Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
What is the difference between the campus-wide and the individual college or school ceremonies?
A: Students from all colleges and schools
celebrate together at the campus-wide commencement ceremony with a
keynote speaker addressing graduates and their guests. During the
college and school ceremonies, each graduate is recognized individually.
We encourage graduates to participate in both ceremonies.
Q: What accommodations are available for a disabled or elderly guest who cannot walk very far?
A:
Campus-wide Ceremony:
The University of Maryland does not provide wheelchairs. There are long
hallways in the Comcast Center and much walking is required. If your
guest has difficulty walking long distances, please consider renting a
wheelchair from an
off-campus vendor before arriving.
There is an accessible seating area located behind the general seating
sections for elderly or disabled guests who cannot climb stairs. Due to
limited space, the university recommends that only the person with the
disability and one other guest sit in the accessible seating section.
Additional members of your party should sit in regular seating areas.
A:
Individual College and School Ceremonies:
The venue sites all have accessible entrances for guests. Some
individual college or school ceremonies may reserve special parking or
have a drop-off system for elderly or disabled guests. Please contact
the
individual college or school for further information.
Q: Where do guests park who have a state-issued disability parking permit?
A:
Campus-wide Ceremony:
Guests may park in any officially marked parking space. We have also
reserved a floor of the Terrapin Trail Garage (Lot TTG), located off of
Route 193 with easy access to the Comcast Center. If you do not have a
state-issued permit, you may contact the Office of Special Events at
301.405.4638 or
events@ur.umd.edu to obtain a special permit.
A:
Individual College and School Ceremonies:
Guests may park in any officially marked parking space. Some individual
college or school ceremonies may reserve special parking or have a
drop-off system for elderly or disabled guests. Please contact the
individual college or school for further information.
Q: A graduate or family member is deaf, hard of hearing
or needs special assistance. Will an interpreter or any other
accommodations be provided?
A:
Campus-wide Ceremony:
The campus-wide ceremony will be closed-captioned on the jumbo screens
in the Comcast Center. Sign language interpreters are available upon
request. Please contact the Disability Support Service at 310.314.7209
or
dhhs@umd.edu to make arrangements at least three weeks prior to commencement.
Guests who require accessible parking or special assistance at the
campus-wide ceremony may contact the Office of Special Events at
events@ur.umd.edu or 301.405.4638.
A:
Individual College and School Ceremonies:
For information regarding sign language interpreters, wheelchair
accessibility or other special-needs accommodations for individual
ceremonies, contact the
individual schools or colleges.
Q: Where do graduates and guests park for the campus-wide ceremony and the individual college or school ceremonies?
A:
Campus-wide Ceremony:
All parking is free and open during the two-day commencement
celebration. Cars parked legally will not be ticketed. All incoming
traffic for the campus-wide ceremony will be directed to the closest
parking to the Comcast Center.
A:
Individual College and School Ceremonies:
All parking is free and open during the two-day commencement
celebration. Cars parked legally will not be ticketed. For more
information regarding parking for the individual ceremonies, please
visit our
parking and transit guide.
Q: Are graduates required to wear academic regalia to participate in the commencement ceremonies?
A: Yes. The following items are required
for all graduates: cap, gown, departmental hood (Bachelor of Arts hood
has a white collar; Bachelor of Science hood has a gold collar), stole
of gratitude and tassel with the official medallion. These items are
sold as a package at the
University Book Center. Announcements are also available for purchase through the University Book Center.
Q: : Do graduates receive their diplomas at the campus-wide or at the individual college or school ceremonies?
A: Graduates do not receive a diploma
during the two-day commencement celebrations. Instead, graduates will
receive a commemorative poster at the individual ceremony. Diplomas
will be mailed several weeks later. Diplomas will also be posted to the
students' records through Diploma Services. Please contact Diploma
Services at 301.314.8270 for more information.
Q: : How do graduates know when and where their individual college or school ceremony will be?
A: The schedule of ceremonies is available
here.
Q: : Where and when should graduates report for the commencement ceremonies?
A:
Campus-wide Ceremony:
Graduates should plan to assemble by 11:45 a.m. in full academic regalia
in Lot 4B (directly behind the Comcast Center). You will line up by
college or school. The procession of graduates will begin promptly at
12:15 p.m. and the ceremony will begin promptly at 1 p.m.
A:
Individual College and School Ceremonies:
Graduates should plan to assemble in the designated line-up area at
least one hour prior to their individual ceremony. Some colleges,
schools and departments may require graduates to line up earlier. Please
contact you
individual college or school for more information.
Q: : Are graduates able to participate in commencement ceremonies if his or her coursework is not completed?
A: To participate in commencement, you
must have completed all your coursework and requirements. Please check
with your advisor for more information.
Q: : Will there be a rehearsal for graduates for the campus-wide or the individual ceremony?
A: There will be no rehearsals for the
campus-wide or the individual ceremonies. University coordinators will
be prepared to guide graduates on commencement day. For further
information concerning procession guidelines for the individual
ceremonies, please check with your
individual college or school.
Q: : Are tickets required for commencement ceremonies?
A:
Campus-wide Ceremony: Tickets are required for the campus-wide commencement ceremony. Graduates will receive up to
five tickets each
and can pick them up at the Comcast Center box office on Monday through
Friday between 8:30 a.m. and the 5 p.m. beginning April 29. Graduates
will be asked to show their student identification card.
A:
Individual College and School Ceremonies: Some individual ceremonies may have an RSVP system in place for graduates and guests. Please contact the
individual college or school for more information.
