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Commencement Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Commencement is a special time for our graduates, their families, friends and the University of Tampa community. Please review the following frequently asked questions. If you have a questions not listed here, please reach out to the commencement team at commencement@ut.edu

What is the difference between graduation and commencement?听

Graduation is the completion of all degree requirements to be awarded your degree and receive your printed diploma. Commencement is the symbolic ceremony, at which your graduation is publicly acknowledged and celebrated.

The University commencement ceremonies recognize all graduates across disciplines and degree levels. Individual colleges and departments sometimes arrange additional celebrations including hooding ceremonies for master and doctoral candidates.

Participation in the commencement ceremony or additional celebrations is optional, and not required to receive your diploma. Likewise, participation in the ceremony does not equate to graduating.

Where and when is the commencement?听

University of Tampa commencement ceremonies are held twice a year please refer to the main Commencement page for specific ceremony dates and times.

University of Tampa commencement ceremonies are held at the Expo Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds. This is a large, indoor venue with stadium-type seating.

I graduate in August or January. Which ceremony can I attend?听

August graduation candidates are eligible to attend the May before or December after their degree is conferred and can select their preference.

January graduation candidates are eligible to attend the December before or the May after their degree is conferred and can select their preference.

When can I pick up my cap and gown?

Regalia (cap and gown) are pre-ordered during the Grad Fair each fall and spring. They are then distributed from the University Bookstore starting typically 3 weeks prior to commencement ceremony.听

Students can only pick-up regalia for themselves and are required to show their Spartan IDs.听

If a student did not pre-order their cap and gown by the deadline, they will be served on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please note that sizing may be limited if a pre-order was not completed.听

Please refer to the Graduate Checklist听for specific dates for pre-orders and pick-up.

Additionally, please try on your cap and gown as soon as you pick it up to make sure it fits before arriving to the fairgrounds for commencement.

Where is the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall, and where do we park?

To get to the Florida State Fairgrounds please use the address听4800 US-301, Tampa, FL 33610.听This will take you to the gate on US-301.

Graduates, families, and guests听MUST ONLY听utilize the US301 or MLK Blvd Entrances.听

The venue is about 15-20 minutes from campus without traffic. Please plan for congestion around the fairgrounds area, and at least a听45听minute听drive with parking.

Parking is听FREE,听just let the attendant know that your are attending the commencement ceremony.

What time do I need to arrive for commencement?听

Graduates and guests may enter the venue beginning one hour prior to the start of the ceremony.听 Please refer to the specific commencement page (December or May) for dates and times.

Please allow plenty of time for arrival, parking, and going through security (metal detectors and bag checks) before entering the building. If you are in the second or third ceremony in May, there will be extra traffic at the fairgrounds when you arrive from the prior ceremony ending and other events happening at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

Once through security, graduates will enter the Entertainment Hall and guests will enter the Expo Hall.

Graduates should plan ample time for arrival. Once you enter the venue, it will take about 15 minutes for pick up your 鈥渞eader name鈥 card properly and line-up for pre-seating.听

If you are not ready 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony, you will not be seated until after the singing of the National Anthem.

Throughout the check-in process, you must follow the instructions of the faculty marshals, staff and University of Tampa Diplomats who are organizing the event. Be patient and understanding.听 听

*Please note that family members and guests are not permitted in the graduate check-in area.*

What is pre-seating?听

Graduating candidates will be seated before the start of the processional. Candidates will be seated by faculty marshals after they have completed the check-in process and have received their reader card. If candidates would like to sit with a particular group of people, all individuals must be present at the same time to sit together. Once candidates have been seated, they must remain in their seats for the duration of the ceremony.

When does pre-seating end?听

Pre-seating ends 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. After that time, we will hold seating graduates, to ensure the processional begins on time. Graduates who arrive after this time will be seated following the singing of the National Anthem.听

How long will the ceremony last?听

The ceremonies are expected to last approximately two to two and a half hours.

When will I receive my diploma?听

At the ceremony, you will receive your diploma cover.鈥 Your will receive an email from the Registrar's Office prior to graduation that will include the estimated timeframe for diploma shipment.听

Please make sure to update your "Diploma Address" with the University via Workday to ensure you receive your diploma.听

How many guests can I invite?听

All guest attendees must have a ticket to attend the 绿奴天花板ampa commencement ceremonies. Each graduate that registers for commencement by the posted deadline is guaranteed six guest tickets through electronic distribution.

Additional tickets may be requested in the application, but are not guaranteed. Extra tickets are distributed as available. If demand for additional tickets exceeds supply, a lottery system will be used to distribute extra tickets.听听

For more information regarding ticketing, please see the Ticketing Information page.

What time should my family and guests arrive? Is there assigned seating?听

Your families and friends must be seated before the processional. No one can be seated during the processional. Please let your guests know this in advance. Seats cannot be reserved for other guests and seats are available on a first-come basis.听听

Is accessible seating available?听

If any of your guests require accessible seating, it is important that you indicate this during registration for guest tickets as you will be given specific tickets for them, as space allows.

For guests in wheelchairs and those with limited mobility, there is designated seating.

A Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and Visual Impairment ADA section is located near the stage with views of the LCD screens and the ASL interpreter.

Please note: For all guests who require special accommodations for seating, only one companion from the remainder of your guest party may sit with them during the ceremony. The remainder of your guests will need to sit in the open stadium seating. Ushers will be available to escort guests to the designated ADA seating area.

What do I need to wear to commencement?听

Graduating candidates are required to wear the University official traditional cap, gown and hood (if applicable). There will be no exceptions.听

Graduates must enter through security when arriving at the venue. They will not be allowed to enter wearing their robes, and should hold the robe over their arm as they pass through security.

How will students be recognized?听

Graduates will be recognized individually. The students will stand by row and be led up the aisle by the faculty marshals. They will proceed to the left side of the stage (from the audience vantage point), pick up their diploma cover and hand the card they were given to the reader for their name to be announced. Students will then walk across the stage as a photographer takes their picture with the University President. Students will then continue off the platform to the right for two more professional photos and return to their seats.听

How will I know that the ceremony is over?听

After the ceremony, University administrators and faculty will recess first out of the ceremony.鈥 After the faculty has recessed, you will exit behind them through the recessional area.

You will meet your families and friends outside. Outside there will be signs with 鈥渕eeting zones鈥 that have specific letters assigned to each. Please make prior arrangements on where you want to meet your family and guests outside the venue following the ceremony in one of the zones.鈥赌

What is the etiquette expected at the ceremony?听

All graduating students are required to remain seated throughout the ceremony. Please tell your family and friends that all guests must remain in their seats until the platform party, faculty and graduates have processed off the floor. Students and their families/friends should designate a meeting place outside before entering the building. Graduates utilize a different entrance and exit than guests.

What items may I as well as my family and guests bring to the ceremony?听

For the safety and security of all graduates and guests, please see below for permitted and prohibited items. Please note, that security has the right to inspect any item at any time based on safety.鈥疉ll graduates and guests will pass through security gates and a bag check upon entrance to the ceremony venue.

Prohibited items must immediately be returned to the owner鈥檚 vehicle or disposed of before entering the commencement venue.鈥 Failure to do so will result in being denied admittance to the ceremony.鈥

Should individuals, including graduating students, display disruptive behavior or be found in possession of any of these items, they may be immediately removed from the venue and denied access from participating in the ceremony.鈥赌

The commencement ceremony is an alcohol, tobacco and drug-free event.鈥赌

Permitted Items:鈥赌

  • Small purses and clutches with personal belongings鈥赌
  • Necessary medications鈥赌
  • Umbrellas鈥赌
  • Cameras and video recorders鈥赌
  • Strollers鈥赌
  • Service animals鈥
    鈥疉s defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, a service animal is defined as an animal that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.

听Prohibited Items:鈥赌

  • Weapons鈥赌痮f any kind
  • Beverages of any kind听
  • Alcohol or illegal substances
  • Glass containers鈥赌
  • Backpacks鈥赌
  • Tobacco products of any kind鈥赌
  • Noisemakers鈥赌
  • Laser pointers鈥赌
  • Non-service animals鈥赌
  • Balloons鈥赌
  • Banners鈥赌
  • Signage鈥
  • Any item that may cause a disruption or pose a safety risk

*Please note: While strollers are permitted into the commencement venue, guests must leave the strollers at the designated stroller check location. 绿奴天花板 is not responsible for strollers or any items left at the stroller check location.

Prohibited items must immediately be returned to the owner鈥檚 vehicle or disposed of before entering the commencement venue. Failure to do so will result in being denied admittance to the ceremony.听Signage listing prohibited items will be posted at entrances and communicated in pre-event materials.

What if I, or one of my guests, need special accommodations?听

Graduates who need accommodations for the ceremony should indicate that when they apply for commencement, with their needs and contact information, so the commencement staff can make the necessary arrangements. The commencement office asks that you contact our office to make us aware of these needs as early as possible.听听听

What if I have additional questions regarding the ceremony?

Please contact Orientation and Family Engagement at听commencement@ut.edu听or (813) 257-1999. Our office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. We are happy to help!

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