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Instructions for Students Participating in Spring Commencement

(Law graduates, please see the instructions on the Law Commencement Web site.)

When and where to arrive

Graduates should report in cap and gown to Hamilton Gymnasium (in the Ritchie Center) no later than one hour before the beginning of the ceremony. Entry will be permitted through the west doors only (across from the Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium).

  • Graduate Ceremony—Friday, June 6. Assemble by 4 p.m.

  • Undergraduate Ceremony—Saturday, June 7. Assemble by 9 a.m.

Graduate-smilingCap and gown

All graduates participating in Commencement are required to wear official University of Denver academic regalia.

Who can participate

Graduates of the fall 2007 and winter 2008 quarters and candidates for spring 2008 are eligible to participate in the Commencement exercises. Participation is optional.

Instructions for the ceremony

  • Processional march—Candidates will be arranged alphabetically by the degree sought. The procession will begin 20 minutes prior to the ceremony start time—at 4:40 p.m. for the graduate ceremony and 9:40 a.m. for the undergraduate ceremony.
  • Name cards—Candidates will each be given a card with their name, which they will later hand to the Reader as they step up onto the platform. Please indicate phonetic pronunciation of difficult names on the card. After handing their card to the Reader, candidates will walk across the platform to be greeted by the Chancellor and to receive a diploma case.
  • Food and alcoholic beverages—Because Commencement is a formal affair in which the University honors its students, it is considered inappropriate for food or alcoholic beverages to be present. Therefore, the University will remove any graduates from the processional who bring alcoholic beverages of any kind. Please do not spoil the commencement exercises for others.
  • For gentlemen—Gentlemen should remove their caps during the national anthem and invocation.
  • Throwing caps—For the safety of all students and guests, graduates should please refrain from tossing their caps into the air after the ceremony.

Instructions for your guests

A graduate celebrates with a family member

  • Tickets—Tickets are only necessary for the Undergraduate Ceremony. For more information, see Requesting Tickets. For the Law and Graduate ceremonies, seating for guests is not reserved and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Arriving early—Members of the audience should be seated 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony. No seating will take place during the procession.
  • Ceremony length—Ceremonies will last approximately two hours.
  • Photographs—In order to preserve the proper decorum of Commencement, and in order to comply with safety regulations, members of the audience are asked to refrain from taking photographs or videotaping from the aisles. A professional photographer and a professional videographer will capture the entire ceremony.
  • Family photographs—You'll be asked to return their caps and gowns immediately after the ceremony. If your family or friends would like to take personal photos with you in a cap and gown, please take them before the ceremony starts.

Diploma cases and diplomas

Diploma cases will be handed to degree candidates as they cross the stage during Commencement ceremonies. Provided holds are cleared, diplomas will be presented to doctoral graduates receiving degrees. Diplomas will be mailed to all other graduates within 8-10 weeks, provided graduation can be finalized and holds are cleared. An unofficial transcript will be included with the diploma. Degree candidates should confirm their address in accordance with the graduation instructions mailed to them by the Office of the Registrar.

Degree candidates not participating in Commencement may request a diploma case through the Office of the Registrar. The diploma cases will not be mailed.

Oversized diplomas and diploma frames are available from the University Bookstore. The bookstore also offers graduation announcements and class rings.

Graduates’ responsibilities

  • Graduation requirements—Candidates for degrees are responsible for successful completion of work affecting graduation. Graduating students are not excused from classes or final examinations. All financial obligations to the University must be met before the diploma is awarded.
  • Financial aid and financial office exit interviews—Graduating students who have borrowed a federal Direct or Stafford loan while attending the University of Denver are required to complete exit counseling online. Graduating students who have borrowed a federal Perkins loan are required to schedule an exit interview with the Bursar’s Office. Call 303-871-4901 to schedule. Stafford loan exit counseling is separate from Perkins loan exit counseling and completing one exit interview does not satisfy the requirement of the other. Both the Office of Financial Aid and the Bursar’s Office will send detailed information.
  • Post-graduation plans—The University is required by the U.S. Department of Education to gather information on the plans of its graduates. At the time you receive your cap and gown, you will be asked to complete a form on employment and/or graduate school plans. If you are not participating in Commencement, please contact the Career Center (303-871-2150), located in Driscoll Center South.

Mailed instructions

You can download PDF versions of the instruction letters that were mailed to all graduating students in late March. (The letters summarize the information above.)

For more information

If you have questions or need additional information: