Distance Learning Student Information

Information for May 2008

The deadline to submit a photo if you will be unable to attend commencement is Friday, April 18. Please see below for full details.

Process

All distance learning students who wish to participate in the commencement ceremony must follow the same process and meet the same deadlines as resident instruction (on-campus) students. It is recommended that distance learning students contact their site director as early in the process as possible to ensure proper completion of all requirements. Distance learning students who are not associated with a site should contact their primary ODU representative for this purpose.

Ticketing

Distance learning students must register for participation and the same ticket policies apply. When you complete the Commencement Participation Form, you will wish to answer "Yes" to being a distance learning student and enter your location. You will also be given the opportunity to have your tickets "held for will call." If you select will call service, you will not have to make a special trip to campus during ticket distribution. Instead, you will be able to pick up your tickets from the Ted Constant Convocation Center box office beginning two days prior to the ceremony up until 45 minutes before your ceremony. Tickets cannot be mailed for any reason.

Regalia

Herff Jones has a website which assists you in ordering the proper regalia and having it shipped to your home. Again, this saves you a special trip to Norfolk. Online regalia ordering is available February 12 - March 31 at http://www.herffjones.com/college/graduation

Other Purchases

The ODU Bookstore and Monarch Shop are open on the day of commencement for the purchasing of diploma frames and ODU merchandise. Personalized announcements are available via the Herff Jones website (see above).

Reception

There will be a reception for distance learning students and their families at the Gornto Teletechnet Center on the day of the ceremony, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Online RSVP is required. Click here to RSVP for the reception.

Graduates who cannot travel to Norfolk

If cannot attend commencement in Norfolk, please participate from a distance. Please provide a picture, which will be shown on a monitor in the Ted Constant Convocation Center as your name is called. The picture should be a headshot, similar to a passport photo. Please e-mail the photo as a JPG file to your site staff or Rob Curry in the Office of Distance Learning (rcurry@odu.edu). Deadline for photo submission is April 18. Please contact your site staff for information on local celebrations. Whether you participate in Norfolk or at a site, we hope you have a wonderful graduation. Congratulations on your achievement!