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Tickets

Tickets will not be required. Should you choose not to attend in person, the ceremony, in its entirety, will be live-streamed via the RMC website.    

Regalia

Regalia must be ordered through the . Regalia consists of the following and is sold as a set:

• Black Bachelors Gown
• Black Mortar Board
• Black Tassel
• Bachelor Hood: Bachelor of Arts – White, Bachelor of Science – Gold

Wondering how the Hood works?  *Please see information below on sponsors.

Honors Cords and Medals

Honor cords and medals representing Academic Honor Groups and Societies that are recognized by the College, and earned by the graduate, may also be worn during the Commencement Exercises.

Greek Stoles

Greek stoles representing membership in Greek Fraternities or Sororities recognized by the College may also be worn.

Sponsor

The traditions of sponsors and the hooding ceremony is a special part of the RMC ceremony.

A sponsor is someone special who will participate in the hooding ceremony and sit on the field with you. It can be anyone you choose –  a parent or other family member, friend, faculty member, coach, etc. The hooding ceremony is a point in the ceremony when your sponsor will place the academic hood (you’ll order it through the bookstore when you order your ) over your head and around your neck. This will be done en masse with your classmates and their sponsors shortly before you walk across the stage. Here is a  about how to hood your graduate.   

Rehearsal

We will not hold an in-person rehearsal. Instructions for where to report at 9 a.m. on Sunday will be sent individually via RMC email to each graduate.  Please be sure to check your email on Friday afternoon, May 24 for this important information.

Processional

Graduating seniors must be present PROMPTLY at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 26 on the Historic Old Campus to assemble in the proper order for the graduation ceremony. Seniors must have a cap and gown and their sponsor will carry their hoods; the tassel should hang on the right.   

Rain Plan

Commencement will be held outside rain or shine. However, should there be a threat of an electrical storm, the Commencement exercises will be delayed or canceled depending on the severity of the storm.

Please prepare for the possibility of rain with appropriate rain gear. Umbrellas will not be allowed for graduates in the procession. Umbrellas are also not allowed to be used in the seating area, to prevent obstruction. Graduates may wear ponchos or rain gear over your regalia, if needed. 

If needed, updates will be communicated in the following ways:

• Posted on rmc.edu homepage
• Sent to graduates via email. In particular, the location for the procession line-up may be changed, depending on the weather. Graduates and faculty should check your email in the morning (and graduates should communicate with sponsors regarding location). 
• Urgent weather alerts and/or changes to the time for commencement will also be sent via the College’s text alert system.  

**Please remember, RMC is a completely smoke and vape-free campus.  Please refrain from using these products while on campus. 

Parking

General Parking is available in the following lots:

• Day Field Lot
• New Tennis Courts
• Old Tennis Courts
• North Brock 
• Leachman (grass lot next to train station)
• Physical Plant
• 500 N. Center Street
• All Faculty / Staff spaces behind Counseling Center and Delta Zeta
• North & South Center Street on – street parking
• Calhoun Street (behind Copley)
• *Caroline Street (special needs parking by permit only)
• Henry Street (south end from Starr to Bennett only)

For your reference: Campus Map

*Parking for Persons with Disabilities is available along Caroline Street and a parking permit is required. Please contact Laura Frazho to request a parking permit. Requests must be made by Friday, May 17, 2024.