What to Expect, Part I: Pre-ceremony & line-up / / / Grads will receive an email one week before the ceremony with specific instructions for check in, but we'll try to cover what we can below.
ALL PHD, MFA and DNP CANDIDATES PLEASE DISREGARD. Info for Grad Hooding will vary and we'll share more about that ceremony soon!
GUESTS need a ticket for entry. Tickets are required for all guests over the age of 2 at all ceremonies. All Commencement ceremonies have assigned seating: section, row and seat location is specified on each individual ticket. You'll select these seats during ticket download starting May 20.
GRADS need their registration QR code in order to check in. Be prepared for a faster check-in process by having your QR code ready ahead of time. --- Don't worry, we'll give you instructions on how to access your QR code in a few weeks!
Grads should plan to arrive one hour and fifteen minutes prior to the start time for your ceremony.
Arriving 75 minutes before the ceremony allows time to clear security, check in, confirm your graduate info, make final adjustments to your regalia, find friends to sit next to and line up for the processional.
Graduates must be wearing approved appropriate regalia to participate in Commencement.
Graduate check-in takes place behind the Bren, near the tennis courts and Mesa Parking Structure. Directional signs will be posted throughout the area to help you get to the correct location. No guests or animals with the exception of trained service animals will be allowed in the graduate areas.
You'll need to pass through security magnetometers so pay attention to what's allowed/not allowed (listed on our website, coming soon to our IG). There may be long lines at certain times so plan accordingly. Prohibited items will need to be returned to your vehicle and note that while wallets and cell phones are allowed, large bags and purses are not. More on this soon!
After security, you'll need to check in at the tents along the grad area. There may be long lines depending on the time you arrive.
Graduates will be given a wristband once you're checked in and it must remain on your wrist through the end of the ceremony.
Once you're checked in, you'll be free to take photos, socialize with friends and peruse the @ucialumni booth until it's time to line up. Announcements will be made and volunteers in blue Commencement shirts will be in the grad area to direct you to the proper line.
Be advised that you will be spending your pre-ceremony time outside with limited shade. Water stations for graduates will be near the lineup area. You will also be standing for long periods of time, and will need to traverse some uneven ground, long walkways and steep stairs to get into the arena. PLEASE be sure you can walk/stand in your shoes and for your own sake, be sure to break in those shoes before Commencement day!
Restrooms will be available nearby for graduates. You'll need to exit security and go back through the security process again when you return.
Graduates line up by school and degree and can line up with their friends in the same school and degree. We don't line up graduates by alphabetical order. You'll line up two people wide in two lines to move to the arena. Masters candidates go first and bachelors are in a separate line behind them. For the ceremony processional, large banners with each participating school's name will be carried into the arena first, with the grads following behind in their lines.
Staff will be on site to assist graduates and there will be signs to show where specific school/degree lines are.
Once the lines are set and the ceremony is nearing start time, school lines will begin moving toward the arena. The front groups will stage at the bottom of the stairs and on the stairs, with everyone else lining the walkway leading to the arena.
There will be a number of photographers from Pro Pics, schools and yours truly around to capture the moments before the ceremony. Don't be afraid to smile for the cameras!
While the grads are staged outside the arena, you may hear the music cue up inside. The Mace Marshal will begin their journey to the stage to officially begin the ceremony proceedings.
Check back soon for What to Expect, Part II where we'll tell you more about seating and the first part of the ceremony.
