The one thing that is on many students' minds right now is not finals, but graduation.
With less then a month until students are able to cross that stage to get their diploma, there are many questions in mind. For example, where can one get their cap and gown?
Below is a list of needed information for graduating students about their special day.
Cap and Gown Distribution: Cap and gown distribution will be held from Monday, May 8, 2017 through Friday, May 12, 2017. The first two days of distribution (May 8 and May 9) is priority registration, when students who have ordered their cap and gown on the Jostens website AND received an order confirmation, will be able to pick up their cap and gown.
Students who go to Kean University on the main campus will pick up their items in Miron Student Center (MSC) room 228 on the dates mentioned above from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday.
Those who go to the Ocean County Campus will pick up their cap and gown in Gateway Building room 223 on the dates above, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday
All students picking up their cap and gown must present their Kean University I.D. The last day for pick ups is Monday, May 29, 2017; any remainder will be sent back to the manufacturer.
There will be no extra caps and gowns on the day of graduation at Prudential Center, so make sure to not leave them at home.
Commencement Day: All students graduating need to arrive at Prudential Center no later than 7 a.m. as the ceremony will start promptly at 8:30 a.m.
Students will line up for the processional in a designated area determined by which school their major is in. If a student is double majoring, they will go to their first major's school's designated area for the processional line up.
Wear comfortable clothing on graduation day, such as flat shoes, because there is going to be long periods of standing. The speaker for Undergraduate Commencement is ABC's Designated Survivor actor Kal Penn.
Parking: For those who will be driving to Prudential Center, please leave early to find parking. There will be designated parking areas for graduation. If in need of assistance, there will be guest services personnel and security to guide anyone to the parking lots and or Prudential Center. For a map of parking areas and more information, click here.
Public Transportation: For those who will not be driving to Prudential Center, there are several ways to get there with public transportation. Prudential Center is close to: NJ Transit trains, Light Rail, the NJ Transit buses, the Path and Amtrak. Newark Penn Station is located a few blocks away from Prudential Center. For more information about public transportation, go to the websites of NJ Transit, the Path and Amtrack.
Entrance: All graduating students will enter the Prudential Center through the Lafayette Tower at the corner of Mulberry and Lafayette streets.
Guests: Unlike previous years, there will be no tickets for guests to enter Prudential Center for the ceremony. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Just like the graduates, the doors for guests will open at 7 a.m., allowing guests to find a seat before the 8:30 a.m. procession.
There are luxury seats available at a cost. The luxury seats can accommodate up to 16 people. It includes televisions, high-back chairs and tables. Food service is optional. For more information about the luxury suits, contact Prudential Center.
Entrance: All guests will enter in either of two places: the Lafayette Street entrance or the Investors Bank Tower. The Investors Bank Tower is at located at the corner of Edison Place and Mulberry Street.
Diplomas: If a student has met the academic requirements and has no financial obligations, they will receive their diploma in the mail about two months after the graduation date.
Other Notes: Make sure to plan ahead for that day as the traffic will be heavy going to Prudential Center.
Prudential Center is located in Newark, N.J., not too far away from the Newark Penn Station. For more information about commencement, please visit the Kean University commencement page.
