Complete and submit the pink Commencement Questionnaire to the Registrar's Office no later than Wednesday, May 27. If you cannot locate the questionnaire that was sent to you, click here for a printable copy (pdf file).
Have a fully signed Application for Degree on file in the Registrar's Office
Have met or be on schedule to meet all academic degree requirements by the end of Spring Quarter 2009.
Have no "in-progress" grade for any course, even if course is not needed for graduation
Have no unpaid college bills
If taking or have taken coursework elsewhere, our office must have received either the official transcript or, as a temporary substitute, a copy of your schedule from the other institution that you are attending during Spring Quarter.

Tickets may be picked up in person in the Registrar's Office anytime between Wednesday, May 27 and Wednesday, June 10. If you wish to authorize someone to pick up your tickets for you, indicate the name of the person on the questionnaire. We do not mail tickets.

Explanation of 7 Ticket Maximum
Each participating graduate will be given 7 tickets for guests (the graduate doesn't need a ticket for admission). In comparison to other institutions, this is a reasonable allotment.

The Rike Center will accommodate 3500 guests, and in recent years approximately 500 graduates have participated in the Commencement ceremony. Simple calculation will show why the ticket number is 7 (7 x 500 = 3500).

Extra Tickets
Extra tickets will NOT be available. Please do not call to see if the situation has changed. There simply will be none this year.

Admission By Ticket Only
Each guest must present a ticket in order to be admitted to the Rike Center. As mentioned previously, graduating students do not need a ticket for admission.

Guest Seating Expectations
Please inform members of your party, particularly grandparents, that:

All seating is first-come, first-served (seating is not reserved)
Rike Center doors open at 11:00 a.m.
Most seating is open bleacher style without back support
Floor seating and large video screens are available in the back of the Rike Center on either side of the portable bleachers. (This seating may be preferable for those with young children or for those needing the back support of a chair.)
Guests will be sitting approximately 2 1/2 to 3 hours
The Rike Center will have portable air conditioning for this event.
Special needs guests will sit in a reserved area; a ticket issued to a special needs guest is considered to be part of the 7 ticket maximum
A toddler sitting on someone's lap must use 1 of the 7 tickets
Placing chairs in any location, standing in any location, sitting in aisles, etc., are fire code violations and will not be permitted

Television Replay/Video Purchase
The ceremony is taped by Westerville/Otterbein Community Access Channel WOCC-TV3 and rebroadcast in the Westerville area throughout the summer. The WOCC-TV3 Production Office also handles the purchase of graduation videos. For replay dates and times, or to purchase a video, please call (614) 823-1569.