Commencement 2023: Important Information for Candidates

Students may pick up tickets with their cap and gown at the UConn Bookstore on the Storrs Campus. Each student will receive up to eight guest tickets. Children 4 years and older will require a guest ticket for entry to the ceremony. Due to space constraints at Gampel, no additional tickets will be issued.

Please note that there will be no rehearsal. On Sunday, May 7, proceed directly to the Greer Field House on Hillside Road so that you arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the start of your commencement ceremony. If you arrive later than this time, you will not be able to participate in the student processional and will be directed to graduating student seating in Gampel. Marshals and other volunteers will help form lines, lead the procession to Gampel Pavilion, and direct you through the process of having your name read and receiving your diploma cover. You will be congratulated, have your photograph taken, and returned to your seat. We expect that diplomas will be mailed within a few months. You must remain in your seat until the ceremony has concluded. The ceremony is expected to last approximately one and a half hours.

There will be a professional photographer at the ceremony taking photographs of all candidates as they are presented with their diploma covers. If you wish to receive a color proof, you must fill out the address card that will be provided to you during the ceremony. Proofs will be mailed to the address you provide on the card only if you fill out the card completely.

Members of the audience may take photographs from their seats. No tripods will be allowed in Gampel Pavilion. Members of the audience using hand-held cameras may take pictures during the ceremonies in designated areas. In order to accommodate everyone, individuals are requested to move to those areas for only a short interval and then return to their seats. Guests will not be permitted on the pavilion floor or in the areas designated for graduating students.

Before each student receives their diploma, their name will be read aloud. The back side of the student photography card will have space to write your name phonetically. In order for our readers to accurately pronounce your name, please print your name clearly. Our name readers do not see the names of graduating students in advance and rely on these cards to be able to correctly pronounce your name. Note that you will be “on camera” immediately following your name being read until you reach the table to receive your diploma cover.

After completion of all the exercises, the Dean, speakers, special guests, faculty, and staff will recess. Student will not recess. Student and guests will be asked to remain in their places until the recessional has been completed, and then walk up the stairs to the concourse level. Students will not be allowed onto the floor.

UConn will be hosting live-streams of all Commencement ceremonies. For those not able to obtain a guest ticket or make the trip to Storrs, both CLAS ceremonies will be live-streamed on the internet. The link to these streams can be found via the University Commencement webpage. Shortly after the live-streams are completed, video recordings will be available for on-demand watching via the same webpage.

Traffic may be heavy coming into Storrs and some traffic areas will be restricted on campus on Commencement day. Please allow extra travel time to arrive on campus, park, and be seated in Gampel Pavilion. There are many different Commencement ceremonies throughout the day, and this will result in significant traffic flow challenges.

The most convenient parking will be available at no cost in North and South parking garages on Commencement day. Vehicles with official handicapped parking permits from a state Motor Vehicle Department can be parked on the ground level of the garage. Traffic will be closed on Jim Calhoun Way between the South parking garage and Hillside Road. All entrances to Gampel Pavilion are accessible for individuals who use wheelchairs. For more information about directions and parking, please visit the UConn Commencement webpage.

The following accommodations will be available:

• A sign-language interpreter will be broadcast on the main screens.
• Special seating area for individuals who use wheelchairs (ushers will direct you; these are available on a first-come-first-serve basis)
• Modified bathroom facilities
• Parking will be available for vehicles with official permits for handicapped parking from a state Motor Vehicle Department on the ground level of the North and South Parking Garages

Alcohol is not permitted to be brought into the ceremonies and will be confiscated.