- Commencement Ceremony
- Important Commencement Deadlines
- Important Commencement Information
- Ceremony Procedures for Graduates
- Policy on Commencement Ceremony Tickets
- Graduation Packet (.pdf)
- Valedictory Speakers
- Academic Regalia
- University Alma Mater
- Commencement and Degree Honors
- Petition to Graduate Form
- Contact Information
- Order Your Graduation Event DVD
- Past Ceremonies
Important Commencement Information
CEREMONY
Location: Neal Blaisdell Center, 777 Ward Ave., Honolulu
Graduating Student Check-In: 2 p.m., Blaisdell Exhibition Hall
Doors Open for Guests: 3 p.m., Blaisdell Arena
Graduate Line-up: 3:30 p.m., Blaisdell Exhibition Hall
Processional: 4 p.m., Blaisdell Arena
Exhibition Hall Viewing Room: Doors open approximately 30 minutes after processional
Guests not seated by 4 p.m. will be seated following the graduate processional.
PARKING
Parking is available for $6 at the Blaisdell Center if entering before 5 p.m. Parking after 5 p.m. is $7. Handicapped parking is available. Limited free or metered parking is available on city streets near the Blaisdell Center. Overflow parking is available at McKinley High School after 3:30 p.m.
DOORS
Arena doors will open at 3 p.m. Handicapped guests may be seated at 2:45 p.m. Guests not seated by 4 p.m. will be held at the door to be seated after the conclusion of the processional. Family and friends will not be able to enter the Exhibition Hall during student check-in and must wait on the concourse until the doors open.
TICKETS
Everyone, children included, will need a ticket for entry into the Blaisdell Arena. Tickets are not needed for the Exhibition Hall Viewing Room. For more information on ticket distribution, click on this link.
MOBILITY CHALLENGED (HANDICAPPED) SEATING
Limited Handicapped-accessible seating is available at the venue. Mobility challenged persons may be accompanied by up to three (3) able-bodied guests. Mobility challenged seating will begin at 2:45 p.m. To request for mobility challenged seating, please contact Ruby Okano at rokano@hpu.edu or (808) 544-9358.
VIP SEATING
The reserved VIP seating area will be designated with signage for guests of student valedictory speakers and university administrators only. Please check in at the VIP host table to be directed to the reserved seating area.
EXHIBITION HALL VIEWING ROOM
Enjoy the live viewing of the Commencement ceremony in the Exhibition Hall. Doors will open about 30 minutes after the processional. Tickets are not needed for entry.
EXHIBITION HALL AND POST CEREMONY MEET-AND-GREET
Following the processional, family and friends may sit and relax inside the Exhibition Hall and enjoy the live feed of commencement. Light refreshments and cookies will be served. Following the recessional, graduates may meet faculty, friends and family near signs designated with the first letter of your last name. The event will conclude at 8 p.m. If you do not wish to participate in the meet-and-greet, you may leave the Exhibition Hall following the conclusion of the recessional.
WEBCAST
The ceremony will be webcast live at www.hpu.edu/livegrad
HPU does not guarantee the quality of webcast.
CEREMONY LENGTH
The ceremony is anticipated to take up to 2.5 hours. The ceremony is not complete until the recessional has ended. We ask that all graduating students stay for the entire ceremony and recessional.
PHOTOGRAPHY
The ceremony will be professionally videotaped and photographed. A photographer will take individual photographs of graduates as they are recognized on stage. A free proof will be sent to graduates via email by Alumni and University Relations. All other photographs including candid’s and group shots may also be used online, within university collateral, and various marketing materials. If any student wishes to not have their picture taken, please send an email to Commencement Chair Jessica Walz at jwalz@hpu.edu by May 13, 2013 for Spring Commencement
Photographers and videographers are not allowed in the graduate seating section, near the stage, in aisles, or in handicapped seating sections. Security and ushers reserve the right to remove photographers and videographers from restricted areas. The audience may take photographs and videos from their seats.
OUTSIDE FOOD
No outside food or coolers are allowed at the Neal Blaisdell Center. Concession areas are open in the Exhibition Hall and Arena concourse.
SIGNAGE
Large signs, balloons, inflatable toys, noisemakers, and camera tripods are not allowed inside the Blaisdell Arena or Exhibition Hall. Guests may not bring any items that may infringe upon the view of other guests. Guests who do not comply may be denied entry by Arena ushers.
ALCOHOL
Alcohol is not allowed at the ceremony. Do not come to the ceremony under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. If your behavior is unacceptable or unsafe to you or others, HPU reserves the right to prohibit you from participating in the ceremony.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO
Photographers and videographers are not allowed in the graduate seating section, near the stage, in aisles, or in handicapped seating sections. Security and ushers reserve the right to remove photographers and videographers from restricted areas.
The ceremony will be professionally videotaped and photographed by university subcontractors.
CAPS AND GOWNS
You will be notified by email when caps and gowns are ready to pick up at the Downtown HPU Bookstore. Pick up your cap and gown prior to the day of graduation and check to make sure you have the appropriate attire before leaving the store.
Collars: The Bachelor/Associate set may include a white collar (women only) to attach to your gown. Collars are optional.
Hoods: The Master’s set should include a hood, which is worn draped down the back, colors folded out.
Tassels: These are looped around the button in the center of the cap and worn over the right side, and will be moved to the left side at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Caps: Caps should be worn with the mortarboard parallel with the ground, not set on an angle on the back of your head.
APPROPRIATE ATTIRE FOR GRADUATES
Please arrive to the Exhibition Hall dressed in your cap and gown. Dressing rooms are not available at the facility. For attire under the gown, we recommend dark pants and dark shoes for men, with a white or light-colored collared shirt. We recommend a dress or dark trousers and comfortable shoes for women. For safety reasons, please do not wear casual sandals or slippers. Please do not bring purses or bags to the Exhibition Hall. Leave valuables with a trusted friend or family member.
HONORS
Honors designated at the graduation ceremony include all grades through terms previously completed, but not the final term, due to the proximity of the ceremony date after final exams. HPU honors are cumulative and based on all coursework taken at all institutions. They should not be confused with membership in individual honor societies. If you have a question about your honors designation, contact Emily Williams at ewilliams@hpu.edu
LEI, HONOR CORDS, INTERNATIONAL GRADUATION SASHES AND CAP DECORATIONS
Graduates may wear lei, international graduation sashes and cords and medals representing academic honor societies. Graduates may decorate their caps within reason. Cap decorations must not include balloons or items that may infringe upon the view of other students in the graduate seating section.
(Updated MAY 8, 2013)
