Congratulations! Whether you’re a student or supporting a graduate, you’ve made it to the time where you’re thinking about graduation – that’s a big deal! We’re proud of you, and we’re glad you’re here.

Higher education uses many terms that aren’t a part of our day-to-day language. To help you navigate graduation and commencement, we pulled together a few terms that will be helpful to understand as you prepare to commemorate this milestone.


Academic Distinction

Also known as Latin Distinction. Undergraduate students can achieve three levels of extraordinary academic distinction: Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude, reflecting the top 6%, 3%, and 1% of the graduating class. These graduates are recognized with CSU’s gold cap and gown.

Academic Unit

An academic unit refers to a grouping that may house programs of study, colleges, departments, and/or special interdisciplinary units, such as the School of Public Health or School of Global Environmental Sustainability.

Alumni

The plural form of alum (or alumnus/alumna), which is a graduate or former student of a particular school, college, or university.

Commencement

Commencement is the formal ceremony that celebrates graduation. At CSU, there is one annual University-wide Commencement ceremony each spring. This is paired with smaller recognition ceremonies grouped by academic unit.

Degree Conferral

Degree conferral is the actual awarding of an academic degree, which includes posting to a student’s transcript and does not relate to commencement events. Degree conferral is the final seal of approval from the university that a student has completed all degree requirements. Following degree conferral, diplomas are mailed to students.

    • Students may participate in the commencement ceremony, but degrees are not officially awarded until the Office of the Registrar or Graduate School, as applicable, has reviewed and confirmed all requirements have been met.
    • Graduate students should contact the Graduate School for all degree conferral questions, while undergraduate students should contact the Office of the Registrar.

Diploma

A diploma is the official document awarded by the university for degree completion and conferral. Students will receive their diplomas by mail about 8-10 weeks after commencement.

Students receive diploma covers as a part of their recognition ceremonies, but the official diploma is received via mail from the registrar’s office once a student’s degree is conferred. Be sure to update your mailing address in your RAMweb account to ensure your diploma is received!

Graduation

Graduation refers to the time when students complete their degree credits; it is often used to refer to celebratory ceremonies, but the term graduation purely refers to the academic achievement, not the celebratory events. Commencement ceremonies are the events that students participate in. Students may graduate (i.e., complete their degree requirements) in the spring, summer, and fall semesters; undergraduates participate in commencement and recognition ceremonies once per year in the spring.

Latin Distinction

Also known as Academic Distinction. Undergraduate students can achieve three levels of extraordinary academic distinction: Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude, reflecting the top 6%, 3%, and 1% of the graduating class. These graduates are recognized with CSU’s gold cap and gown.

Processional

A processional refers to the formal entrance or march of participants into the venue. This typically includes graduates, faculty members, school administrators, and honored guests proceeding in a structured and ceremonial manner.

Provost

A Provost serves as the chief academic officer for the university, overseeing academic operations such as faculty hiring, curriculum, research, admissions, and retention.

Recessional

A recessional refers to the formal exit or departure of participants from the venue at the conclusion of the event. Similar to the processional, it is a structured and ceremonial march.

Recognition Ceremonies

Smaller ceremonies where students will cross the stage, have their names read, and receive their diploma covers are called recognition ceremonies. Recognition ceremonies are grouped by academic unit and complement the larger, University-wide Commencement event.

Regalia

Regalia is the traditional dress for graduates of academic institutions, typically including the cap, gown, and tassel, with additional elements added for student groups, academic status, or other achievements. Alongside graduates, university leaders wear regalia, including hoods, representing the institution where they received their highest degree.


Cords

Graduation cords serve as a symbol of academic or extracurricular achievement that students wear with their cap and gown at commencement and recognition ceremonies.


Hoods

Those with master’s or doctoral degrees are presented with hoods, often by academic mentors, to show their continued pursuit of knowledge. Hoods are an expression of tradition and used to communicate the wearer’s school, degree, and field of study.


Stoles

Similar to cords, a graduation stole is a decorative sash worn over a graduate’s shoulders with their cap and gown during ceremonies that represent honors or other affiliations, such as cultural centers, fraternities, or sororities.


Tams

A tam is an eight-sided velvet graduation cap with a tassel that is part of academic regalia worn by those earning doctoral degrees in place of the more well-known mortarboard cap.