All times are Eastern Times ~ Please watch this page as information may change closer to commencement.

Commencement Day

Saturday, May 4 ~ 2:00 pm ~ Watch Live Stream  WVUT.ORG

Flowers will be available for purchase the day of the event. If you would like to preorder please visit the website (https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/vincennesuniversity). All proceeds go to support the Parent Fund.

PE Complex
1401 North Chestnut Street, Vincennes, IN

Driving Directions: Campus Map - Building 19

Grad Fest

Grad Fest is Tuesday, March 19, from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM in Jefferson Student Union. Students will have an opportunity to confirm with the Registrar's office any outstanding requirements, learn what you need to do if you received financial aid, and meet with VU Bookstore staff to order graduation announcements, order a cap and gown, purchase a class ring, diploma frame and/or other keepsake mementos.

REHEARSAL FOR COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

Rehearsal will be held in the in the PE Complex: Thursday, May 2 at 11:00 am or Friday, May 3 at 2:00 PM. You only need to attend one of the rehearsals, but all graduates must attend regardless of the degree you will receive.

COMMENCEMENT DAY - SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

9:00 AM - Honors Convocation - Red Skelton Performing Arts Center (no tickets needed)
12:30 PM - Doors open to PE Complex - Admittance by TICKET ONLY 
1;00 PM - Students report to the Student Recreation Center (1600 Short Street) for line-up. 
2:00 PM - Commencement ceremony begins

A reception will begin immediately following the ceremony in the Jefferson Student Union

CAPS, GOWNS, AND TASSELS - TICKETS - GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
Caps, gowns, and tassels may be picked up at the Old Post Bookstore beginning Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, April 29, 30, May 1, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM. The cost of the set, which the graduate keeps, is $35.00 plus tax for Associate degree graduates and $45.00 plus tax for Baccalaureate degree graduates. Additional tassels may be purchased for $5.00 each. Graduates purchasing a cap and gown on one of these 3 days may request up to 6 tickets to the Commencement ceremony (graduates do not need a ticket). Although caps and gowns will be available after May 1, ONLY STUDENTS PURCHASING A CAP AND GOWN on April 29, 30 or May 1, ARE GUARANTEED UP TO 6 TICKETS. Any remaining tickets will be available in the Bookstore on a first-come-first-served basis for graduates walking in the ceremony after May 1 during regular hours through Friday, May 3, at 1:00 pm. Up to 2 additional tickets may be requested per day as long as tickets are available. Cap and gowns will be available for preorder at http://vubookstore.vinu.edu/home or by attending GRAD Fest.
Graduation announcements are also available for purchase in the Bookstore.
Military Cords will be available in the Veterans Support Services Office located in the Extended Studies Building 9ES87) on the corner of 4th Street and College Avenue.
Due to limited seating, tickets are only available to graduates walking commencement.

SEATING
The PE Complex has general, bleacher-style seating available for all family and guests (stadium seats are permitted). However, since seating is limited, there will be additional seating in the adjacent Jefferson Union. Tickets for this venue will be available in the Old Post Bookstore beginning Monday, April 29. Commencement will be broadcast live on the large screen. This opportunity is especially well-suited for guests with small children, and those who cannot sit for long periods of time or would prefer chairback seating. The snack bar is also open during commencement.

DISABILITY SEATING
If you, as a student participating in the Commencement ceremony, require special accommodations please contact the Office of Disability Services at 812-888-4501. For guests who have special seating needs please arrive early. Doors will open for accessible seating only, beginning at 12 NOON. Wheelchair seating is available on a limited basis and an usher will assist you. Please watch for signage inside the Chestnut Street doors for disability seating assistance. It is strongly suggested that you arrive at 12:00 to recieve accessible seating in the PE Complex. Overflow accessible seating will be in the Jefferson Union. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Director of Disability Services, in the Welsh Administration Building (inside the Counseling Center) or by calling 812-888-4501. All other guests may enter after 12:30 pm.

GRADUATION PHOTOS
Grad Images will photograph the graduates during the ceremony and will provide each graduate photographed an opportunity to order enlargements from a variety of photographic packages with no obligation to purchase. For more information, go the Grad Images website, www.gradimages.com or call 800.261.2576.

ACADEMIC HONORS
Graduates are candidates for academic honors if their cumulative GPA is 3.50 or higher. The honors category will be indicated next to the student’s name on the Commencement program. Honors candidates should present this information to the Registrar’s Office during the week of April 29 to receive honor regalia. Stoles are $20. ALL GRADUATES ELIGIBLE TO WEAR THE HONOR REGALIA AND THEIR PARENTS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE HONORS CONVOCATION ON SATURDAY, MAY 4, AT 9:00 AM IN THE RED SKELTON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER WHERE THE GRADUATES WILL BE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT.  Please tell your family that they may sit anywhere in the Theatre prior to the convocation, but we ask that you meet in the rear hallway of the Red Skelton Theatre by 8:15 for check-in. Once lined up, all honorees will march into the theatre together and will be seated on the stage. The program should be completed before 10:30 AM. You will not wear your cap and gown during this event, but we ask that you dress appropriates as pictures will be taken.

PETITION TO GRADUATE
Students need to meet with their Academic Advisor in their respective College to begin the petition to graduate process. Petitions must be returned to the Registrar's Office no later than Friday, March 29. It is also important to note that graduation audits are completed in the order they are received in the Registrar's Office. Petitions to Graduate received after March 29 may not be processed in time for inclusion in the commencement program.

FINAL EXAMINATIONS
Final examinations for all students will be held the following week of May 6-10. Students must leave the residence hall within 48 hours after their last exam unless arrangements are made through the Residential Life Office. Residence Halls close Saturday, May 11 at 3:00 PM.

Book Buy-Back and Rental Return

Students have an opportunity to sell many of their books at the end of each semester. Book buy-back is scheduled Monday, April 29 - Saturday, May 11, 2019, in front of the VU Bookstore during normal hours of operation. Rental books are to be returned to the Bookstore during this time. If rental books are not returned by May 11, penalty charges will be added to the student's account and/or students can be charged the full amount of the book. This could also hold up the release of diploma, transcripts, and grades.