Herberger Institute Convocation

Convocations are graduation ceremonies held by ASU's institutes, colleges and schools to recognize graduates. The Herberger Institute holds convocation ceremonies in May and December during the same week as the university commencement ceremonies. University commencement and convocation ceremonies are special events for all involved. Please show respect for all who have come to share in the experience.

Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts Convocation
Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 9:00 am 
Desert Financial Arena (formerly Wells Fargo Arena)

To participate in convocation, graduates are required to RSVP! After you have applied for graduation, look for the "Graduation" tab on your MyASU page for a link to RSVP for the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts Convocation. The RSVP link closes on April 17, 2020. It is critical that we receive RSVPs from ALL of our graduates.

Spring convocation for the Herberger Institute is NOT a ticketed event. 

Convocation Ceremony Instructions: It is recommended that you arrive at least 45 minutes before the ceremony is scheduled to begin. It is required that students check-in and receive their reader card. This is the card that you hand to the reader before you cross the stage. If you arrive as the ceremony is beginning or after the event begins, you are not guaranteed a seat or that your name will be called. All graduating students should be checked in by 8:20 a.m. at the tents on the plaza between the Carson Student Athletic Center and the West Tunnel of Wells Fargo Arena. Check in will open at 7:45 a.m. ONLY GRADUATES AND FACULTY WILL BE ALLOWED INTO THIS AREA. After checking in, Undergraduates will proceed down the West Tunnel into Desert Financial Arena and must be in their seats by 8:45 a.m. Masters and Doctoral recipients will proceed to Carson Student Center and need to be in line by 8:40 a.m. Processional to the arena will begin at 8:45 a.m. There are no secure locations to dress or store personal belongings. Please avoid bringing any extra items with you beyond what you will need for the ceremony.

Guests:  Family and friends will not be allowed in the graduate line up area and should proceed to the Desert Financial Arena. Tickets are NOT required for entry. PLEASE NOTE: Only working staff, graduating students and authorized guests are allowed on the arena floor or near the stage. Unauthorized individuals will be escorted out of these areas to maintain the safety and security of the event.

Caps, Gowns and Regalia: Caps and gowns must be worn and are available at the Sun Devil Campus Store or available to purchase online at Herff Jones. The ASU Grad Fair will take place through March at all campuses at the Sun Devil Bookstore and will provide the only chance for students to order their caps and gowns at a discounted price. Check the ASU Grad Fair site for dates. Caps, Gowns and Regalia are all available to purchase through the Sun Devil Campus Store up until graduation. They will be available to purchase online through mid April. After that they may be purchased only at the bookstore. All graduates are required to wear the proper regalia in order to participate in the ceremony as detailed on the ASU graduation website. 

Honors Designations: If you are eligible for honor cords, you can pick them up at the Registrar’s office. Academic recognition is granted to undergraduate candidates only. Students must complete 56 or more hours of in-resident work at ASU's Tempe, West, Polytechnic and Downtown Phoenix campuses in addition to having the appropriate grade point average. For questions about the grading system, please see the Academic Senate and Assembly's Plus/Minus Grades Overview.

Master’s and Doctoral Candidates will be hooded at the Graduate Commencement ceremony. Graduate degree recipients will be  recognized at the Herberger Institute Convocation ceremony where their name is announced when they walk across the stage to be congratulated. Candidates should wear proper academic regalia, including hoods, to both ceremonies.

Parking and Transit: Prepare for heavy traffic coming to and around the venue. Plan your travel to the arena accordingly. Free parking is available in lots around the arena and in most parking areas on campuses the day of convocations. Parking will be restricted in residence halls and locations where special permits are required. Regular fees will be collected at meters and visitor lots. Disabled parking and a drop-off site for elderly guests will be available. You can view all ASU parking maps here. For detailed information on traffic and construction, please visit the City of Tempe website. 

Parking - Tempe Campus Interactive Map

Tempe Street Closures and Restrictions Site

Clear Bag Policy: The university has instituted a “Clear Bag Policy” for all Graduation venues. Please familiarize yourself with this policy as there will be no admission for those that do not follow this policy. Guidelines can be found at http://www.thesundevils.com/news/2016/7/26/tickets-clear-bag-policy.aspx.

Accessibilty and Disabilty Information can be found here. There will  be a sign language interpreter and closed captioning at the event.

Programs: Graduate names are not printed in the programs distributed at graduation ceremonies. In an effort to support university sustainability practices printed programs will not be distributed at the Herberger Insitutue Convocation ceremony. Graduate names are added after each semester's ceremonies have concluded. Those programs are available for viewing or ordering at https://graduation.asu.edu/commencement_programs. 

Grad Images Photography Information: Grad Images Photography is the official photographer of ASU commencement events. There is a pre-registration system, which allows you to provide your email and mailing address information before the ceremony. You can also add information for up to six family members. Pre-register now.

Announcements: Personalized graduation announcements may be purchased online through Herff Jones.

Flowers: Leis and bouquets will be sold at convocation. Students and guests are encouraged to pre-order for pick up before the ceremony so they can wear their leis on stage and in pictures.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Click the link above to find answers for some of the most frequently asked questions about graduation. Here are the answers for two we get often:

Difference between Commencement and Convocation: Many students wonder, what the difference is between Commencement and Convocation, and how they are different from graduation? Graduation is the action of completing your degree requirements. Commencement and Convocation are ceremonies to celebrate the accomplishment of graduation.

• Commencement is the University-wide ceremony for all graduating students and ASU holds commencement ceremonies in May and December.

• Convocations are graduation ceremonies held by ASU's institutes, colleges and schools to recognize graduates. The Herberger Institute holds convocation  ceremonies in May and December during the same week as the university commencement ceremonies.

Receiving Your Diploma: Diplomas are mailed approximately 10-12 weeks after the degree conferral date. Your diploma from ASU will include your name and the degree you have earned. The concentration is not included on your diploma, but is included on your transcript. For instance, students earning a Bachelor of Arts in Art degree with a concentration in Art History will receive a diploma that states, "Bachelor of Arts in Art" and students earning a Master of Music in Performance with a concentration in orchestral instruments will receive a diploma that states, "Master of Music in Performance." Your transcript will show your degree concentration which you also can list on your resume.

Still have a question? 

• Questions about graduation may be directed to the Graduation Office: 480-965-3256

• Questions about the University Commencement ceremonies may be directed to the Office of University Ceremonies: 480-965-3565

• Questions about the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts Convocation ceremony may be directed to the Office of Student Success: 480-965-4495

Future Dates and Live Broadcast Information