SPRING 2021 PHOTO SESSIONS

What to know prior to the May 13 – 16 photo sessions

• How do I get my regalia?

Caps, gowns, tassels (and hoods for advanced degree students) are available at the UH Manoa Bookstore and online. 

• What should I bring with me?

Come wearing your regalia and remember to bring your name card and face mask. Your name card needs to be printed since it is given to the name reader while your photo is being taken. It cannot be shared on a digital device. 

• Do my guests and I need to do the Lumisight check before coming to campus?

Yes. You and your guests should be prepared to show an approval from the Lumisight app to report to campus. Commencement volunteers will be checking the app before you proceed to the line-up.

• Are there exceptions to the guest limit?

Due to the health and safety concerns still presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the associated State and County restrictions, each graduating student is allowed no more than two guests to accompany them during the in-person diploma presentation and photo session.The only exception to the guest limit are infants (children under 12 months old). 

• May I have someone else’s extra guest ticket?

There are no tickets for the event. Each graduating student is allowed two (2) guests. Only the graduate and their two guests will be allowed in Bachman Hall.  

• Where do I park? 

FREE parking will be available for all graduates and their guests at Zone 20 (the lower campus Stan Sheriff Parking structure). See parking map.

• Where do I get the latest COVID-19 travel information?

Click here, for the latest information about COVID-19 and Hawai’i travel restrictions.  

• How do I get a printed program?

We will have printed programs from Spring 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021 available at the photo sessions. Most Summer 2021 undergraduates will be printed in the Fall 2021 program.  Email graduate@hawaii.edu to request a copy.

• Will I get my diploma at the photo session?

You will get a diploma scroll at the photo session. Your diploma and diploma cover will be mailed to you. Degrees are conferred at the end of each semester and are posted to student records within 10 weeks of your semester of graduation. All diplomas and diploma covers are mailed via USPS to the mailing address noted in your student record within 10 weeks of your semester of graduation. Please ensure that your mailing address is correct. Click here, for more information.

What to know about the day of the photo sessions

• How many photos will I take?

Each student will have three photos taken by the commencement photographer, which will be available for viewing and purchase via an online link emailed shortly after the event:

○  one with your two guests;

○  one with the college/school dean;

○  and, one individually with your diploma scroll;

PhD students will follow a slightly different protocol from the other graduates. In lieu of taking a photo with the dean, PhD students will take a photo with their advisor or a member of their committee. They will not be hooded so should arrive wearing their hood. If a committee member is not available, the student will take a photo with the dean.

• How long will the session take?

The three photos should not take longer than 1-2 minutes. The wait time depends on how long the line is when you arrive. Please do not arrive any earlier than 15 minutes prior to the start of your session. See schedule posted on the commencement website.

• Do I need to wear a face mask during the photos?

You will be allowed to remove your face mask for the photos. There will be a plexi-glass divider between you and the administrator.

• What is announced while I’m taking my photo with the dean?

Your name will be read as it is printed on your name card. If you are a PhD student, your dissertation title will also be read. As a reminder, you must bring a hard copy of your name card.  We will not read your name off digital devices.

• Can other people besides my guests wait on campus to give me lei?

We recommend families meet the graduates off-site like at home or a restaurant. Campus is still closed to visitors so the only guests on campus should be the two accompanying you for photos.

• Will the photo session be live streamed?

No, but it will be recorded and available on the commencement site https://manoa.hawaii.edu/commencement/ shortly after the end of the semester. 

• How do I contact the photographer if I have questions about my photo proof or order? 

Send questions for Pictureman of Hawaii to cs@pmoh.com

General Information

• If I participate in the Spring 2021 photo opportunity, can I still participate in a future in-person ceremony at the Stan Sheriff Center?

Yes!  Once we are able to have in-person, campus-wide ceremonies again, you are welcome to come back to participate in a future ceremony. 

• How do I stay informed about commencement ceremonies after I graduate?  

In order to stay informed, you should keep your UH email address active. You need to do this BEFORE you graduate.  Click here, for more information. You may enroll NOW to keep your UH email account after graduation. You will need an active UH account to register for a future ceremony. 

• How do I get my diploma and diploma cover?

Diplomas and diploma covers are mailed out approximately 10 weeks after the semester ends Click here, for more information about diplomas and diploma covers.