Image of Class of 2024 grad cap

SAVE THE DATE

School of Management and Labor Relations
Convocation

Wednesday, May 15, 2024
10:00am ET
Jersey Mike's Arena

Information about SMLR's Convocation Ceremony

Our school convocation will honor all SMLR undergraduate and graduate students earning any of the following degrees in January, May or August 2024:  

  • Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management (BA HRM) *
  • Bachelor of Arts in Labor Studies and Employment Relations (BA LSER) *
  • Bachelor of Science in Labor and Employment Relations (BS LER)
  • Master of Human Resource Management (MHRM)
  • Master of Labor and Employment Relations (MLER)
  • PhD in Industrial Relations and Human Resources

* BA degrees are awarded by Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences and our majors are recognized at SMLR’s Convocation.


Note: Undergraduate students who need 12 credits or less to graduate and plan to enroll in the Summer 2024 session to complete these credits may be included in SMLR’s Convocation as expected August 2024 graduates. Inclusion in the convocation ceremony should not be construed as verification of graduation.

What's the Difference Between SMLR Convocation and Commencement?

The SMLR Convocation will be held Wednesday, May 15th at 10:00am in Jersey Mike's Arena. During this school-specific ceremony, each individual graduate of the School of Management and Labor Relations will have their name called as they walk across the stage. Watch the video of last year's SMLR Convocation to see an example of our ceremony.

The 258th Anniversary Commencement will be held Sunday, May 12th in SHI Stadium and celebrates all members of the Class of 2024 from Rutgers–New Brunswick and Rutgers Health at one large event. Details about Commencement can be found here: commencement.rutgers.edu. No individual student names are called.

Are you an SAS Student with a SMLR Major?

Undergraduate students in the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) majoring in Human Resource Management or Labor Studies & Employment Relations will be individually recognized at the SMLR convocation ceremony on Wednesday, May 15th, but you are eligible to attend one of the SAS ceremonies as well. You can attend both!


Important Student Information & Steps to Graduate

For ALL Students - Order Your Cap & Gown (Regalia)

Academic regalia (cap and gown) for the 2024 School of Management and Labor Relations Convocation and the 258th Anniversary Commencement ceremonies is available for online purchase now through March 31 via https://rutgersnbu.shopoakhalli.com/purchasewizard/Welcome
 
Online orders offer these delivery options:

  • Ship to store for no extra charge. Must order for ship to store by February 29 for pick up at Barnes & Noble starting April 4.
  • Ship to home for an additional delivery charge. Deadline to order with ship to home option is March 31.

Purchase regalia in-store OR pick up online orders at Barnes & Noble on Somerset Street beginning April 4.
 
Grad Fair will be held at Barnes & Noble on April 4 & 5 from 10am-6pm. 
Join in the festivities, come for a complimentary professional headshot, and meet with representatives for purchasing class rings, diploma frames, personalized announcements and more!

For UNDERGRADUATE Students

Step 1: Check your graduation date

Please check your graduation date to be sure it accurately reflects your degree completion through Degree Navigator. When you log in, you can see the date at the top right of the page in the box where your name, RUID, and NetID are listed. 

If you need to change your graduation date and are a SMLR student (Bachelor of Science in Labor and Employment Relations), complete this form. If you are a School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) student (Bachelor of Arts, Human Resource Management major or Labor Studies and Employment Relations major), please contact your advisor at SAS Advising and Academic Services.  


Step 2: Apply for your diploma

Don't forget to apply for your diploma as soon as possible for either May 2024 or August 2024. All students must complete this online process to graduate. May graduates have until May 15th to apply for their diploma. August graduates can complete the diploma application between April 15 – August 15. Click here to view all University deadlines for submission. 

Please note: All 2024 Graduates wishing to have their name included in the SMLR Convocation program must have the correct graduation date on their record by April 1 regardless of their graduation month.


Step 3: Clear any financial obligations

To learn more about financial holds and loan exit counseling, visit the Student Accounting, Billing, and Cashier Services website. Students will not receive their diploma until all financial holds are cleared.


Information about honor awards


Departmental Honors 

Bachelor students of the Human Resource Management program, Labor Studies and Employment Relations program, and Labor and Employment Relations program who achieve a 3.70 GPA or higher for coursework within their major will receive an excellence pin and a certificate upon graduation.

Latin Honors

The baccalaureate degree is conferred summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude for students achieving honors in the overall program of study at Rutgers University. All degree honors are determined by final cumulative GPA as listed below and are noted on the diploma and final transcript:

GPA Range

Degree Honor

3.850 - 4.000

summa cum laude

3.700 - 3.849

magna cum laude

3.500 - 3.699

cum laude

Note: Averages are not rounded to the next higher number in the calculation of honors.

Students earning the Bachelor of Science in Labor and Employment Relations who achieve overall program honors of summa or magna cum laude will receive white cords from the School of Management and Labor Relations. The School of Arts and Sciences awards the honor cords for Bachelor of Arts students majoring in Human Resource Management and/or Labor Studies and Employment Relations.

For GRADUATE STUDENTS

Step 1: Submit your degree candidacy form

Submit your Degree Candidacy Form as soon as possible for either May 2024 or August 2024. All graduate students must complete this form to graduate


Step 2: Apply for your diploma

Don't forget to apply for your diploma as soon as possible. All students must complete this online process to graduate.

  • SMLR Graduate Student Application Deadline for May 2024 graduates is April 1.
  • SMLR Graduate Student Application Deadline for August 2024 graduates is August 15.  

Please note: All 2024 Graduates wishing to have their name included in the SMLR Convocation program must apply for their diploma by April 1 regardless of their graduation month.


Step 3: Clear any financial obligations

To learn more about financial holds and loan exit counseling, visit the Student Accounting, Billing, and Cashier Services website. Students will not receive their diploma until all financial holds are cleared.


Information about Honor Awards

All SMLR master’s degree students achieving a 4.000 GPA within their program receive gold cords to adorn their regalia. Students who believe they are eligible for a cord should check their program records with their individual SMLR student counselor