Commencement ceremonies are important institutional ceremonies that are the culmination of a student's career at the University of Missouri St. Louis. These ceremonies are significant symbolic events for students and their families and, as such, require participation of the faculty as the ranking members of the academic community.
Participation in the commencement ceremonies of the University of Missouri-St. Louis is an expectation of benefits-eligible faculty (i.e., faculty employed .75 FTE or more). All full-time faculty are required to attend one commencement ceremony each calendar year and are encouraged to attend additional commencement ceremonies.
Part-time faculty and other special instructional and administrative personnel also are encouraged to participate in commencement ceremonies.
The dean of each academic unit participates in all commencement ceremonies unless prior arrangements for absence are made with the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
Faculty and administrators participating in commencement ceremonies are expected to wear appropriate academic regalia. Faculty are provided information on ordering academic regalia without cost to them prior to each commencement ceremony.