My USC Salkehatchie

Commencement Ceremony Details

Information for Graduates

Arrival & Check-In

Graduates should arrive at the Library and Academic Support Building no later than 9:30 a.m. to begin staging and final regalia checks. Please ensure you have your cap, gown, and any earned cords or stoles.

Regalia & Attire

• Ordering: If you have not yet secured your cap and gown, please visit the USC Salkehatchie Marketplace .  Student will not be allowed to partcipated in the ceremony without the appropriate regalia.
• Dress Code: While regalia is required, we recommend comfortable business-casual attire and sensible shoes, as there may be significant walking or standing involved.  

Honors Cords

Degree candidates, who are eligible for the distinction of graduating with "honors, high honors, or higests" honors, are entitled to wear gold honor cords as part of their commencement regalia.

The registrar's office verifies the honors a student has received and provides the campus shop with a current list of candidates eligible to wear honor cords in the commencement ceremony. Any questions regarding a candidate’s eligibility for honors should be addressed by the registrar’s office.

Applying for Graduation

Ensure your graduation application was submitted via Self Service Carolina. If you have questions regarding your degree status, contact the Registrar’s Office immediately.

If you have not done so already, please confirm your participation in the ceremony by completing the online form.

 

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For Parents & Guests

Seating & Tickets

• Tickets: Tickets are not required for this event. Seating is on a first come basis.  
• Arrival: Doors to the venue will open at 9:30 a.m. We recommend guests be seated by 10:15 a.m. to enjoy the processional.

Parking & Accessibility

To ensure a smooth experience for all graduates and guests, please take note of the following parking arrangements

• Follow the Signs: All designated parking areas will be clearly marked with signage as you enter the campus.
• Traffic Personnel: For the safety of our visitors and to maintain traffic flow, please follow the directions of the staff and security directing traffic. They will guide you to the closest available parking spaces.
• Shuttle Assistance: We want to ensure the ceremony is accessible to everyone. For those requiring assistance or with limited mobility, golf carts will be available to transport you from the parking lots directly to the venue entrance.

Live Stream

For family members and friends who cannot attend in person, the ceremony will be livestreamed on the USC Salkehatchie You Tube Channel.   A You Tube account is not required to view the stream.

Inclement Weather Plan

The comfort and safety of our graduates and their guests are our top priorities. Please take note of the following contingency plan:

• Venue Change: In the event of inclement weather, the commencement ceremony will be moved indoors to the Atrium at USC Salkehatchie.
• Stay Informed: Any necessary changes to the ceremony location or schedule will be posted immediately on the official campus website and our social media channels. We encourage all guests to check these platforms on the morning of May 1 if the weather appears uncertain.

Ceremony Etiquette

USC Salkehatchie honors each degree candidate’s accomplishment by reading their name during the ceremony. Each student is personally greeted by the Dean of USC Salkehatchie and Chancellor of Palmetto College.

During the degree conferral, each degree recipient’s family and friends would like to hear their graduate’s name read as they cross the stage.  Please hold your applause until the last name is read.  Guests will have a special time to celebrate their graduate’s achievements after the last name is called. In keeping with the solemn nature of the ceremony, guests are asked not to bring or use noisemakers.  Disruptive guests may be asked to leave the ceremony.

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Additional Information

Photography

Professional photos will be taken of each graduate as they cross the stage. The photos can be view and downloaded at no charge after the ceremony.  Pictures will be uploaded as they are received from the photographers, so check the link often  for new photos.  

Commencement Invitations and Souvenir Tassels

Graduation invitations and souvenir tassels are available for purchase through the USC Salkehatchie Marketplace. Graduates are encouraged to visit the marketplace website to view available items and place orders in advance of the ceremony.

Diplomas

Graduates will receive a diploma cover during the ceremony. Official diplomas will be mailed to the permanent address on file approximately 90 days after final grades are verified.  To update your diploma mailing address, verify it on your graduation application in my.sc.edu; for changes, email diplomas@sc.edu with your name, USC ID, and the updated
address. 

Your diploma will display your full name as it appears on your student record; confirm this on your graduation application in my.sc.edu; to correct, complete a Name Change form.

Transcripts

Degree Awarding Timeline

• Approval Process: It typically takes up to 30 days after the commencement ceremony for the university to submit all final degree approvals.
• Awarding Status: Once your degree is approved, it will be officially "Awarded" on your record within 3–5 business days.
• Important Note: To ensure your degree appears on your official record, wait to order your transcript until your degree status is listed as "Awarded" on your academic transcript in my.sc.edu.

How to Order Your Official Transcript

Official transcripts are managed through Parchment. The cost is $12.00 plus any applicable processing fees.

1. Log in to my.sc.edu.
2. Select the Salkehatchie login.
3. Navigate to the Student tab.
4. Select Official Transcript Record Request, then Transcript Request.
5. Click Access Parchment Transcript Ordering Site.
6. Complete your order via parchment.com (you will need your university email and full name).

By University policy, diplomas and transcripts will be held until all financial obligation to the University of South Carolina is satisfied.