December 11, 2020
To honor this year’s summer and fall graduates, Oakland University will host a virtual commencement celebration on Saturday, December 19. The pre-recorded event will be broadcast on OU’s YouTube channel starting at 10 a.m.
The broadcast will feature messages from regalia-clad OU leaders, including President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, and Interim Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Michelle Piskulich, along with OU Deans. The video will remain on the channel for on-demand viewing.
Diploma covers and honor cords
The Office for Student Involvement (OSI) Service Window is open for limited hours for all graduating students to pick up their diploma covers and earned honor cords (undergraduate students only receive cords) through Thursday, December 17. Students who are unsure about earned cords should contact their adviser. Doctoral students should contact their department regarding their hoods.
The OSI is located in the Oakland Center on the lower level and will be open the following hours:
- Monday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Tuesday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Wednesday: Noon-6 p.m.
- Thursday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Friday: Closed
Please note that all students must adhere to the following:
1. Fill out the Daily Health Screening Form before coming to campus.
2. Wear a mask while on campus.
3. Maintain social distancing while in the building.
4. Show their “green screen” at the window.
5. Only the graduating student will be allowed to pick up items
Caps and gowns
Caps and gowns may be purchased in person at the Barnes and Noble at OU Bookstore. This is not a requirement for the virtual celebration, but can be used if students want to take personal photos or have as a keepsake. Please call (248) 370-2404 to verify availability, as hours and stock may change. In addition, each graduate will be emailed an electronic gift, which includes a virtual cap and gown, and OU-themed digital backgrounds to use for photos. Students can access custom OU Grad social media filters by texting "ThisIsOU" to 58052 or clicking the following link directly on their mobile device: https://flmsr.io/
Virtual celebrations by departments
In addition to the university-wide commencement celebration, individual departments will be hosting separate celebrations (either pre-recorded videos or zoom events). Listings will be posted here as they become available. Students may also receive emails from their department regarding commencement celebration plans.
In-person celebration planned
Students will also have the option to come back for an in-person event to be held at a later date when all executive orders have expired. They will be notified of the date via their OU email account, which lasts one year after graduation.
Students should monitor their OU email for commencement-related updates. For additional information, visit oakland.edu/commencement.