Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The in-person commencement ceremonies are held in Gross Memorial Coliseum and simultaneously broadcast Live on the Tiger Media Network. Additional information will be posted on the FHSU Facebook Page prior to the ceremonies.
Graduates who are unable to attend or watch the live ceremonies, can watch the Virtual Ceremonies for undergraduate and graduate students on the Tiger Media Network on Friday, December 15 at 2 pm and 4 pm (CT).
In-person ceremony
Graduates physically attend the graduation ceremonies held on the Fort Hays State University campus on the designated dates and times. The ceremonies are simultaneously streamed LIVE on the Tiger Media Network to allow guests unable to travel to campus to view the ceremonies in real time.
Virtual ceremony
Graduates unable to physically come to campus for the ceremonies, are recognized in a virtual ceremony on the Tiger Media Network on Friday, December 15. The undergraduate and graduate ceremonies will feature formal remarks from the President, Provost, Kansas Board of Regents member and deans. All graduates (including those attending the in person ceremonies) will have their name and degree appear on a slide on the screen as it is read by the Reader of Names.
Graduates can park in the Gross Memorial Coliseum parking lot until it is filled.
Please leave early to allow sufficient arrival time. Traffic can be heavy in the Gross Memorial Coliseum area for Commencement. In the event of inclement weather, parking will be restricted to the Gross Memorial Coliseum parking lot and on campus.
Shuttle bus service for those who park on campus will be provided to and from Gross Memorial Coliseum. Commencement Shuttle Stops will be at the following locations:
- Lot A2, near the College Drive entrance
- Lot D, near Malloy Hall
- Lot Q, between the fountain and the north driveway
- Lot J, near the Elm Street entrance
Access vans are available to transport passengers with disabilities who park on campus to and from Gross Memorial Coliseum Gates 2 and 3. After the event, vehicles leaving the parking lot at the north exits will be directed north. Those exiting south will be directed south.
Accessible seating
Seating is reserved on the entrance level of Gross Memorial Coliseum (GMC) for guests with accessibility needs. A commencement staff member will escort the individual(s) and one guest to the accessibility seating. Seating in this area is in high demand and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests needing this accommodation are encouraged to arrive early.
Deaf and hard of hearing
An ASL interpreter will be located near the left side of the stage and will be visible on the center screen.
Accessible parking
Drivers will find Gates 2 and 3, at the northwest and southwest corners, most convenient for dropping off passengers with disabilities.
Regalia (caps, gowns and tassels) is ordered for all graduates by the Victor E. Apparel and Gift Co. located on the University campus. Please use the online order form to request your regalia.
The Apparel store will email graduates to arrange their regalia pick up time.
If graduates are unable to arrange a time prior to the ceremony, the Apparel store will have regalia available for pick up the day of the ceremony located in the Robbins Center from 7:30am – 11:00 am (CT). The Center is located north of Gross Memorial Coliseum where the ceremonies are held.
Regalia may be shipped only to addresses outside of Hays. Shipping requests can be made through the online order form.
Students located outside of the United States please note that you may still request your regalia, but you are responsible for the shipping cost.
All of us at FHSU would love to see you in your regalia by posting your photos on Facebook, Instagram or the Kudoboard!
If you have any questions regarding your regalia please feel free to email the Victor E. Apparel and Gift Co. or call 785-628-4417.
| Height range | Fits up to |
|---|---|
| 4’9-4’11” | 150 lbs. |
| 5’0-5’2” | 170 lbs. |
| 5’3-5’5” | 190 lbs. |
| 5’6-5’8” | 270 lbs. |
| 5’9-5’11” | 295 lbs. |
| 6’0-6’2” | 320 lbs. |
| 6’3-6’5” | 345 lbs. |
| Plus-size gowns | |
| The Plus size gown will comfortably fit a bust/waist/hip measurement of 72”. If you do not need this much width in the body of the gown, but your weight is slightly higher than the ranges listed above, order the next gown length, ie., instead of 5’3-5’5”, order size 5’6-5’8”. | |
| P1 - 4’9-5’5” | Over 220 lbs. |
| P2 - 5’6-5’11” | Over 295 lbs. |
| P3 - 6’-6’5” | Over 350 lbs. |
You can order customized graduation announcements from Jostens or generic ones from the Victor E. Apparel and Gift Co.
No tickets are required to attend the ceremony.
Graduates will be directed to seating on the floor by Commencement Event Staff. Guests will be seated in the upper-level of Gross Memorial Coliseum. Accessibility seating is available on the floor on a first-come, first-served basis.
In order to participate in the ceremonies, potential graduates are required to:
- submit an "apply for program completion (APC)" form in Workday
- submit an RSVP form
- purchase regalia
An email with a RSVP form is sent to all potential undergraduate graduates at their FHSU email address or use the link above. Master's, Ed.S. and DNP graduates should contact the Graduate School. To participate in the on-campus, please submit the RSVP form prior to Monday, December 4, 2023.
Monday, December 4, 2023.
No. Commencement staff will be available the day of the ceremony to assist graduates to prepare for the line up and directions.
Graduates will receive their diploma 4-6 weeks at the conclusion of each term and the degrees have been officially awarded. Diplomas will be mailed to the primary address unless the graduate designates a Diploma Mailing Address within Workday.
FHSU will mail your diploma to your Primary Address listed in Workday unless you create or designate a different Diploma Mailing Address.
To create or designate a different Diploma Mailing Address, log into Workday, go to your Student Profile and access your Contacts to edit. Specific directions to either designate or create a different Diploma Mailing Address can be found in the Student Records section.
FHSU will use the city, state, and country (NOT street address or zip code) in the primary mailing address as your hometown. This hometown will appear next to your name in the Commencement Program that friends, family, and other graduates receive at the graduation ceremonies.
To create or designate a different Hometown Address, log into Workday, go to your Student Profile and access your Contacts to edit. Specific directions for either designating or creating a different hometown address can be found in the Student Records section.
There is no honors distinction for Master's, Ed.S., or Doctoral degrees.
For undergraduate students, honors are calculated based on students' cumulative (from all colleges attended) and FHSU grade point averages. Both the cumulative and the FHSU GPA must be at or above the required level in order to be recognized for graduating with honors.
The Registrar's Office provides honor cords for undergraduate students when they check-in on the day of the ceremony.
Yes. Family and friends can view a live stream of each ceremony by clicking on the live stream link located on the Tiger Media Network page. Ceremonies will also be recording for future viewings.
The Virtual ceremonies are in the same college order and then alphabetically by last name.