Graduate School Commencement
Schedule
The Graduate Commencement Ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 27, 2006, at 1:00 p.m. in the Mullins Center.
Candidates must check in between 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 noon, wearing Regalia, at the tent set up to the west of the Mullins Center At this time, final instructions for the procession will be given. Strollers, baby carriers, food and drink are not permitted in the student seating area. No purses, briefcases, or extra clothing should be carried into the arena; the University cannot be responsible for lost or stolen property.
Your name will be read as you walk across the stage, and we would like to pronounce your name correctly. If it would be helpful for the reader to hear your name spoken, please call 413-577-6221. If you have any problems, call the Graduate School at 413-545-0024.
Guests should be seated by 12:30 p.m., as the processional will begin promptly at 12:45 p.m.
A reception is planned for the graduate degree recipients, their guests, and faculty, immediately following the ceremony at approximately 2:45 p.m, under the tent on the west side of the Mullins Center. Refreshments will be served.
Eligibility Requirements
The following groups are eligible to participate in Commencement:
- Master's degree candidates who submit the Degree Eligibility Form by April 28 to the Office of Degree Requirements, stating an intention to complete all course requirements by the end of the semester. For students who are writing a thesis, the defense and submission of that thesis must take place by the April 28 deadline. (See Master's Degree Eligibility Form and Checklist)
- Doctoral degree candidates who have completed all degree requirements and filed the Doctoral Degree Eligibility Form by April 28. (See Doctoral Degree Eligibility Form and Checklists)
- Individuals who received their Master's or Doctoral degrees in September 2005 or February 2006.
Questions concerning eligibility should be directed to the Office of Degree Requirements, Room 534, Goodell Building, (413) 545-0025, or via e-mail at degreq@resgs.umass.edu.
Commencement Regalia
- Master's Regalia
- Available at the Textbook Annex, M-F 9-3:45 from May 9-25, and 9-3 on May 26.
- Doctoral Regalia
- Available at the Graduate Records Office, 534 Goodell Building, M-F 9-4:45 from May 9-25, and 9-4 on May 26. Doctoral hoods, required for participation in the ceremony, can be purchased, after you have been cleared by the Graduate School, for $65. (VISA, MasterCard, checks and money orders are accepted.)
On the day of the ceremony, a limited amount of Regalia will be available near the check-in tables, beginning at 11 a.m.
Guests: Seating and Photographs
There will be open seating for an unlimited number of guests, on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are not required. We urge that guests arrive promptly and are seated by 12:30, no later than 12:45 p.m. All seats have a good view of the stage, and we will provide video projection onto two large screens as graduates are awarded their degrees. The arena is air-conditioned.
A layout of the seating for degree recipients will be available to guests on the day of the ceremony.
Guests, including children, are asked to remain in the guest seating area, and are not permitted to walk across the stage for safety reasons.
Optional personalized graduation announcements can be purchased at Print Services, 151 Whitmore, (413) 545-2718, fax 413-545-1115.
Photographs are allowed from the guest seating area, but aisles cannot be blocked, and care should be taken not to obstruct anyone's view. Guests are not allowed on the floor of the arena.
Photos of all degree recipients will be taken as they receive their diplomas. You can purchase prints directly from Commencement Photos, Inc..
Faculty
Faculty attending the Graduate Commencement ceremony should assemble under the tent in the parking lot west of the Mullins Center at 12:30 p.m. The procession begins promptly at 12:45 p.m.
Rental of academic regalia is provided free of charge to faculty. To order yours, simply call Millie Hanas at the University Store at 545-2619. You may also fax your request to 545-4396 or send your request by email. The garments may be picked up during the days just prior to Graduate Commencement and returned to the same location afterwards. You will need to supply your height, weight, cap size, and school colors (if known). You may also purchase academic regalia through the University Store at your own expense.
Parking
There is construction underway that will affect traffic flow and parking. Police will direct you to parking lots based on your arrival time and entry point to the campus.
Assistance for Those with Disabilities
- Parking
- Guests with documented disabilities who need handicapped-accessible parking adjacent to the Mullins Center must complete and submit an application form by April 14. For more information, call (413) 545-0892.
- Sign and oral interpreters
- Sign-language or oral interpreters are available but must be requested no later than April 22. To request an interpreter, call (413) 545-0892 V/TTY or contact us via e-mail.
