WGU ALUMNI
WGU Virtual Commencement Video Submission Instructions
Instructions
By submitting a video clip, you grant Western Governors University (WGU) permission to use the video clip as part of WGU’s virtual commencement and in any subsequent WGU broadcast or communication.
Step 1: Please read the entire page before starting your video recording. This will help you with setup, recording, and uploading your video for virtual commencement.
Step 2: View instructional video pictured here.
Step 3: Create video and upload.
Before Recording:
Setup
- Ensure your background is clutter-free. Use a solid background if possible.
- Outdoor backgrounds are permitted.
- Secure your camera for a still video (e.g. use a tripod, books, etc. to stabilize your phone/camera).
- Remember to position your equipment for a landscape/horizontal shot (see example below).
Video
- Avoid large strong light sources like direct sunlight from a window or a can light in a low ceiling.
- Film in an evenly lit room.
- Fluorescent office is a good example of even lighting.
If you have any questions, please contact us at commencement@wgu.edu.
Video Requirements
- You can view a sample of the individual video clip that will be produced for every graduate who submits a video. WGU will add your recorded name and degree to the video.
- Record your 10 second video in landscape/horizontal mode (See graduate regalia guidelines below).
- Still photos (.jpeg files) will be not be accepted.
- Do not hold any signs or banners in the video.
- Do not use any filters or effects such as boomerang or slow motion.
- Only the graduate is permitted in the graduate video clip.
- No pets of any kind can be included in the video clip, with the exception of service animals.
- Make sure your image in the video frame captures you like the example above.
- Make sure your face is visible. Avoid shadows or dark rooms.
- You may be seated or standing in your video.
Graduate Regalia (Cap and Gown)
For graduates who are unable to purchase regalia:
- We encourage you to wear business professional dress attire rather than casual clothing. Click here for a sample.
- Please note, shirts must not have writing, graphics, or statements of any kind.
For graduates who purchased regalia:
- Proudly wear your WGU graduate regalia in your individual video clip.
- Only WGU official graduate regalia is permitted. The official regalia color is NAVY, which can be purchased from our regalia vendor, Oak Hall Cap and Gown.
WGU approved academic attire:
- Bachelor’s degrees: a cap, gown, and tassel.
- Master’s degrees: a cap, master’s gown, and tassel. Graduates will need a hood specific to their degree.
IMPORTANT:
- Wear your tassel on your LEFT.
- Ensure your gown is fully zipped and your cap is on correctly with the elastic gathering and the point in the back.
- We encourage you to wear comfortable, yet professional dress attire under your gown rather than casual clothing. WGU graduates affiliated with an academic honor society may wear society pins, leis and corsages, graduates should not wear other items or decorations on their academic regalia.
See the videos below for more information on how to wear your bachelor’s or master’s cap and gown.
Master's Ceremony:
Bachelor's Ceremony:
Master's Hood
- Use this photo to ensure you are wearing your master's hood correctly.
- Make sure the velvet color for your degree is facing up.
- Ask help from another person if you are having difficulty positioning the hood correctly.
Cap Placement and Decoration
- Make sure your cap is on correctly.
- The board is parallel to the ground.
- The point (see picture) is in the back.
- Take into consideration the following if decorating your cap for commencement: WGU does not allow content on caps that is considered, in WGU’s sole discretion, obscene, vulgar, defamatory, hateful, inappropriate, profane or that might disregard another’s copyright or third-party rights. All decorations must lie flat on the cap.
Graduate Video Clip Guidelines
- Each graduate who submits a video clip understands and agrees that the video clip is subject to these guidelines. All video clip submissions will be reviewed and flagged for inappropriate content. If a video is deemed inappropriate, has technical issues, or guidelines were not followed, by WGU in its sole discretion, the video clip will not be accepted, and graduates will be asked to record a new video clip. Please note, graduates asked to re-record who do not comply with these guidelines may not appear in the virtual commencement.
- WGU does not allow the following content that is considered inappropriate, which includes but is not limited to: nudity or sexual content, harmful or dangerous content (e.g. suicide references, drug references and/or drug use), hateful content, graphic or violent content, offensive language, threats or harassment (e.g. profanity and use of racial or ethnic slurs), criminal acts and references to criminal acts, political references, copyright infringement, privacy infringement, and child safety infringement.
Video Upload Instructions
- Refer to the instructional video on how to transfer your recording to the Dropbox folder.
- All communications will be sent to the email address you listed on your RSVP form.
- IMPORTANT: Please enter your FIRST and LAST NAME.
- You will receive a confirmation email from Dropbox once your video has been uploaded and another email from WGU Commencement once your video has been approved. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please email commencement@wgu.edu to confirm receipt and approval of your video clip Questions or need help? Email us at: commencement@wgu.edu
- Please do not delay submitting your video for the conferral of degrees (reading of graduate names). If there is an issue with your video, such as lighting, regalia, or video quality, your video may be rejected without the proper time to re-record your video. Due to production timelines, we are unable to accept video submissions after the deadline.
