the physical access provided, please email events@augsburg.edu before the event.

Where do I order my cap and gown?

In order to participate in the ceremony, students will need the appropriate regalia.

• Undergraduate graduates need a gown, cap, and tassel.
• Master’s degree graduates need a gown, cap, hood, and tassel.
• Doctorate degree graduates need a gown, hood, and tam (with its included tassel).

Note to master’s and doctoral graduates: You will receive your hood when you pick up your cap and gown. Please make sure you wear your hood to the ceremony.

You may purchase regalia by ordering from Herff Jones online. You may also purchase or borrow a cap and gown from other sources, including the Augsburg Share Shop, as long as they are black. More information is available on the commencement website under “regalia.”

How do I know if I am graduating with Latin Honors?

Information about Latin Honors can be found on the Registrar’s Office website.

We look forward to celebrating your upcoming commencement! If you have any questions that aren’t answered in this email or on the commencement website, please email commencement@augsburg.edu and a member of the planning team will assist you.

Will a live webcast of the ceremony be available?

Yes, we will make the full ceremony available via live webcast on the University's YouTube channel. A link to the webcast will be available at www.augsburg.edu/commencement on the day of the event.

Can guests bring balloons into the Convention Center?

No, balloons are not allowed. Please make sure to communicate with your guests that balloons are not allowed.

Why haven’t I, and/or my friend, received email communication about the commencement ceremony?

Only commencement-eligible students receive communication about the commencement ceremony. To become eligible for commencement (and degree awarding), students need to submit a complete Intent to Graduate Form to the Registrar’s Office and then respond to any subsequent requested follow-up from the Registrar’s Office. 

Links: 

• Undergraduate Intent to Graduate Form (Download and save this form to your desktop and fill it out electronically.)
• Graduate-Level Intent to Graduate Google Form

Where do we park around the Minneapolis Convention Center?

There are many places to park at the Convention Center. Download the parking map to help you plan your visit. Please note that parking is not free. Parking rates can be found on the Convention Center's website: https://www.minneapolis.org/minneapolis-convention-center/attendees/public-event-parking-options/.