What will happen during the HGSE Virtual Commencement Ceremony on May 27?
Starting at 12:30 p.m. ET (subject to change), ending at 1:30 p.m. ET, HGSE's virtual ceremony for all programs will include a speech by the 2021 HGSE Student Speech Competition winner, the recognition of the 2021 HGSE Student Marshalls, the Phillys Strimling Award, and the HGSE Intellectual Contribution Award recipients. The ceremony will conclude with a speech by HGSE Dean Bridget Terry Long. Following the ceremony, programs will hold their virtual diploma ceremonies.
I am not interested in purchasing regalia but would still like to have a mortarboard for pictures. Can I order just the mortarboard?
The Coop only offers students the opportunity to purchase full regalia sets (robe, hood, mortarboard). However, the mortarboards that are shipped with the full regalia sets are generic mortarboards that can be purchased through other third-party vendors.
The timing of my program celebration is inconvenient for me/my guests. Is there a way to reschedule my program ceremony?
With students from all programs being spread throughout the world, the timing of these celebrations is certainly one of the major difficulties. There are some constraints from the University on how early we are able to start any of our ceremonies, so we are restricted to hosting events only in the afternoon on the 27th. We understand that not everyone will be able to view the ceremony at its original airtime, but recordings of all ceremonies will be available shortly following the completion of each ceremony.
How/when will get my diploma?
As part of the degree application process which will open in early March, students will provide a mailing address for their diplomas. Diplomas will be mailed by the vendor in mid-June. Students will also receive an electronic diploma, which will be sent to the HGSE email address, also in mid-June.
Will there be an in-person celebration?
The university plans to host an in-person celebration when it is safe to bring people together again. The hope is that the ceremony will have all of the pomp, circumstance, and tradition that is typical of a Harvard commencement and will include as many of the traditional campus festivities that typically precede commencement as possible. We ask for the community's patience while this plan is considered. It is premature at this time to talk about potential dates.