Commencement Ceremony Etiquette

Pasco-Hernando State College's commencement ceremony is a meaningful and memorable occasion designed to honor the accomplishment of the entire graduating class. To ensure that the ceremony is formal and respectful, graduates and guests are asked to follow commencement protocol. Please review the following commencement etiquette in advance of the ceremony. 

• Graduates and guests should dress appropriately for this time honored tradition. 
  • Unacceptable attire include: 
    • Jeans
    • Shorts
    • Tank tops
    • T-Shirts
    • Flip flops
    • Sneakers
       
• Please keep all personal effects (i/e/ purses) with you at all times. 
  • Check in staff are not able to watch graduates' personal belongings during the ceremony. 
     
• Excessive noise obstructs the announcement of the graduate's names, ruining the moment and slowing the ceremony. 
  • Please refrain from: 
    • Using air horns
    • Yelling
    • Catcalls
    • whistling
       
• The ceremony cannot begin until all guests are seated. 
  • For safety reasons, unseated guests will be asked to clear the aisles until the commencement party has been seated. 
     
• Children who cry, can't remain seated quietly, or otherwise cause a distrubance, disrupt the ceremony. 
  • No noisy or unruly children
  • They, and their responsible adult, will be asked to wait outside with accompanying guests. 
     
• Remain seated during the ceremony. 
  • Family members and friends of all graduates deserve to enjoy the ceremony without straining to see. 
     
• Please stay seated until all graduates have exited the gymnasium. 
  • Guests leaving beforehand unceremoniously trap graduates in the crowd, preventing them from participating in the departing processional with classmates. 
     

By following these rules of etiquette and sharing them with your guests, commencement will be a pleasant and memorable experience for everyone. 

Congratulations! We look forward to seeing you at commencement.