Downloads
The Undergraduate Commencement Handbook is available here for download. Also downloadable are seating maps, which are helpful for spotting grads and family members.
May 2013 Undergraduate Commencement Handbook
May 2013 Commencement Seating Map, Morning Ceremony
May 2013 Commencement Seating Map, Afternoon Ceremony
Change to Undergraduate Commencement
Candidates for undergraduate degrees in informatics and computing, journalism, and optometry will move from the afternoon undergraduate Commencement session to the morning session starting in May 2013. The College of Arts and Sciences will be the only school participating in Commencement exercises in the 3 p.m. session. All other schools will participate in the 10 a.m. session.
Read This Before Booking Your Hotel
Almost all May graduates take part in two events: their school’s recognition ceremony and formal Commencement exercises. In many cases, the recognition celebration is on one day and Commencement on another. You will want to take this into account when making travel plans and booking accommodations for Commencement weekend.
All About the Ceremonies
Spring 2013 Undergrad Ceremony
General Information
Alecia DeCoudreaux, president of the 161-year-old Mills College in Oakland, California, will speak at both ceremonies.
Candidates for all bachelor's degrees will graduate on Saturday, May 4, 2013, at one of two Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies in Assembly Hall (1001 E. 17th Street).
- The first session is from 10 a.m. to about 11:30 a.m.
- The second session is from 3 p.m. to about 4:30 p.m.
Eligibility to Graduate
Students who have completed the requirements for graduation by May 2013 and students who will complete the requirements by the end of the 2013 summer sessions are eligible to participate in Commencement ceremonies.
Candidates completing degree requirements between September 1 and December 31 participate in the December ceremony. There is no summer ceremony.
Invitations and Announcements
Printed invitations will be mailed to permanent student addresses in mid-March, after Spring Break.
Customized graduation announcements are available for purchase at the spring GradFair, and online at Herff Jones, the university's authorized Commencement vendor. Announcements include the student's name and the title of his or her degree, the major(s) and minor(s), and whether the student has qualified for honors. Announcements can be ordered at any time; please allow 10 to 14 days for printing and delivery.
Online Apparel Orders for Spring 2013 Commencement Are Closed
Students who do not pre-order apparel by March 29 may rent it on site on a first-come, first-served basis during distribution week. Complete information is available in the Caps and Gowns section.
