Student Activities, Inclusion & Leadership (SAIL)

Commencement Ceremony

Aims Community College Virtual Commencement
Friday, May 8, 2020 at 5 p.m.

Watch the Ceremony
Spanish version available here: Graduación Virtual en Español

Commencement Ceremony / Graduation FAQs

• What is a virtual commencement?

  A Virtual Commencement allows graduates, family, and friends to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2020. Although Aims has made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s in-person Commencement Ceremony, we are working diligently to put together a virtual experience to mark this special occasion.
  

• Do I need to register to participate in the virtual commencement?

  Yes, you will need to register to participate in the Aims Virtual Commencement Ceremony. This allows our commencement coordinators to collect important information from participants. It also permits graduates to create personal messages to be included in the virtual ceremony as well as upload their photos for display as their names are read by professional talent. If you have applied for graduation and are eligible, look for your invitation to register in your Aims email.

• Will my name be read at virtual commencement?

  Yes, your name will be read by professional voice talent, just as if you were walking across a physical stage. As your name is read, a personalized slide will be displayed with your name, honors, photo, and personal statement!

• Will I still receive my cap and gown I previously ordered from the bookstore or online from Herff-Jones?

  Caps and gowns that were ordered before the deadline will be shipped to you in a special grad package to the mailing address you have on file.

• Do I need a cap and gown to participate in the virtual ceremony?

  No, you do not need a cap and gown to participate in the virtual ceremony. 

• What are important deadlines I should be aware of?

  If you wish to participate in virtual commencement, you will need to register by Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. (MST). Instructions have been sent to your Aims email.

• So, is the in-person ceremony canceled?

  Based on guidance from CDC and others, we have made the very difficult decision to cancel the in-person ceremony. We are committed to honoring and celebrating your achievements in a meaningful way through our virtual commencement.

• Will I get a refund from Herff-Jones for any items I may have added to my graduation package that I have already paid for?

  The Aims Bookstore is waiting to hear back from Herff-Jones about the possibility of any refunds to students who paid extra for invitations or other items for which they may have been charged. 

• Will graduation requirements be adjusted in any way?

  No, students are still required to meet all requirements that are outlined in their catalog year.

• Do I still need to apply for Spring 2020 graduation?

  Yes, you do still need to apply if you have not already applied even though we will not be having a ceremony. This is the only way we can officially award your degree and/or certificate so that it is posted on your official transcript and has an official diploma and/or certificate printed. 

• Who do I notify if my plans for graduation have changed and I will no longer be graduating for the Spring 2020 term?

  Please email gradapp@aims.edu letting them know your graduation plans have changed. This way, your graduation application can either be moved to a new term or can be removed from the system and you can reapply for graduation once you have registered for your remaining course(s). 

• I need to change my preferred name and/or need to update my address for my diploma, how will I go about completing these forms and submitting them for processing?

  If you are able to, please complete an Information Change Form that can be found on the Forms Page of the website. If you can scan and email this form, send it to myenrollment@aims.edu to be processed. If you are unable to complete this form and get it scanned and emailed, send an email, from your Aims email, to myenrollment@aims.edu with the information you need updated. It must come from your Aims email for security purposes. 

• I need to declare the program I would like to graduate with, so I can submit a graduation application. Where do I find this form & how will I get this form submitted?

  If you are able to, complete a Major Change Form that can be found on the Forms Page of the website. If you can scan and email this form, send it to myenrollment@aims.edu to be processed. If you are unable to complete this form and get it scanned and emailed, send an email, from your Aims email, to myenrollment@aims.edu with the information you need updated. It must come from your Aims email for security purposes. Please make sure to include if you need to add this program to an existing program you are already declared in or if you would like to replace the existing program with this new one. 

• I am planning to transfer in the remaining credits for my program in order to graduate. What is the deadline to get an official transcript sent to Aims from the institution I am taking the course(s) from?

  Please visit the Aims Graduation Page for graduation deadlines for each term. If you have questions about graduation, please email gradapp@aims.edu. If you have questions regarding courses you would like to transfer back to Aims, please speak with your advisor or email transfer@aims.edu.

• Will I still graduate if I decide not to participate in the virtual ceremony?

  Graduation is not dependent on the ceremony. To graduate and have your degree and/or certificate conferred, all requirements must be completed by the graduation deadline for spring term. Please email gradapp@aims.edu letting them know your graduation plans have changed if you are unable to meet these deadlines.

• If I graduate this year, can I participate in 2021 Commencement?

  In response to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic Aims Community College has made the decision to move to an online Virtual Commencement ceremony to celebrate our graduates’ accomplishments for 2020.

  Students who graduate fall 2019, spring 2020 and summer 2020 were invited to participate in the Virtual Commencement ceremony. These students will not be able to walk in the 2021 ceremony unless they earn another degree or certificate from Aims Community College in the future.

• How will I get my diploma?

  All graduates will receive an electronic diploma to your Aims email account and paper diploma via mail after degrees have been conferred. For more information on when Spring 2020 diplomas will be mailed, visit the graduation page. If you need to update your mailing address, please fill out an Information Change Form that can be found on the Forms Page of the website. If you can scan and email this form, send it to myenrollment@aims.edu to be processed. If you are unable to complete this form and get it scanned and emailed, send an email, from your Aims email, to myenrollment@aims.edu with the information you need updated. It must come from your Aims email for security purposes.

• I have a graduation question, who do I contact?

  Please direct all graduation, degree completion, and diploma questions to gradapp@aims.edu.

  Please direct all virtual ceremony related questions to student.activities@aims.edu.