Commencement Ceremony
Fall 2024 Commencement is scheduled for Date: Friday, December 13, 2024
Location and Time: William P. Hytche Arena at 10:00AM.
Reporting Time: Graduates should report to the SSC Ballroom by 8:00 a.m. for a continental breakfast. The lineup begins at 9:00 a.m.
Doors open for guests at 8:30am / Doors close at 9:50am.
Rehearsal and Ticket Distribution
Rehearsal will be on Tuesday, December 10 at 2 pm. Students should meet in the SSC Ballroom. Graduates can pick up tickets from the Enrollment Management and Student Experience (Student Affairs) office located in the Student Service Center Room 2169 each day from 12 pm until 4:00pm until the day of Rehearsal. Tickets will be distributed after rehearsal from 2pm – 5pm. For those who cannot make it to rehearsal please pick up tickets at 9 am from the Enrollment Management and Student Experience Office Room 2169 of SSC ( Student Service Center).
Graduation Dress
Please wear your academic regalia at commencement and rehearsal. Order Regalia. If you still need to purchase your regalia, you can do so at the University Bookstore.
Parking and Shuttle Information
Parking on campus is free for commencement. Shuttle transportation will be available to and from Parking Lot S-College Backbone Road.
Best Parking for Hytche Arena:
- Lot B – Student Development Center
- Lot C – West of the Tennis Courts
- Lot D – Wicomico Hall
- Lot S – College Backbone Road
Participation in Commencement Eligibility
Students are precluded from participating in commencement by the Student Marshalls if they are impaired and not able to physically walk in commencement.
ADA Accommodations
For those requiring special assistance (must be done 1 week prior to commencement) to ensure accommodations:
- Use Parking Lot T – William P. Hytche Athletic Center for ADA parking.
- Staff will be stationed at the service road entrance (between Hytche Arena and the SSC loading dock) and the circle in front of SSC across from Lot S to assist with unloading and escorting guests.
Please contact ADA@umes.edu and copy EMSE@umes.edu or complete the accommodation form for assistance.
Mortar Board Policy
Students are precluded from participating in the ceremony without a cap (or gown). It is appropriate to adorn the mortar board with:
- Your graduation year.
- An expression of “thanks” to family, a teacher, a friend
- A symbol of the branch of the military you belong to or may be joining.
- Acknowledgment of an institution where you plan to continue your studies.
- Your home country’s flag.
- A logo or shield of your Greek social or honorary affiliation
- A symbol or message highlighting your major or student organization affiliation.
The following expressions are off limits and will result in confiscation of the cap and forfeiture of participation in the ceremony that your family and friends have traveled to campus to witness:
- Advertisements, symbols, abbreviations, initials, words, slogans or pictures that refer to drugs or controlled substances, tobacco, alcohol or weapons or are of a sexual nature.
- Symbols that denote an affiliation with gangs or advocate drug use, violence, illegal activity, or disruptive behavior detrimental to the safety and welfare of others.
- Messages that are obscene, profane, vulgar or lewd, or threaten the safety and welfare of any person.
- Numbers other than the graduation year.
Only the flat, top area of the cap may be decorated. Nothing should hang down from any of the sides. Decorations must be flat on the surface of the cap. Three-dimensional creations and lighting are prohibited.
Graduation caps will be reviewed and approved before the ceremony. Reach out to faculty and commencement day ushers with questions about your cap.
To review the entire policy please visit this website MORTAR BOARD POLICY.
All degree candidates must wear UMES regalia to walk at commencement.
Distribution of Diplomas
Diplomas will be mailed to each graduate approximately six to eight weeks following the Commencement ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed to the address listed on file with the Office of the Registrar. All graduating students are asked to check with the Office of the Registrar to make sure the correct and current address is on file.
