< <Back to Graduation page

Commencement

Participation in a commencement ceremony does not imply or infer
the awarding of a degree at the time of the commencement ceremony.

Graduation VS Commencement
What is the difference?

• Graduation – The process of being awarded a degree. To be awarded a degree, candidates must apply for graduation.

• Commencement – Walking across the stage. The ceremony in which the achievement of a degree is recognized. Actual degrees are not awarded at the commencement ceremony. A final degree audit must be completed before a degree is officially awarded. A degree audit will not be completed unless the candidate applies for graduation in the term in which they plan to graduate.

ATTENTION DOCTORAL STUDENTS
Doctoral students may participate in commencement ceremonies only after completing all requirements for graduation, including the successful defense of the dissertation and subsequent acknowledgement by the Graduate School of all required documentation. Summer Term graduates are welcome to participate in the December Commencement ceremony following their Summer Term graduation.

Quick Links:

• What to expect on Commencement Day
• Spring Commencement
• Fall Commencement
• Dates & Times
• Grad Fest
• Tickets
• Regalia
• Guest Information
• Additional Information
  • Ordering Announcements/Caps & Gowns
  • Photographs
  • Televised Ceremonies
  • Class Ring
  • Additional Questions

What to expect on Commencement Day

The commencement ceremony is a wonderful celebration of your achievement for you, your family and friends. In order to have a ceremony that is an enjoyable event in a safe and secure atmosphere, please provide the following information to your guests.

• The Convocation Center doors open one hour in advance of the commencement ceremony. Each guest (over the age of two) must have a ticket to enter the Convocation Center.

• Baby strollers are not allowed in the bleacher area. There will be a location in the South Foyer where the strollers may be left, but at the owner's own risk.

• There will be a special seating area for disabled guests with a companion. There is no secure area for unoccupied wheelchairs, and we do not have wheelchairs available to loan guests.

• Balloons are not allowed in the Convocation Center.

• Air horns are not allowed in the Convocation Center.

Commencement Informational Power Point or PDF

Commencement Check-In

• There will be no rehearsal

• The Ceremony will last approximately 2 hours

• All guests must have tickets. Tickets are obtained in advance through Special Events (210-458–6110)

• Arrive one hour prior to the ceremony in the Ballroom Galleria (UC 1.100B) next to the Convocation Center and proceed to your check-in table. Each college will have tables subdivided alphabetically, according to last name.

• You will be given a name card with your name printed on it exactly as it will appear on your diploma

• The name card will be read as you cross the stage, KEEP YOUR CARD!

• Candidates that need to check in coats, purses, or electronic devices (Blackberries, Cell Phones, I Pods etc…) will be able to do so in the Bexar Room UC 1.102. The use of electronic devices may cause interference with the audio equipment and are therefore prohibited.

Diploma Covers:

• Each participant in the Commencement exercises will receive a diploma cover at the ceremonies. Your diploma will NOT be in the cover.

• Degree candidates not participating can pick up a cover in the Registrar’s Office any day after the Commencement Exercises.

• Information about diplomas is located on the graduation page

Information for disabled candidates:

• If you are a disabled degree candidate and will need special assistance during the ceremony, contact Sally Crouser in the Special Events Center (210-458-6115).

<<Back to Top

Spring Commencement Ceremony

You are eligible to participate if you:

• Applied for Spring graduation by February 15th.

• Applied for graduation for the following Summer term by February 15th

Too Late? See Missed Deadline Procedures

Fall Commencement Ceremony

You are eligible to participate if you:

• Applied for Fall graduation by September 15th.

• Graduated the preceding Summer semester and indicated December Commencement Participation

Too Late? See Missed Deadline Procedures

<<Back to Top

Commencement Dates & Times

• All commencement ceremonies will be held at the Convocation Center on the 1604 campus of The University of Texas at San Antonio

• A campus map is available at http://www.utsa.edu/maps/1604/

<<Back to Top

Fall 2009 Commencement

<<Back to Top

Grad Fest

<<Back to Top

Tickets

• All guests over the age of two must have a ticket

• Photo ID must be presented for ticket pick up

• Tickets available for pick up: November 4 (Grad Fest) – December 4. Pick up your tickets at the BOOKSTORE during Grad Fest.

  If you do not attend Grad Fest, tickets may be picked up in the Special Events Center until December 4 at Room UC 1.224 or Downtown at the Enrollment Service Center (FS 1.500), 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday.
  
  College of Business majors may pick up tickets at BB 2.01.08 at the Main campus or BVB 3.308 at the Downtown campus.

• Students who are unable to pick up tickets may request tickets by mail or fax. Candidates using this service must send a letter stating the candidate's name, ID number, address, college and major, telephone number, and the number of tickets requested to the following attention:
  
  Deadline for mail or facsimile requests: November 30, 2009
  
  COLLEGE OF BUSINESS MAIL REQUESTS:
  Issis Vela-Fox
  Director of Student Services
  Center for Student Professional Development, College of Business
  One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas, 78249
  210-458-6080 (fax)
  
  ALL OTHER REQUESTS
  Sally Crouser
  Special Events Center
  One UTSA Circle
  San Antonio, TX 78249
  or Fax to (210) 458-6116
  sally.crouser@utsa.edu

• Additional tickets may be available through the ticket lottery: December 8, 2009

  LOTTERY TIMES ARE:
  9 am	(COE and COS)
  11 am	(COLFA I and COPP)
  1 pm	(COA and COLFA II)
  5 pm	(COB)
  3 pm	(COEHD)

  All lotteries will be held at the Denman Room, UC II, 2nd floor (2.01.28). Please arrive 10 minutes early. Please bring proper I.D.
  
  How does the lottery work?
  You will be given a ticket when you check in for the lottery. If your number is called, you will receive extra tickets. If you need additional tickets you may place your ticket back into the bucket for a chance to win additional tickets. This is a lottery! We will not know the exact number of tickets that will be available.
  
  Graduates unable to attend the lottery may sign up a representative to take their place. College of Business graduates should sign up their representative at the Center for Student Professional Development, Business Building, 2.01.08 or call 458-4039. All other graduates should sign up their representative at the Special Events Center or call 458-6110.

<<Back to Top

Regalia

• All participants must wear academic regalia.

• Wear dark shoes, since dark accessories have a more favorable appearance with the formal academic wear.

• The tassel is worn on the right side of the cap for Undergraduates until the end of the commencement ceremony when graduates are instructed to shift the tassel to the left side. The tassel is worn on the left side for Master's and Doctoral.

• It is recommended that you take your regalia out of the bag and place it on a hanger a few days before your ceremony in order to decrease the wrinkles.

• Caps, gowns and tassels are available during Grad Fest or at the Campus Bookstore.

• Pre-ordered regalia will be available for pick up December 8, 2009, at the Campus Bookstore.

• Extra regalia will be available to purchase beginning December 9, 2009, at the Campus Bookstore.

<<Back to Top

Guest Information

• Parking is available for guests through both the 1604 and the UTSA Boulevard entrances to the 1604 campus. A campus map is available at http://www.utsa.edu/maps/1604/

• Doors to the Convocation Center will open one (1) hour prior to the beginning of each ceremony, please, no seat saving.

• There is reserved seating for disabled guests and one family member or friend.

• A list of some San Antonio area hotels near the UTSA campuses:
  http://www.utsa.edu/family/hotels.cfm

<<Back to Top

Additional information

Announcements/Caps & Gowns:

• Announcements, caps and gowns, tassels and other commencement items are ordered during Grad Fest. A representative from Herff Jones will be at Grad Fest with information regarding the ordering process. If you are unable to attend Grad Fest you can still purchase your regalia at the campus bookstore or order directly through the Herff Jones web site at http://www.herffjones.com/college/.

Photographs:

• A professional photographer will take a photo of each individual receiving a diploma. Information concerning these photographs will be mailed and emailed to you within 10 days of the commencement ceremony. If you have any questions, please contact Flash Photography directly at http://www.FLASHphotography.com.

• The commencement ceremonies will be telecast on AT&T U-verse channel 99, Grande channel 23, and Time Warner channel 98. All 5 ceremonies will be telecast live on a big screen in the University Center Retama Auditorium, no ticket is required.

• Copies of the ceremonies are available for free through Time Warner On Demand Channel 988 or ordered through our Distance Learning Office. Contact Robert Granado for more information at robert.granado@utsa.edu

• UTSA will also have a live webcast of all commencement exercises. The webcast will be available by visiting this link

• Official UTSA rings are on display in the Alumni Programs Office (UC 2.00.10) and at the UTSA Bookstore and may be ordered at either location

• You may also visit the UTSA Alumni Association website for more information

• If you have questions or concerns regarding commencement please call the Special Events Center at (210) 458-6110

<<Back to Top

— Last update: November 13, 2009 —