Graduate Information

Spring Commencement Ceremonies

Location: �ǿ��޴�ý Convocation Center

Wednesday, May 14

10 a.m. | Undergraduate Ceremony

College of Arts & Letters
University College

3 p.m. | Undergraduate Ceremony

Mike Cottrell College of Business
College of Science & Mathematics
Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental & Spatial Analysis (IESA)

Thursday, May 15

10 a.m. | Undergraduate Ceremony

College of Education
College of Health Sciences & Professions

7 p.m. | Graduate Ceremony

Ticket Information

The Spring 2025 Tassel Commencement Reservation portal will open by March 14 and will close on April 14.

Students will receive an email in their university inbox when the portal is ready to accept reservations.
Once the invitation email is received, an account must be created using your student email in to RSVP their attendance, receive guest tickets, and ensure the correct pronunciation of your name.
Tickets will be distributed electronically through the Tassel app and can be presented as a printed document or on a mobile device.

Note: You must claim your tickets before the Tassel Commencement Reservation portal closes

Students who do not RSVP their intent may not receive guest tickets. If you need to request additional tickets, you may do so on Tassel.

Ceremony Instructions

Graduates should park at the . There will be a shuttle running to the Convocation Center from this lot.
Report to the Check-In table located on the arena floor level of the one hour prior to the scheduled time for your commencement ceremony. Enter at the second level doors across the street from the Alumni House. There will be directional signage posted on the day of the event.
Upon check-in, you will receive your reader card. You must fill this card out and keep it with you throughout the ceremony. It will be used to announce your name as you cross the stage.
A professional photographer will be off the stage to the right of the President. You should plan to pause for a photograph.

Be sure that cell phones are turned off or silenced during the ceremony.
You will be seated by degree. If you claim your tickets late or arrive late for check-in, you will be placed in the back of the seating area.
Graduates that require special accommodations should contact us as soon as possible.

Note: All fees, fines, and other debts to the university must be paid three working days prior to commencement or your diploma will be withheld and your transcripts will not be mailed.

Regalia

Graduation regalia includes the cap and gown, as well as other distinguishing hoods, stoles and cords that denote traditions of academic achievement. Only those who have achieved an academic honor or are members of an academic honors society are entitled to wear the special regalia.

Graduates have two options when preparing to order regalia.

If the graduate elects to pick up their regalia at the �ǿ��޴�ý Bookstore, the deadline to order regalia is March 18.
If the graduate elects to have their regalia shipped directly to them, the deadline to order regalia is April 18.

Note: If this deadline is not met, graduates can purchase their regalia in-person directly from the �ǿ��޴�ý Bookstore. Gowns, caps, tassels and hoods (masters, specialist and honor) will be available to purchase separately. Graduates are strongly encouraged to purchase the regalia online since buying open stock will cost more.

Regalia Examples

Associate
Associate Degree Candidates

Traditional black gown

Caps are traditional mortarboards and tassels are black
Associate Degree Candidates with Distinction

With Distinction

Overall GPA 3.50 or higher

Bachelor's
Bachelor's Degree Candidates

Traditional black gown

Caps are traditional mortarboards and tassels are black

Blue and gold achievement stole

Please Note: The stole will come with your package from or may be purchased separately from the bookstore.
Honor Graduates

Honor Graduates will be able to purchase their honor cords from the bookstore. Cords are the selected adornment to designate an honor graduate under our regalia policy. Recognizing the considerable effort of the students who earn honors, the color of the cord will signify the level of honors:

Summa Cum Laude

Overall GPA 3.90-4.00

Magna Cum Laude

Overall GPA 3.70-3.89

Cum Laude

Overall GPA 3.50-3.69

Please Note: The designation of honors is based on the student's GPA from the previous semester. If you have questions on whether you are eligible to receive honors, please contact your campus Registrar's Office.

Master's
Master’s Degree Candidates

Traditional black gown with full-length square sleeves with a crescent piece hanging from each sleeve

The master’s hoods are lined in blue and white and

Caps are traditional mortarboards with tassels appropriate to their major

Graduate students carry their hoods over their arm and are hooded as a part of the commencement ceremony. The graduate hoods are part of the cap and gown order from . The color of the hood corresponds to the student's school and major.

Doctoral
Doctoral Degree Candidates

Black customized regalia with full rounded sleeves, velvet facing on the front and velvet bars on the sleeves

Hoods are lined with blue and white and

Doctoral candidates wear a tam

Doctoral students are hooded during the commencement ceremony. The doctoral hoods are part of the cap and gown order from . The color of the hood corresponds to the student's school and major.

Veteran or Military

Veteran or Military Graduates

If you are a graduating commissioning officer or veteran, you are eligible to wear academic regalia that notifies observers of this distinction. Additionally, if you are a commissioning officer, you should wear your Class A uniform.

Military Cord

Prohibited Items

Bag checks will be conducted at the doors for commencement ceremonies. Items that are prohibited at Commencement and those in possession will be asked to return it to a car or leave it at the door before entry.

Outside food or beverages of any kind
Glass or plastic bottles, cans, coolers, or containers
Alcoholic beverages
Tobacco, vaping products, illegal drugs or chemicals
Weapons of any kind (concealed weapons, firearms, knives, etc.)

Fireworks of any kind
Laser pointers
Helium balloons
Signs, flags, and banners
Seat cushions with backs or hardback seats
Noise makers, air horns, or whistles

Animals (excluding service animals)
Unapproved pamphlets, handouts, advertisements, etc.
Skateboards, roller blades, roller skates, roller shoes, etc.
Other items determined by arena security or staff

Graduate FAQs

What should I wear under my regalia?

Appropriate and encouraged attire under regalia is business attire with dark shoes or Class A uniforms (commissioning cadets only).

What time do I need to be at the Convocation Center?

You need to be in your regalia ready to check-in and be seated no later than one (1) hour prior to the start of your ceremony.

What if I do not have enough tickets to give my family/friends?

Additional tickets can be requested through on a first come first serve basis.

What am I allowed to bring with me to the ceremony?

All you need is your regalia. We discourage graduates from bringing bags with them. There will be a bag check at graduate check-in.

Note: that if you bring a bag, you will be required to have your bag checked.

Review the list of items that are prohibited at the 2024 Commencement ceremonies

What am I allowed to bring with me as I walk across the stage?
We ask that all graduates refrain from:

bringing additional parties with them as they walk across the stage to receive their diploma folder (no children, no pets).

bringing cell phones or other electronic devices across the stage.

displaying large flags, banners or signs before crossing the stage to avoid disrupting the occasion.

All personal belongings should be left in your seat or with your guests while you are participating in the ceremony.

Can I decorate my graduation cap?

Students are discouraged from decorating their mortarboards; however, if decorated, it must be minimal and non-distracting to the ceremony and other graduates. Mortarboards may be decorated on the top only, and any decorations must lie flat on the mortarboard. Nothing may hang or dangle from the mortarboard other than the University approved tassel. Please refer to the for more information about decorating your regalia.

Where should graduates park?

The Radar Ridge Rec Fields Lot (L64) is designated for graduates and faculty. There will be a shuttle running to the Convocation Center from this lot. Visit our event parking page for a detailed map.

Is there a rehearsal for commencement?

There will be no commencement rehearsal. All necessary information is provided to graduates via email or can be found on the Ceremony & Ticket Information page.

What ceremony am I in?

Commencement ceremonies are separated by college. Information about each ceremony is included on the Ceremony & Ticket Information page. If you are unsure of what college your degree is part of, please refer to the degree listing page. During the summer, all colleges graduate in the same ceremony.

I am an international student and I want my family to attend. What do I need to do?

Please contact The Center for Global Engagement.

How do I get the professional photographs that were taken of me when I crossed the stage?

�ǿ��޴�ý collaborates with GradImages to capture your special moment. You will receive an email from them with a link to your photo proofs about one week after your commencement ceremony. If more than two weeks have passed and you still haven’t received your link, you should reach out to directly to inquire about your photos.

Do I have to have a ticket for my ceremony?

Yes, you will receive an electronic ticket on which you can save on your mobile device or print out.

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