Info, Protocols, and Key Roles
Faculty are encouraged to participate in the commencement ceremonies. If you plan to participate, please let your college's commencement representative know as soon as possible. Your representative will inform you when the deadline is to declare your participation. University Events staff must have an accurate count of attending faculty from each college so that appropriate seating can be arranged.
Doctoral Advisors
Doctoral advisors who are hooding their students should plan to meet their students in the North Cafeteria of Webb University Center to line up with the doctoral candidates. If you cannot attend, please contact a colleague to arrange for someone to hood your advisee. In the event of inclement weather, students will robe in the Mitchum Basketball Performance Center at the corner of Monarch Way and 43rd Street behind Chartway Arena.
Reporting Place and Time
Ceremonies at S.B. Ballard Stadium
Faculty and alumni association representatives will assemble for robing in S.B. Ballard Stadium. Please follow directional signs to enter through the Northwest Gate and come dressed in academic regalia.
Please arrive no later than one hour prior to the start of the ceremony.
Ceremonies in Chartway Arena
Faculty and alumni association representatives will assemble for robing in theÌýRiver Rooms of Webb University Center.
Please arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.
Regalia
Faculty, doctoral advisors, readers, and alumni association representatives are responsible for providing and bringing their own academic attire. Academic Regalia is available for purchase from Ìýand at the .
Processional
The faculty portion of the processional will follow the platform party followed by the alumni association representatives. In the case of inclement weather, faculty will process inside the Chartway Arena. The academic processional across campus will be canceled.
Marshals
Each college or school will identify a team of marshals to serve in the ceremony. If you are interested in serving in this role, please contact the Commencement Office at commencement@odu.edu.
Roles include:
- University Marshal: Leads the commencement processional and serves as convener of the ceremony.
- Lead Marshal: The college lead marshal assists in the assembly of candidates, line up of the processional,Ìýand directing candidates to the stage.​
- Trailing Marshal: Assists the lead marshal in the assembly of candidates, line up and movement of the processional,Ìýand directing candidates to the stage. ​
- Doctoral Marshal: Assists in lining up,Ìýand directing doctoral/MFA candidates to the stage.
- Faculty Marshal: Assists in lining up,Ìýand directing faculty out of the seating area.
- Floater Marshal:Ìý Assists the lead and trailing marshal in assembly of candidates, line up and movement of the processional, and directing candidates to the stage.
- ADA Marshal: Assists candidates with ADA support needs.
Inclement Weather
In the event of inclement weather, details of the weather plan will be provided to all participating faculty at least 24 hours ahead of the ceremony.