Student Information

UPDATED: FEB 15, 2012

Steps for students to participate in the Commencement ceremony
Undergraduate, master's and specialist's candidates who have filed for degree must reserve a seat for Commencement. RSVP online. Doctoral students must contact the Graduate Reader.

Commencement Details
In keeping with the spirit of academic traditions, both faculty and students will process into their seating in the coliseum. The university will continue the practice of calling individual candidates’ names as they cross the stage. Doctoral students will also be hooded individually on stage after their names are called.

Graduation is an elective event for degree candidates; therefore, out of respect for others, all candidates are expected to remain on the coliseum floor until the conclusion of the ceremony.  Any action that is deemed disrespectful or disruptive will result in the candidate’s diploma being held for disciplinary reasons.

Parking
All university parking lots, unless otherwise marked, will be open to the public on the day of Commencement. Handicap parking will be on the west side of M. K. Turk Circle.  Parking for the platform and VIP guests will be on the southeast side of M.K. Turk Circle.  The Southern Miss parking garage adjacent to West 4th Street will be open for commencement parking. See the printable map (PDF) detailing available parking areas on campus.

Webcast
The Commencement ceremonies will be Webcast live via the USM Web site. Southern Miss videos of commencement are available for viewing at a later time via the Southern Miss YouTube channel.

Check-in Time and Location
Candidates should check in at the appropriate location listed below no later than 9 a.m. for the 10 a.m. ceremony and 1:30 p.m. for the 2:30 p.m. ceremony. Baccalaureate participants will be grouped and seated by colleges. Master's, specialist's and doctoral participants will be grouped and seated by degree. Students arriving after the processional line is finalized will be added to the end of the processional line and may not be grouped and seated in the appropriate area in the coliseum.

  • Baccalaureate candidates check-in – Payne Center (front entrance – line up on gym floor)
  • Specialist's and master’s candidates check-in – Speech and Hearing Sciences building – room 201
  • Doctoral students check-in – Speech and Hearing Sciences building – room 101

Items Needed at Check-in
Candidates should check in with their caps, gowns and name cards. Candidates are not allowed to have purses, cameras, etc., because no storage area is available at the check-in area, in the Payne Center, or in the coliseum. 

Processional & Recessional (Download 1-page PDF)
To begin the Hattiesburg ceremonies, doctoral candidates followed by specialist's and master's candidates will lead the baccalaureate candidates in a processional through the east and west tunnels. Afterward, the students and guests will be asked to stand for the platform and faculty processional. Comfortable shoes are encouraged since candidates will be walking the distance from the Payne Center and into Reed Green Coliseum.

At the conclusion of the Hattiesburg ceremonies, the platform party and the faculty will lead the students in a recessional exiting through the east and west tunnels directing them to the Payne Center.  Guests are invited to meet their candidates in the Payne Center where photography areas will be staged with the college banners.

10 a.m. Ceremony

  • Doctoral students and hooding faculty - West
  • Specialist's and master's candidates - West
  • Business - East
  • Education & Psychology / Science & Technology - West
  • Platform Party - East
  • Faculty - East

2:30 p.m. Ceremony

  • Doctoral students and hooding faculty - West
  • Specialist's and master's candidates - West
  • Arts & Letters - East
  • Health - West
  • Platform Party - East
  • Faculty - East

Impact of Weather
In the event of rain, umbrellas can be used to walk from the check-in to the coliseum and left in the tunnel until the recessional. If weather is severe enough (heavy rain, thunderstorms, tornado watch/warning) to necessitate a delay in the start of the ceremony, instructions will be announced on-site to students and guests. If the forecast indicates no change in the severity of the weather, cancellation of the ceremony will be announced.

If the ceremony is underway but is interrupted by severe weather, students and guests should follow instructions as announced. It is advised that you prearrange a meeting place with your family and guests in case the ceremony is canceled. Instructions and updates will be provided via the USM Web site and through local media outlets.

Accommodations for People with Disabilities or Special Needs
Special parking lots will be reserved for persons with disabilities or special needs that meet ADA guideline. See Disability Access for complete details.

If you have questions or need additional information, contact the Office for Disability Accommodations, 601.266.5024 or 228.214.3232. Individuals with Hearing Impairments: ODA's TTY number is 601.266.6837, or you may use the Mississippi Relay Service at 1.800.582.2233 to contact any campus office.

Commencement Photo
A commencement photographer from Candid Campus Photography will be available to take photos of the candidates after they cross the stage and receive their diploma covers. The commencement photographer can be contacted at 800.233.3686. Students may choose to have their photos made in advance of the ceremony through Southern Miss Photo Services. Call 601.266.4149 to set up an appointment in Hattiesburg. 

Cap and Gown Rental and Pickup
Barnes & Noble @ Southern Miss will host Grad Fest, at which students may order regalia, invitations, class rings and visit with other campus representatives. Grad Fest will be held on the following dates:

  • Gulf Coast Campus (FEC Building): Tuesday, March 27 at 1:30-3:30 p.m.
  • Hattiesburg Campus (Barnes & Noble): Wednesday, March 28, 10-6 p.m. and Thursday, March 29, 10-4 p.m.

The regalia for the commencement can be picked up at the Barnes & Noble @ Southern Miss in the Thad Cochran Center, for candidates and faculty, beginning Tuesday, May 8, and continuing through Thursday, May 10, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Doctoral students may pick up regalia Friday morning (May 11) in the Speech & Hearing Sciences building.

**Students may request to have a third party pick up their caps and gowns with written permission and proper identification.**

Cap and gowns will need to be returned to the bins in the Payne Center.