Congratulations, graduates!
We are thrilled to be celebrating this achievement with you. Use this page for most of the information you will need about graduation weekend. Keep an eye on your Umail account for instructions specific to your major and/or degree level.
COMMENCEMENT VS CONVOCATION
Commencement Ceremony
Commencement is the University wide opening ceremony where we honor and celebrate the collective achievements of the University's graduating class. This is a large event which usually includes a well-known speaker. You will NOT have your name read at this ceremony. Only candidates from summer 2019, fall 2019, spring 2020, and summer 2020 may attend.
For more information, including graduate line-up, location, and more, please visit the Commencement Ceremony page.
Convocation Ceremonies
Each College across the University holds a separate ceremony to honor the graduating class in their respective disciplines. The College of Social and Behavioral Science Convocation is an event you won't want to miss. At this ceremony you will walk, with students from your major, pick up your diploma cover and have your name read. You are welcome to bring your family and other guests, and there is no need for tickets. Join us as we celebrate your graduation!
2020 University of Utah Commencement Ceremony
Thursday, April 30, 2020 | Jon M. Huntsman Center
5:00 P.M. Graduates arrive at Huntsman Center (parking lot south of Milton Bennion
Hall)
5:50 P.M. Processional begins
6:30 P.M. Commencement ceremony begins
2020 CSBS Convocations
Ph.D. and Master's Convocation
Students graduating with a Ph.D. or master's will have their degrees conferred during the college graduate convocation ceremony in Kingsbury Hall.
Date: Thursday, April 30, 2020
Time: 8:30 AM
*Graduating students and faculty should arrive at 7:45 AM
Location: Kingsbury Hall
Can't make it to the ceremony?
Student Information
The procession begins promptly at 8:25 AM.
Student Regalia: All graduates are required to wear the appropriate cap and gown during the ceremony.
Purchase Regalia through the campus store
Where to go:
- Master's students | On arrival, please proceed to the front of the auditorium on the main level. Ushers will be there to help you find a seat with the other graduates.
- Ph.D. students and Faculty | Please meet in the Founders Room, basement level of Kingsbury Hall.
Reader Cards: A reader card will be given to you when you are seated in your designated section. Fill out both sides of the card and bring it with you to the reader table. One side is identifying information for the photographer. The other side is to provide your information to the faculty announcing student names as they cross the stage.
Photographs: A professional photographer has been authorized to photograph all graduation candidates. A representative from Island Photography will contact graduates after the ceremony with information on how to purchase the photographs. You are not obligated to purchase these photographs. Family and friends may take pictures as long as they do not disrupt the ceremony. No one is allowed at the front of stage.
Personal Belongings: Please leave purses, bags, cameras, and personal items with your guests. You will not be returning to the same seat after walking across the stage for the presentation of graduates and awarding of degrees.
Diplomas: Diplomas are mailed to graduates from the Office of the Registrar within three months of graduation. If your address, phone number, and/or email address change, update your information immediately in the Campus Information System (CIS). The Registrar will use the most recent address listed in CIS when mailing your diploma.
Parking: Campus parking lots may be used at no charge during Convocation and Commencement ceremonies. Families are encouraged to drop off guests who cannot walk long distances at Kingsbury Hall before parking their cars.
Most all campus parking lots may be used, including the parking structure located on the north east side of Kingsbury Hall. However, due to the motocross event that will be held in Rice-Eccles Stadium the weekend of commencement, motorcross will be setting up three days prior to the event. The Rice-Eccles stadium parking lot will not be available. The alternative to Rice-Eccles Stadium, is MERRILL ENGINEERING with SHUTTLE SERVICE.
Guest Information
Seating: Guest seating at Kingsbury Hall is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Guests should be seated by 8:15 AM. The academic processional will begin promptly at 8:25 AM. Ushers will be available to assist with guest seating. Some seating will be reserved for graduation candidates, convocation staff and guests in wheelchairs and their companions. The recessional will follow in reverse order; however, the graduates and guests will remain seated until the official party has left the seating area.
Special Seating/Accommodations: Students or guests with disabilities (including individuals in wheelchairs and those who have limited mobility) attending convocation can request special accommodations by contacting us at dean@csbs.utah.edu or 801-581-8620. The College requests that guests give reasonable prior notice by April 24, 2020 . We ask that guests arrive early and use the handicapped entrance located on the east side of Kingsbury Hall.
*Note: Requests made the day of convocation cannot be accommodated; prior notice must be given.
Photographs: A professional photographer has been authorized to photograph all graduation candidates (see above for more information). Family and friends may take pictures as long as they do not disrupt the ceremony. No one is allowed at the front of stage.
Parking: Campus parking lots may be used at no charge during Convocation and Commencement ceremonies. Families are encouraged to drop off guests who cannot walk long distances at Kingsbury Hall before parking their cars.
Most all campus parking lots may be used, including the parking structure located on the north east side of Kingsbury Hall. However, due to the motocross event that will be held in Rice-Eccles Stadium the weekend of commencement, motorcross will be setting up three days prior to the event. The Rice-Eccles stadium parking lot will not be available. The alternative to Rice-Eccles Stadium, is MERRILL ENGINEERING with SHUTTLE SERVICE.
Undergraduate Convocation
Students graduating with a bachelor's will have their degrees conferred during the college undergraduate convocation ceremony in the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
Date: Friday, May 1, 2020
Time: 11:30 AM
*Graduating students and faculty should arrive at 10:45 AM
Location: Huntsman Center
Can't make it to the ceremony?
Student Information
The procession begins promptly at 11:25 AM.
Student Regalia: All graduates are required to wear the appropriate cap and gown during the ceremony.
PURCHASE REGALIA THROUGH THE CAMPUS STORE
Where to go: On arrival, go directly to your department's designated section and rows. See assignments at button below.
Students from the Department of Psychology will need to report to the west tunnel, as you will be sitting on the arena floor.
Department Seating Assignments
Faculty, meet in the west tunnel to line up for the procession.
Reader Cards: A reader card will be given to you when you are seated in your designated section. Fill out both sides of the card and bring it with you to the reader table. One side is identifying information for the photographer. The other side is to provide your information to the faculty announcing student names as they cross the stage.
Photographs: A professional photographer has been authorized to photograph all graduation candidates. A representative from Island Photography will contact graduates after the ceremony with information on how to purchase the photographs. You are not obligated to purchase these photographs. Family and friends may take pictures as long as they do not disrupt the ceremony. No one is allowed at the front of stage.
Personal Belongings: Please leave purses, bags, cameras, and personal items with your guests. You will not be returning to the same seat after walking across the stage for the presentation of graduates and awarding of degrees.
Diplomas: Diplomas are mailed to graduates from the Office of the Registrar within three months of graduation. If your address, phone number, and/or email address change, update your information immediately in the Campus Information System (CIS). The Registrar will use the most recent address listed in CIS when mailing your diploma.
Honors at Graduation: You may pick up an honor cord beginning April 8 through the week of graduation. Bring a copy of your unofficial transcript to verify your GPA.
Parking: Campus parking lots may be used at no charge during Convocation and Commencement ceremonies. Families are encouraged to drop off elderly guests and those who cannot walk long distances in the Jon M. Huntsman Center circle before parking their cars. The closest parking to the Jon M. Huntsman Center is directly south in the LDS Institute lot. Guests may also park in other lots. Ceremony should be 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Guest Information
Seating: Guest seating will be on a first come, first serve basis. Most guests choose to sit in Sections D through J, on the west side of the Huntsman Center. Guests are not allowed to sit in sections designated for graduates. Candidates and guests are requested to remain seated until the entire convocation program is complete.
Bag check: The Huntsman Center has instituted a clear bag policy. Although they will not be enforcing that policy for graduation ceremonies, there will be a bag check at all doors.
Special Seating/Accommodations: Students or guests with disabilities (including individuals in wheelchairs and those who have limited mobility) attending convocation can request special accommodations by contacting us at dean@csbs.utah.edu or 801-581-8620. The College requests that guests give reasonable prior notice by April 24, 2020. We ask that guests arrive early.
*Note: Requests made the day of convocation cannot be accommodated; prior notice must be given.
Photographs: A professional photographer has been authorized to photograph all graduation candidates (see above for more information). Family and friends may take pictures as long as they do not disrupt the ceremony. No one is allowed at the front of stage.
Parking: Campus parking lots may be used at no charge during Convocation. Families are encouraged to drop off elderly guests and those who cannot walk long distances in the Jon M. Huntsman Center circle before parking their cars. The closest parking to the Jon M. Huntsman Center is directly south in the LDS Institute lot. Guests may also park in other lots. Ceremony should be 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, students from summer 2019, fall 2019, spring 2020, and summer 2020 may attend.
Those who are graduating in summer 2020 will not be listed in the program; there is nothing the college can do about this. The Registrar’s Office creates the list of graduates. Your name will be on next year’s program, so you can come get a program next year if you would like.
There are many possible reasons for this, but the most common is that you had not applied for graduation by the time the list was generated by the Registrar's Office. As long as you have completed the requirements and applied for graduation, you should still graduate as planned.
No, but it will appear on your transcript.
Yes, you may pick up an honor cord beginning April 8 through the week of graduation. Bring a copy of your unofficial transcript to verify your GPA.
The convocation program will also have stars by those students' names who are candidates for these honors.
Yes, your honors designation will be printed on your diploma and transcript if you qualify at the time of graduation.
When the Graduation Office sends your diploma in the mail, they will include information on where you can pick up a diploma cover.
You may come to the Dean's Office in Gardner Commons, Suite 3725 within a month after convocation to pick up a program. If you are unable to come to the office, please contact us at dean@csbs.utah.edu or 801-581-8620 to make additional arrangements.
Still have questions about graduate requirements and university commencement?
QUESTIONS AND MORE INFORMATION
Contact us at dean@csbs.utah.edu or 801-581-8620