Please review the information below prior to the ceremony; return to this page regularly until your ceremony; and share it with your friends, family, and invited guests.
Lot 11 - Graduate Assembly Area
Assemble in Lot 11 no later than 3:30 p.m.
On Commencement Day, Friday, May 16 please plan to arrive in the Lot 11 – Grad Assembly Area (north of the football stadium) no later than 3:30 p.m. in your cap and gown. Then follow the posted signs to the designated area for your school or college. Commencement ambassadors will be there to guide you through the processional.
Please also note the following:
- The ceremony will be held outdoors at the stadium, rain or shine. Please plan and dress accordingly.
- Stay hydrated! Water will be permitted through security, however, alcoholic beverages are not allowed. Complimentary water will be available in the grad assembly area, on the field, and throughout the stadium.
- Rain ponchos will be made available in the event of heavy rain.
- Please apply sunscreen, wear sunglasses, and dress for the weather.
- The ceremony will be live streamed with captioning for guests to watch from home. The link will appear at the commencement website.
- There is no rehearsal for the commencement ceremony. Commencement Ambassadors will be on-site to guide you through the whole process.
- Tickets are not at needed for the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony and there is no reserved seating or limit on guests at McGuirk Alumni Stadium.
- Remember to wear comfortable footwear. Commencement Weekend entails a lot of walking and standing for most graduates and guests!
Concessions & Dining:
Snacks, light meals, and beverages will be sold at the Stadium Concessions Tent, on the east side of the stadium, near the entrance. Complimentary water will also be available throughout the stadium for graduating students.
After the ceremony, enjoy a meal with our award-winning UMass Dining at the Berkshire, Hampshire, or Worcester Commons. The Blue Wall and Harvest Fresh Market on the concourse at the Campus Center, and The Commonwealth Restaurant will be open throughout the weekend.
UMass Dining Facilities Hours of Operations
Security
Our security protocols ensure the safety of our visitors and our campus community. Metal detectors and bag checks will be in place at the entrances to McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Graduates are advised to pack lightly as all items taken into the venue are subject to search.
Please note that there is no secure storage for personal items such as backpacks. The university, therefore, discourages graduates from bringing any bag larger than a small purse into ceremonies; exceptions will be made but are subject to search, and must be carried on your person.
Outside food and beverages are allowed. However, no glass containers will be permitted in the graduate assembly area or stadium. University regulations strictly prohibit the possession or consumption of alcohol at the stadium during the ceremony.
Signs must be no larger than 11 x 17" and cannot be affixed to or hung from any location. Signs must be free of sticks and poles and cannot obstruct the view of others.
Guests are advised to pack lightly for the day as all items taken into the venues are subject to search —the less they are carrying, the quicker they will be able to proceed through security.
Please discuss security measures with the members of your party ahead of time so everyone is aware of our protocols. Although you can expect security measures to take a little time upon entry, our staff will be there to welcome you and your guests.
Traffic, Parking, & Transportation
Please be advised that there will be heavy traffic on and around the university campus during Commencement Weekend. Several roads will be partially closed or limited to one-directional traffic. Please allow extra time to navigate campus.
Parking will be directed by the UMass Police Department based on the closest available parking lots.
Friday, May 16, 2025 and Saturday May 17, 2025: Parking Shuttles will operate in a continuous single direction counter-clockwise loop from primary parking and campus areas to and from McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Mullins Center and other campus venues. Follow the UMass Police directed traffic route to parking areas and look for nearby UMass Shuttle signage and staff. Additional buses will operate direct to and from major lots during peak event times. Service will operate every 10-20 minutes, depending on traffic congestion and event schedules.
Accessible parking is available throughout the campus. Accessible parking for the Stadium is available in Lot 11.
Schedule of Activities
Order of Exercises for Friday, May 16
Below is an abbreviate order of exercises outlining what to expect at the 5:00 p.m. undergraduate Class of 2025 ceremony at McGuirk Alumni Stadium. All times are approximate.
3:00 p.m. Stadium gates open for guest entry and seating.
3:30 p.m. Arrive at the back portion of Lot 11 Graduate Assembly Area.
3:30 p.m. Commencement Ambassadors help graduates line up by school or college, walk you through security, and prepare for entrance onto the field (the processional).
5:00 p.m. Ceremony begins with the processional of degree candidates.
The ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours.
Schedule of Commencement Ceremonies & Celebrations
Earlier in the day on Friday and throughout the weekend, senior recognition ceremonies will be held across campus by schools, colleges and other university programs, where undergraduates can have their names read and walk across a stage to be individually recognized.
On Saturday, May 17, the Stockbridge School of Agriculture will conduct its Associate Degrees Commencement at 3:00 p.m. in Bowker Auditorium.
Detailed instructions regarding participation in senior recognition ceremonies will be provided by each school and college. Questions about guest tickets and guest ticket waitlists (if applicable) should be directed to the schools and colleges. Links to each ceremony are available in the schedule section of the commencement website.