Graduate Fall Commencement

Fall Commencement Ceremony 

Saturday, December 19, 2020
11:00 a.m.
The Art Kamangar Center at The Merced Theatre

Schedule

Commencement Participation Requirements

Graduate Studies candidates may participate in two ceremonies if master's and doctoral degrees are conferred in separate years. Students who complete their degree requirements in a fall semester are eligible to participate in Commencement in the spring following their completion date.

Students must confirm their Commencement participation when submitting their Graduation Application. 

Tickets & Seating

Tickets are required for admittance to all ceremonies.

A livestream of the ceremonies will also be available for viewing on the Commencement website.

Participating candidates will receive up to four guest tickets for the Fall ceremony. If you do not need all of your guest tickets, please give the unnecessary tickets back to the representative at the ticket desk. Tickets are not transferable and may not be sold.

If you cannot pick-up your tickets, you can have someone pick them up for you. Authorization with your first and last name, student ID number and the name of the individual who will be picking up your tickets and parking passes is required to be emailed to commencement@ucmerced.edu in advance. 

Regalia

Full regalia must be worn by all participants.  Masters' and doctorate regalia can be purchased or rented at Grad Fair or directly through the Campus Store. Be sure to order your regalia as soon as possible to ensure that it will arrive on time.

Hooding

There will be a demonstration on the day of commencement, prior to the ceremony regarding hooding details for both PhD candidates and faculty advisors. Confirm that your faculty advisor is participating in your ceremony. If your faculty advisor cannot attend, you may select another UC Merced faculty member to hood you. Once you have confirmed who will hood you, email commencement@ucmerced.edu with your name, your school and the name of faculty member who will hood you.

Arrival Time

Participants must arrive at the robing location no later than 10:30 a.m. for Fall Commencement. Please give yourself at least 20 minutes to get from the parking lot to the robing location.

Parking and Transit

Parking permits are not required for Fall Commencement. Please utilize public parking in the downtown area.

Food and Beverage

Food and beverages will not be sold at the event venue, please plan accordingly.

Candidate Portraits

GradImages will be taking candidate photos during the ceremony. The service is free to candidates and there is no obligation to purchase. Proofs will be sent via email and are available online within 48 hours. If desired, you have the option of ordering from a variety of packages. For more information, visit gradimages.com.

Audience Courtesy and Safety

UC Merced is very proud of the accomplishments of each and every student and we want the ceremony to be a pleasant experience for all. We ask that you respect the rights and feelings of other participants and guests by remaining in your seat until all of the candidates have been recognized and the ceremony has concluded.

In consideration of the candidates, speakers, and the safety of all guests, the following items are prohibited:

• Air horns, beach balls, umbrellas, signs or other distracting items
• Tobacco products
• Alcohol
• Illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia
• Weapons of any kind including firearms and knives
• Drones (UAS - Unmanned Aircraft Systems) or other model aircraft
• Animals except for registered guide dogs
• Backpacks

Any prohibited items found in the venue will be confiscated. Additionally, cell phones should be turned off or on silent mode during the ceremony. Please consider the safety of others and do not stand in or block the aisles or walkways of the venue.