2024 Ceremony Q and A
When and where do I apply for graduation?
Candidates must file with the Office of Enrollment Services to notify the University that they intend to graduate in May 2024. The application is located in Self-Service under Academics. Click on Graduation Overview where you will see your program and the link to Apply for Graduation. The Records Department will notify you if you meet degree requirements, shortly after you declare. A graduation application fee will be billed to your account and it will be noted in Self-Service on your student bill. The deadline to declare is March 15, 2024. Please note that if you miss the March 15 application deadline, there is no guarantee your name will be included in the Commencement program.
IMPORTANT: Active Student Status
You must be an Active student to log onto Self Service and apply for graduation. Please contact the Office of Enrollment Services for your campus to be re-admitted and become an Active student or for additional information. For students who missed two or more major semesters (FA/SP) you must visit the Admissions Office to be re-admitted.
Florham Campus (973) 443-8600
Metropolitan Campus (201) 692-2472
Enrollment Verification
The University no longer provides letters of invitation for relatives of graduates that are seeking visas. However, we do provide students with an Enrollment Verification which shows the anticipated graduation date. This document along with the graduation evaluation letter that students should have received from the Enrollment Services Office (registrar@fdu.edu), on or around the time of your graduation application, will facilitate your petition for a visa(s) for your relative(s). If you are unable to locate the Enrollment Verification in your email, please obtain the Enrollment Verification by visiting EnrollmentVerify – National Student Clearinghouse.
When and where is the ceremony being held?
The ceremony is being held at MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands, East Rutherford, N.J., on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. The Commencement ceremony begins at 9:30 AM. Candidates for graduation must arrive no later than 8 AM. You will be lined up according to your degree and by college. No family or guests are permitted in the graduate line-up area.
Family members and guests will enter through the Verizon gate. This gate opens at 7:30 AM.
The length of the ceremony is variable depending on the number of graduates who process, and thus graduates are advised to make post-commencement reservations and plans no earlier than 1:00 PM on the day of commencement.
Will the ceremony be streamed online?
Yes. Guests who are unable to attend the ceremony in person will be able to view the ceremony online by going to the commencement webpage the day of the ceremony.
Will an itinerary of the commencement ceremony be handed out?
While there are programs at the event, we do not hand out itineraries of the ceremony. It is expected that all graduates and their guests stay for the entirety of the ceremony, and we appreciate your commitment to do so.
Will guests require a ticket for admission to the ceremony?
All candidates for graduation can have an unlimited number of guests. Therefore, an admission ticket for the ceremony will not be required.
Will diplomas be distributed on stage?
No, the diploma will be mailed to the home address indicated on the declaration form. The diplomas will be mailed out to students starting late June.
Where and when do I pick up my academic regalia and announcements?
Candidates for graduation can pick up their academic regalia and Commencement announcements at their campus Grad Salute Program.
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Metropolitan Campus: |
Florham Campus: |
Can I pick up my academic regalia and announcements at another FDU campus, other than my primary campus?
Students will not be allowed to pick up their academic regalia and announcements at an FDU campus other than their primary campus. In other words, Florham Campus students must pick up their academic regalia and announcements at the Florham Campus, and Metropolitan Campus students must pick up their academic regalia and announcements at the Metropolitan Campus. No exceptions can be made.
All Partnership Program students and all students in online programs must go to the Metropolitan Campus Grad Salute or specify to have their regalia shipped to their home address when ordering.
How should I dress for the ceremony?
Dress should be appropriate for the occasion. It is recommended that the candidates for graduation wear business-casual attire. It is also recommended that they wear comfortable shoes, but not sneakers and not stiletto heels. Personal belongings should not be brought to the line-up area. Candidates for graduation will not be permitted to carry handbags, umbrellas, cameras, balloons or any other objects.
What if it rains?
FDU Commencement will be held at MetLife Stadium, rain or shine. If there is rain during the processional and/or ceremony, waterproof rain capes will be provided for the graduates and others seated in the open. Portions of stadium seating for guests are undercover and families and other guests may bring and use umbrellas during the ceremony.
Will there be a Commencement Rehearsal?
There will be no commencement rehearsal, but designated marshals will guide the candidates for graduation through the processional into their proper seating areas.
Where can guests stay overnight near the campus?
Please see Places to Stay page.
Navigating MetLife Stadium
Commencement Traffic Advisory
Please be advised that all participants in the Commencement ceremony at MetLife Stadium must be at the stadium by 8 am. Guests will enter the stadium via the Verizon Gate. Please be mindful of traffic for that time of day. For up-to-the-minute traffic updates, please visit www.511nj.org.
Driving Directions to MetLife Stadium
To use a GPS device, enter 50 Route 120, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
For turn-by-turn directions, enter MetLife Stadium, 1 MetLife Stadium Drive, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
From the Lincoln Tunnel: Follow Route 3 west to Route 120 north.
From the George Washington Bridge: Follow Interstate 95 south to the New Jersey Turnpike. Take the Turnpike’s western spur to the Sports Complex exit – 16W. This exit provides direct access to the Sports Complex parking areas.
Northbound on the New Jersey Turnpike: Take the western spur to exit 16W, which provides direct access to the Sports Complex parking areas. To The Arena from Turnpike North: After paying the toll at 16W, proceed straight on the exit ramp, over Route 3. Pass the ramps for Route 3 East and Route 3 West and continue until you enter Sports Complex property. Follow signs for MetLife Stadium.
Northbound on the Garden State Parkway: Follow the Parkway north to exit 153A and follow Route 3 east to the Sports Complex.
Southbound on the Garden State Parkway: Follow the Parkway south to exit 153 and follow Route 3 east to the Sports Complex. Alternate: Follow the Parkway south to exit 163 and follow Route 17 south to Paterson Plank Road. Take Paterson Plank Road east to the Sports Complex.
Eastbound on Route 80: Take exit 64 and follow Route 17 South to Paterson Plank Road to the Sports Complex.
Westbound on Route 80: Take exit 64B and follow Route 17 South to Paterson Plank Road to the Sports Complex.
Traffic using the Holland Tunnel and Brooklyn/Staten Island Bridge crossings and from lower Jersey City and Bayonne: Take the New Jersey Turnpike extension to the Turnpike. Take the Turnpike’s western spur to exit 16W.
Where will I be able to park?
Parking at the stadium is permitted in any of the areas except as posted. Handicapped parking is also provided by permit only. Guests will enter the stadium via the Verizon Gate.
Will services be provided for disabled persons at MetLife Stadium?
MetLife Stadium provides extensive accommodations for those with disabilities and the FDU commencement stage is wheelchair accessible. If you are a graduate who will need disability-related services please contact the Disability Support Services Office at your home campus. The telephone number for the Florham Campus DSS Office is (973) 443-8079 and the telephone number for the Metropolitan Campus DSS Office is (201) 692-2078.
If your guest requires disability-related accommodations, please contact ADA services at the MetLife Stadium at MetLife Stadium Guest Services.
Other questions?
For further questions or concerns, please contact your respective Dean of Students Office:
Florham Campus: (973) 443-8935
Metropolitan Campus: (201) 692-2190
For more questions regarding MetLife Stadium, follow these link to their Guest Services pages:
MetLife Stadium Guest Services