Commencement 2020

Please save the date for the weekend of October 9-12, 2020, when we expect to celebrate in person the accomplishments of the Class of 2020. The hope is to have both the undergraduate and graduates ceremonies on Sunday, October 11, 2020.

While we have hotel blocks reserved for Fairfield University for the weekend of October 9-12, more information will follow regarding booking hotel arrangements.

As we continue planning for a new Commencement, we are exploring options to provide students with an in-person experience to not only commemorate their achievements, but also celebrate with their classmates. We will keep you posted as we put the finishing touches on these details.

Please monitor your student email inbox for updates regarding registration for Commencement weekend activities and RSVPing to participate in a ceremony. If you would like Commencement-related emails be sent to another email account, complete the form so we can stay in touch.

My Preferred Email Account

Yes, order your cap and gown in preparation to join us back on campus! For a limited time, Herff Jones is offering free shipping to home addresses. It takes approximately 20-30 days to receive upon submitting your order.

Order Your Cap and Gown

For students who have already placed orders to ship to campus, Herff Jones emailed you to collect your mailing address in order to re-direct your shipment home, free of charge. Search your inbox and spam for an email from: collegecs@herffjones.com and go to www.herffjones.com/homedelivery for more information. You will need your confirmation number handy.

While we very much hope that you will join us on your re-scheduled Commencement Day, we understand that you may not be able to.

• If you have ordered your regalia, but have not yet received your order, you may be able to cancel your order before it ships. To do so, go to: www.herffjones.com/collegereturns.
• If you have already received your regalia, all unopened packages may be returned to Herff Jones prior to the re-scheduled Commencement date. In order to process your return, please go to: www.herffjones.com/collegereturns.

As long as you have met the requirements to graduate, you will be “graduated” on May 17, 2020, regardless of a physical ceremony. For purposes of educational attainment verification, your graduation will be reflected on your transcript. While we hope you are able to participate in the rescheduled ceremony, your participation in the ceremony does not affect your ability to graduate.

Upon verification that your graduation requirements have been met, the Registrar will mail your diploma to the address provided on your graduation application. If you are scheduled to graduate in May, diplomas will be mailed out in early June. Additional related questions may be directed to registrar@fairfield.edu.

For limited time, Herff Jones is offering free shipping on all online orders for Framing Success Diploma Frames. In addition, they are offering the following discounts on Class of 2020 Fairfield University rings:

• Save $125 off 10K with code: HJFAIRFIELDU125
• Save $175 off 14K with code: HJFAIRFIELDU175
• Save $225 off 18K with code: HJFAIRFIELDU225

Order online at: http://herff.ly/fairfield

The 2020 Fairfield Manor Yearbook is the only permanent historical record of the 2019-2020 academic year at Fairfield University. This award-winning book includes thousands of photos as well as comprehensive sections on academia, residential and student life.

If you had your senior picture taken in the Fall 2019 semester, a 2020 Manor Yearbook is included in the cost of the $99, $109, and $119 senior portrait packages. You will receive the 2020 Manor Yearbook in late January 2021.

If you did NOT have your senior pictures taken in the Fall 2019 semester but would still like a copy of the yearbook, please make a check in the amount of $107.50 payable to Fairfield University and mail to

Box A, Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT 06824-5195

For questions, please contact Jim Fitzpatrick, Assistant Vice President for Auxiliary Services, at jfitzpatrick@fairfield.edu.

To ensure you receive all Commencement communications, please update your contact information, including your preferred email and mailing address, by July 8, 2020:

1. Go to www.fairfield.edu/alumnicommunity
2. Click “Register Now” under First Time Visitor.
3. Search by your first and last name.
4. Select your name and enter your student ID number when prompted.
5. Follow the prompts to set up your username and password.

In addition, updates will continue to be available at fairfield.edu/commencement.

Fairfield University is committed to having an in-person Commencement ceremony along with many of the additional events and receptions typically Commencement weekend. Our hope is that many of you will make the in-person ceremony. While we realize this may not be feasible for some portion of our graduates, graduation fees are always collected from all graduates, regardless of their participation in the ceremony and other Commencement events. The fee also covers the processing and mailing of diplomas. Therefore, graduation fees are not refundable.

If you have any Commencement-related questions that were not addressed on this FAQ page, please email commencement@fairfield.edu.