Your reader card is what will be used to read your name out loud as you cross the stage of the Bradley Arena. Reader cards will be issued on May 23 upon the graduate’s arrival at the Arena. Please write your name ont he card how it sounds so it can be more easily pronounced.

Use the QR code on the front of the reader card to complete your registration before the ceremony. Do not bend, fold, or tear your reader card. 

• Doors will open at 4 p.m. to the Graduate Programs Commencement Ceremony in the Arena of the Bill Bradley Sports and Recreation Center on May 22. The ceremony will begin at 5:15 p.m.
• Tickets are required for ALL GUESTS to attend the ceremony, including infants and children. Graduates do not need a ticket.  April 18 is the first day graduates may pick up guest tickets for the Ceremony on May 22. Graduates will able to obtain up to three guest tickets. Thereafter, tickets will be available for pick up through to May 8 from CSI on the 2^nd Floor of the Student Center. Pick up is available weekdays 8 am – 12 midnight, Saturday 4 pm – 10 pm, and Sunday 3 pm – 8 pm.
  • A photo ID is required when picking up guest tickets. Graduates are encouraged to take only the number of guest tickets they will actually need.
  • Graduates may NOT pick up tickets on someone else’s behalf.
  • At the time of pick-up, graduates will be able to request 1 additional guest ticket. Starting on May 9, all requests for additional tickets will be reviewed and, if space allows, additional tickets will be issued. Graduates will be
    notified via email.
• All attendees will be subject to a screening and bag check upon entry into the building.
• Balloons, beach balls, confetti, and noisemakers are not permitted.

• Click here for directions to Ramapo College.
• Parking will be available in the A-D lots. Handicap parking for those with State issued Handicap placards will be in Lot A-1.
• A drop-off area will be available directly outside of the Bill Bradley Sports and Recreation Center. To utilize this, you will need to use the North entrance (across from the baseball field) to campus.

• Graduates must report to Bill Bradley Sports and Recreation Center at 4 p.m. and should proceed to the entrance of the building that is across from the McBride House.
• Graduates should put their cap with tassel (on the left) and gown on before leaving their car. Hoods should be carried by the graduates.
• Graduates will be directed to the appropriate area to pick up their reader card and line-up. Your reader card is what will be used to read your name out loud during the ceremony.
• Graduates may sit with their friends and classmates within their specific Graduate Program. Friends should stand behind or in front of each other when lining up.
• The ceremony is expected to last 2 hours. After the ceremony, graduates will be directed to exit the building and meet their families outside on Cherry Lane.

• Doors to the Bill Bradley Sports and Recreation Center will open to guest at 4 p.m. Guests should proceed to the entrance of the building closest to the A-D parking lots. Guests will need to bring their tickets. 
• Seating for guests will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests will be directed to sit in the bleachers. Guests requiring special needs will be accommodated in the back rows of the arena floor. Staff will be available to assist you.
• Concession stands will have beverages and light snacks available for purchase. These are permitted in the arena.
• The ceremony is expected to last 2 hours. After the ceremony, guests will be directed to exit the building and meet their graduates outside on Cherry Lane.

Can’t attend the Ceremony but want to cheer on your graduate? The entire ceremony will be streamed live. On May 22, there will be a link for viewing on the Ramapo College Commencement webpage: www.ramapo.edu/commencement

If Spring 2024 is your last semester at Ramapo, your graduation application was due by Monday, April 1. Instructions on the graduation application process can be found on the Registrar’s website. A graduation application is required to earn your Ramapo degree regardless of participation in Commencement and related events. 

Please direct questions related to your eligibility to graduate, your graduation application, and/or the processing of your diploma to the Office of Registrar directly at grad@ramapo.edu

At this year’s Graduate Programs Commencement Ceremony, a representative from the Masters/Doctoral Class of 2024 will be asked to give greetings and a short address to those gathered for the occasion. You are invited to apply to be that representative provided you graduated in January 2024 or have a graduation application on file for June 2024 or August 2024. (Note: If you plan to graduate in June or August, you must have a graduation application on file before you submit this form.) If you are eligible and interested in applying for this honor, you should do the following:

1. Prepare a detailed address designed to last no more than three minutes. This address should extend greetings to the audience and contain remarks which are relevant to the occasion and of interest to a wide audience. You must submit the entire text of the speech. (See below for suggestions regarding things to consider when preparing your address.)
2. Please email a draft of your speech and an audio recording of you giving the speech as you would at Graduate Programs Commencement to commencement@ramapo.edu. The above materials must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on April 21, 2024. This email must include your full name, R#, program of study, cell phone, and home address.
3. After the deadline of April 21, 2024 at 4:30 p.m., a Selection Committee will review the submissions. (Note: The person selected will be notified via email and will be offered assistance in completing the final draft of the speech.)

*If you require disability related accommodations, please contact bwillia1@ramapo.edu at least 48 hours before the submission deadline so those accommodations can be made.

Examples of what the Selection Committee is looking for in a speech:

• Thoughtful and insightful writing and robust delivery
• A speech that is no longer than 3 minutes
• Understanding the mission, culture, and values of Ramapo as embodied in the experiences of the Class
  • Remember: There are 11 different Masters/Doctoral programs and more than 500 students enrolled in them!
• Connection between Ramapo experiences and the future
• Impact Ramapo has had on the lives of those in the Class
• Relevant humor (no “inside” jokes)

Regalia is required for participation in the Graduate Programs Commencement Ceremony on campus on Wednesday, May 22 and the Arching Ceremony on campus on Thursday, May 23.

Details:

• Masters Graduates
  • The Master’s package (for graduate students) is $95. It includes a maroon cap & gown, degree color tassel, zipper pull, and hood.
    • For more information and to place your online order, visit ramapo.shopoakhalli.com.
  • The deadline to order Master’s regalia was March 15 for pick up at Grad Fair on April 18.
  • The deadline to order Master’s regalia is April 22 for ship to home. 
• Doctoral Graduates
  • • The Doctoral package (for DNP students) was available via two options
      • Fine Quality Gown is $1,236.00. It includes a maroon gown with Fidelio velvet front panel and bars on the sleeves, a maroon velvet tam with gold tassel, and a hood.
        • For more information and to place your online order for the Fine Quality Gown, visit ramapo.shopoakhalli.com 
      • Souvenir Gown is $185. It includes a maroon gown, tam with tassel, and a hood.
        • For more information and to place your order for the souvenir gown, email bookstore@ramapo.edu.
    • The deadline to order Doctoral regalia was Sunday, March 10.

So, now what?

• If you did not attend the Grad Fair on Thursday, April 18, pre-ordered Regalia shipped to the campus, can now be picked up at the Ramapo Bookstore during normal business hours.  
• Any orders placed after March 15, will be shipped to your home address. 
• Stoles and Accessories can also be purchased at the Bookstore beginning April 23.
• Anyone who did not place an online order, please visit the Bookstore to make your purchase. There is a late fee for anyone purchasing after April 22 and sizes will be limited.

Please direct questions related to regalia (cap & gown) to bookstore@ramapo.edu.