Hooding and Commencement Ceremony
4:30 p.m. Friday, May 12 • Georgia State University Sports Arena • 125 Decatur St., Atlanta GA 30303
Participants
All participants must report at 3:30 p.m. with your academic regalia to the Student Center East Ballroom located on the first floor at the corner of Gilmer and Piedmont streets. Marilyn Crouch, College of Law registrar, will meet you and point out your position in the processional. After receiving these instructions, you will proceed to the Sports Arena for the official processional.
During the hooding portion of the ceremony, when your name is announced, you should proceed to the hooding station where selected members of the faculty will affix an academic hood to your regalia. The ceremony itself will last about 90 minutes.
Regalia
All participants are required to wear appropriate academic regalia. Regalia will be available for rental from the University bookstore by ordering online. (Choose "Cap and Gown For All Students" to find Georgia State's regalia.)
The rental cost is $154.50 for your regalia, which includes cap, gown, hood and tassel. For more information, contact the bookstore directly at 404-413-9700.
Deadline to Order
The first deadline to order regalia online is Thursday, Feb. 16. The Graduation Fair will be held Monday-Tuesday, March 20-21, in the Student Center East Ballroom. Online ordering is through Tuesday, March 21, with final pickup Monday-Saturday, May 1-6, at the bookstore. The bookstore will have extras on hand if you miss both deadlines but can't guarantee preferred size.
Guest Admission and Announcements
Tickets are not required for admission and there are no reserved seats. Students will receive 15 free graduation announcements with parking and direction cards, which are available for pickup anytime after Thursday, March 16, at the Front Desk on the Ground Floor.
Main level seating is first-come, first-served from 3-4:15 p.m. To avoid disruption of the event, entry will be restricted to the upper level after 4:15 p.m.
Extracurricular Activities and Hooding Team Ballot Form
Each student may list up to four extracurricular activities in the official program. Complete the online form byTuesday, March 21.
In addition, each year the graduating class votes to decide which professors will serve on the hooding team. To vote for the hooding team, complete the form by Tuesday, March 21.
Parking
On the afternoon of the ceremony, parking will be available for your guests for a fee of $7 per vehicle in parking lots K, N and S. See map below for details.
Guests should allow at least 30 minutes for parking and entry into the Sports Arena. A parking map will be included in your invitations. For information on handicap parking accommodations contact Georgia State University Auxiliary Services at 404-413-9500.
The Sports Arena is located at 125 Decatur St., Atlanta GA 30303.