Undergraduate Spring Commencement

Spring Commencement Ceremony

School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts
Saturday, May 16, 2020
9:00 a.m.
Carol Tomlinson-Keasey Quad

School of Engineering and School of Natural Sciences
Sunday, May 17, 2020
9:00 a.m.
Carol Tomlinson-Keasey Quad

Schedule

Commencement Participation Requirements

Each student may participate in only one ceremony as an undergraduate. Undergraduates may choose to participate in Commencement if they completed their degree requirements the prior fall, or if they anticipate completing their degree requirements in spring or summer.

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

Tickets & Seating

Spring Commencement participants will be notified via email in regards to Grad Fair information, including ticket pick-up. 

Tickets are required for admittance to all ceremonies. For Spring Commencement, guests who do not have tickets may stand along Scholars Lane and view the ceremony from there. Chairs, tents or canopies are not permitted on Scholars Lane or any other area, as they would represent safety hazards and could block emergency access lanes.

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

Participating candidates will receive up to six guest tickets for Spring ceremonies. 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 and is available for purchase during Grad Fair. More information will be provided at a later time. 

Arrival Time

Participants must arrive at the robing location no later than 8:00 a.m. for Spring Commencement. Please give yourself at least 30 minutes to get from the parking lot to the robing location.

Parking and Transit

Along with your tickets, Spring Commencement participants will receive two (2) Commencement parking permits, which includes one for yourself. Your regular UC Merced permits are not valid during ceremony arrival. Commencement parking permits MUST be visible on your car's dashboard through the front window in order to enter campus.

Infomation on ADA parking can be found on the General Information page. 

Food and Beverage

A limited variety of snacks and beverages will be available for purchase on campus (cash for purchases is strongly suggested). 

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