Undergraduate Students

Commencement

Commencement Ceremony

  • 10 a.m. Sunday, May 17, McAuley Hall lawn

You must arrive at the Rodgers Recreation Center by 8:15 a.m. to ensure the academic procession begins on time. If you aren't checked in by 8:15 a.m., your name will not be announced during the ceremony. There are no exceptions.

Please allow ample time for you and your family to travel to campus, find parking and prepare your attire for the procession. Instructions for the academic procession will be given at Rodgers. Before leaving home, be certain that you have your cap, gown, hood and tassel.

The academic procession into the tent will begin at 9:15 a.m. Guests should be seated by that time. The ceremony will end at about noon.

Baccalaureate Mass

  • 4 p.m. Saturday, May 16, Our Lady of Mercy Chapel

Graduates and guests who wish to participate in this liturgical ceremony are asked to be seated in the chapel by 3:45 p.m. Regalia is not required.

If you have a relative who is a Roman Catholic priest or deacon, you may request that he be invited to concelebrate/assist at the Baccalaureate Mass. The clergy request form should be emailed to mercycenter@salve.edu by April 15. Concelebrants need a letter of good standing from their superior/bishop and are asked to bring their own alb and a white stole.

Tickets and Announcements

  • Tickets are required for admission to the undergraduate Commencement ceremony. Each graduate will be issued six tickets. No additional tickets will be available.
  • Graduating students are required to pick up their guest tickets. You must present your Salve ID to pick up tickets. Students will not be permitted to pick up another student's tickets.
  • Tickets are not needed for the Nursing Pinning or the Baccalaureate Mass.
  • Commemorative announcements may be purchased from Jostens by calling (800) 854-7464 or online at jostens.com. Announcements cannot be used to gain admission to the Commencement ceremony.

Graduation Fee and Financial Obligations

A $450 fee is charged to all graduating students. Even if you choose not to participate in Commencement activities, this fee must be paid to defray the cost of caps and gowns, announcements, diplomas and diploma cases, mailings and activities. This fee is automatically billed to your account and must be paid to the Bursar Office by May 1.

In addition, all other financial obligations to the University, including outstanding tuition, library fees, parking violations, etc., must be paid in full. We will not issue your diploma or final transcripts until your account is cleared. Please contact the Bursar's Office at (401) 341-2900 or bursaroffice@salve.edu to ensure your account is in good standing or to make payment arrangements.

Senior Week and Commencement Ball

Senior Week activities and the Commencement Ball are organized by the Office of Student Engagement and details will be posted as they become available. For more information, call (401) 341-2915.

Latin Honors

Baccalaureate degree candidates are awarded graduation honors based on the cumulative GPA when all degree requirements are completed. Honors are determined by the cumulative GPA for all semesters of study at Salve. Only students who have completed at least 60 credits (two full years) at Salve with letter grades (pass grades are excluded) are eligible for honors.

Honors are:

  • Cum laude (with honor): 3.60 GPA
  • Magna cum laude (with high honor): 3.75 GPA
  • Summa cum laude (with highest honor): 3.90 GPA

Academic Attire

Full academic regalia (including a cap) is required for the Commencement ceremony. During the ceremony, only University-recognized cords, stoles or pins may be worn on the outside of the gown.

Bachelor's degree candidates receive a cap, tassel, gown and hood. The cost is included in the graduation fee. You do not need to place an order for regalia. It will be available for pickup at the bookstore beginning in mid-April. Questions about regalia should be directed to the bookstore at (401) 847-9086 or salve@bkstr.com.

Don't forget to wear your mercy medal. We have a tradition at Salve of bestowing mercy medals to each class at Convocation. Students then carry them through their Salve journey and wear them at Commencement as they cross the stage. If you didn't receive a medal, please email missionintegration@salve.edu.

Diplomas

During the Commencement ceremony, all graduates receive a diploma cover. Graduates will automatically receive their diploma via U.S. Postal Service at the address listed on the application to graduate.

Parking

All graduates will park in the Rodgers Recreation Center lot and adjacent areas as directed by Public Safety personnel.