Commencement ceremonies would not be possible without the institution's extraordinary
faculty.
Each academic college's Lead Marshal works collaboratively with the dean, associate
dean, chairs, Commencement Committee, and Office of the Provost to coordinate through
nomination or expressed interest, faculty participation in Commencement. Faculty may
contact their respective college's lead marshals for ceremony information and details.
Faculty and the administration of each academic college play an important role in
the planning and execution of Commencement. Both degree candidates and the Office
of the Provost value the participation of faculty and staff of academic colleges.
participation FAQ
How do faculty typically participate in Commencement?
The process for determining who attends Commencement and in what role varies by college.
Generally speaking, participation primarily falls largely into two categories.
Members of the stage party
Members of the processing faculty
Within these categories, there are several special roles (e.g. marshals, name card
readers, and presenters) that faculty members fulfill during TU commencement ceremonies.
Can I serve as a Commencement volunteer if I do not want to join the faculty processional
or I am not in the stage party?
A third option for participating in Commencement is as part of the Volunteer Program.
Faculty members who choose not to march in the ceremony may volunteer as a member of the candidate relations, guest relations, or logistical teams. Those
who would like to participate in the Volunteer Program should respond to the call
for volunteers sent via email eight weeks prior to the ceremony. The Office of the
Provost coordinates all aspects of the Commencement Volunteer Program.
Who is my point of contact for participating in Commencement?
Specific details about your participation in Commencement are typically sent via email
from your college's lead marshal, a member of the Commencement Committee, or a representative
from the Office of the Provost prior to your college's ceremony.
If you are a faculty member from another college who would like to join the processional
in different ceremony in order to participate in a ceremony where a family member
is a degree candidate, please contact the lead marshal for the candidate's academic
college.
What safety and security protocols are in place for Commencement and how will it impact
me as a faculty participant?
Anyone entering Towson Center or SECU Arena (i.e. faculty, staff, degree candidates,
guests, etc.) will undergo handheld metal detection and bag checks. A TUPD officer will be present at every building entrance where metal detection
and bag checks take place.
Please allow extra time for the safety protocols.
Bags larger than 22 x 12 x 8 may not be taken into the ceremony.
Prohibited items (e.g. food, beverages, alcohol, pepper spray, noisemakers, etc.) are
not permitted in SECU Arena or the Towson Center.
Ceremony Day Information
Below you'll find commonly asked questions for both members of the faculty processional
and members of the stage party. Answers vary based upon whether you are a processing
faculty member or a member of the stage party.
processing faculty faq
Who is part of the faculty processional?
Faculty marshals, degree candidate marshals and faculty members who attend Commencement
and sit on the arena floor (in front of or next to degree candidates) during the ceremony
are members of the faculty processional.
How do I get a parking pass and where do I park?
Your college's lead marshal will give you a parking permit for Lot 21(see Commencement Parking map) prior to the ceremony. Instructions for parking, security protocols, arrival times, robing room locations and refreshments are printed on the back of
the pass.
Permits are limited and cannot be replaced if lost. Please display your parking passon your windshield when driving on campus so that you may park in the designated area. You will not be admitted to the lot without the designated parking pass.
Please arrive by 8:45 a.m. (for the morning ceremony) or 1:45 p.m. (for the afternoon
ceremony). All ceremony participants are subject to security screening at the building
entrance.
Where do I pick up my rental regalia?
If picking up rental regalia, please visit the University Store's regalia station
located at the rear corner of the Towson Center Gym.
Where is the Faculty Robing Room located?
Once inside and after picking up rental regalia (if applicable), please report directly
to the faculty robing room in Towson Center, Room 379 (new location). The faculty robing room is not secured during the ceremony to store belongings,
so valuable items, as well as briefcases and handbags should be stored in your locked
vehicle or left in another secure location.
What should I expect in the Faculty Robing Room?
College lead marshals and commencement staff members will be available upon arrival
to check faculty in and assist with robing and processional instructions.
After checking-in at the robing room, faculty members are encouraged to visit the candidate robing
room, which is located nearby in the Towson Center gymnasiums (staff will provide
directions to this area if needed).
Refreshments are provided for members of the faculty processional prior to each Commencement
ceremony. A variety of dietary options will be available.
All processing faculty members will line up for the processional into SECU Arena15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony (9:45 a.m. or 2:45 p.m.).
The Commencement procession will begin with the degree candidates at the stated ceremony
start time. Faculty process into the arena after the students and just before the stage
party.
What if I need an accommodation?
Processing faculty will spend approximately 20 minutes standing and walk a half a
mile (each way) from the Towson Center to the SECU Arena. We strongly recommended
that you wear comfortable shoes that day. However, if you cannot walk long distances,
stand for a period of time, or need another accommodation, please contact your college's
lead marshal, the member of the Commencement Committee assigned to your role, or Office
of the Provost representative to request alternate arrangements.
Do I have to attend a rehearsal?
No. Only grand marshals, VIP marshals, name card presenters and readers are required
to attend rehearsal the Tuesday prior to the ceremonies. Degree candidate marshals
and faculty marshals will meet with the ceremony coordinator prior to the start of
the ceremony to review the responsibilities of the role.
stage party faq
Who is a member of the stage party?
Members of the stage party include department chairpersons, program directors, Grand Marshals, VIP marshals, Name Readers,
Name Card Presenters and faculty members representing Senate, AAUP, TUSS, or another
university entity sit on stage during the ceremony with the President, Provost, Vice-Provost,
Vice-Presidents, General Counsel, Deans, Associate Deans, Board of Regent representative,
Board of Visitor representatives, Alumni Association representative, and GSA and SGA
representatives.
A representative from the Office of the President or Office of the Provost will contact
members of the stage party regarding participation in the ceremony approximately two months
prior to the ceremony to provide preliminary information.
How do I get a parking pass and where do I park?
The Office of the Provost will distribute your parking pass for Lot 20 (see Commencement Parking map) prior to the ceremony. Instructions for parking, security protocols, arrival times, robing room locations and refreshments are printed on the back of
the pass.
Permits are limited and cannot be replaced if lost. Please display your parking pass
on your windshield when driving on campus so that you may park in the designated area.
You will not be admitted to the lot without the designated parking pass.
When should I arrive on ceremony day?
Please arrive by 8:30 a.m. (for the morning ceremony) or 1:30 p.m. (for the afternoon
ceremony). All ceremony participants are subject to security screening at the building
entrance.
Where is the Stage Party Robing Room located?
The stage party robing room is located on the third floor of SECU Arena in the Multipurpose
Room (accessible via stairs or by elevator from the ground floor ). If you've requested
rental regalia, a robing room coordinator will assist you once you arrive in the robing
room.
What should I expect in the Stage Party Robing Room?
If you've rental regalia, the regalia will be in the stage party robing room. Please
do not go to another location to pick up rental regalia.
The stage party robing room is secured during the ceremony to store belongings and items such as briefcases and handbags if needed.
Lunch and refreshments are provided for members of the stage party prior to or immediately
following each Commencement ceremony. A variety of dietary options will be available.
What if I need an accomodation?
Members of the stage party will spend approximately 15 minutes standing and walk a
short distance from the robing room to the SECU Arena. We strongly recommended that
you wear comfortable shoes that day. However, if you cannot negotiate stairs, stand
for a period of time, or need another accommodation please contact the Office of the
Provost to make alternative arrangements.
Regalia Information
Faculty members who participate in the ceremony as part of the stage party or the
processional are required to wear academic regalia. Faculty may rent regalia from
the university's vendor, or borrow regalia from the Commencement Closet, an initiative
of the Office of the Provost.
regalia faqs
What is the process for borrowing regalia from Commencement Closet?
A loaner closet with regalia donated by retired faculty is available for faculty use. Please email commencement AT_TOWSON to submit a request to use regalia from this inventory. Requests are accommodated
on a first-come, first-served basis. While the loaner closet continues to grow, there
are a limited number of gowns available for borrowing. Prompt return of the regalia
allows those who manage the regalia to return it to inventory and clean and/or repair
items as necessary.
How do I rent a cap and gown from the university's regalia vendor?
Faculty mayrent regalia online beginning October 24 (for Winter) or March 1 (for Spring). All orders must be placed
by November 18 (for Winter) or April 8 (for Spring).
Once ordered, a representative from the University Store will ensure that your rented
regalia is waiting for you at the appropriate location (either the Towson Center gymnasiums
or behind the stage in SECU Arena based upon your role in the ceremony) on ceremony
day.
How much does it cost to rent regalia?
BEFORE 11/30 OR 4/8
AFTER 11/30 OR 4/8*
Master or Bachelor Gown, Hood, Cap & Tassel
$48.00
$73.00
Doctoral Gown, Hood, Cap & Tassel
$75.00
$100.00
Master or Bachelor Gown, Cap & Tassel
$25.00
$50.00
Master or Bachelor Hood, Cap & Tassel
$25.00
$50.00
Doctoral Gown, Cap & Tassel
$37.50
$62.50
Doctoral Hood & Cap
$37.50
$62.50
Master or Bachelor Gown
$25.00
$50.00
Doctoral Gown
$37.50
$62.50
Tam
$20.00
$45.00
Cap & Tassel
$6.50
$6.50
Black or Gold Tassel
$2.50
$2.50
*If ordering after this date, expedited shipping charges will apply