Commencement Weekend Instructions for Faculty Members
Please review the information below prior to commencement. Email commencement@umass.edu with any questions.
Regalia
Academic regalia is required for all commencement ceremonies.
Rental Regalia Pick Up
- Faculty regalia can be picked up on the first floor of the Campus Center Room 165 on the following dates and times: Monday, May 12 - Thursday, May 15, 2025, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Faculty who missed the date to order regalia, are still able to fully participate. Extra regalia is available during the above noted times on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note: there will not be extra regalia available at McGuirk Stadium.
Returning Your Regalia
- Please be sure to return your rental regalia to the Office of Community Relations and University Events the week following commencement by dropping it off in person or via inter-campus mail to Munson Hall - Lower Level, 101 Hicks Way. Regalia must be returned to Munson Hall by May 23, 2025.
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 Mullins Center and McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Faculty are advised to pack lightly as all items taken into either venue are subject to search.
Please note that there is no secure storage for personal items such as backpacks. The university, therefore, discourages faculty 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.
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.
Traffic, Parking, & Transportation
Please be advised that there will be heavy traffic on and around the university campus on Commencement Weekend. Please allow extra time to navigate campus. Several roads will be partially closed or limited to one-directional traffic. Parking will be directed by the UMass Police Department based closest available parking lots.
Friday, May 16 and Saturday May 17: Parking Shuttles will operate in a continuous single direction 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.
Sunday May 18: Follow the UMass Police directed traffic route to parking areas.
Accessible parking is available throughout the campus. Accessible parking for the Stadium is available in Lot 11.
Review the complete public traffic and road closure advisory for more details
Details for Degree Conferral Ceremonies
Doctoral Hooding Ceremony
On Friday, May 16, please plan to arrive at the Mullins Center Green Room by 8:00 a.m., then follow the posted signs to the Faculty Robing Room. A continental breakfast, coffee, tea, and cold beverages will be available. Commencement ambassadors and Faculty Marshals will assist with line up and lead the processional.
Faculty attending as a graduate advisor or hooding faculty should report to the Lot 67 graduate assembly area by 8:30 a.m.. Commencement ambassadors will guide you to the doctoral line up where you will meet your graduates and prepare for the processional.
Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony
Following the doctoral hooding ceremony, please plan to arrive at the Football Performance Center (FPC) at McGuirk Alumni Stadium by 3:30 p.m., and proceed through security, then follow the posted signs to the Faculty Robing Tent outside the FPC. Light refreshments will be available. Commencement ambassadors and Faculty Marshals will assist with line up and lead the processional.
Additional notes about the stadium:
- The ceremony will be held outdoors at the stadium, rain or shine. Please plan and dress accordingly.
- Stay hydrated! Water bottles and beverages will be permitted through security, however, alcoholic beverages are not allowed.
- Rain ponchos will be made available in the event of heavy rain.
- Please apply sunscreen, wear sunglasses, and dress as needed in the case of high heat.
- The locker rooms at the FPC are under renovation and unavailable. You will be robing in a tent set up over grass. Given our soggy spring, please select footwear accordingly.
- At the stadium, faculty will process down the center aisle on the red carpet and be directed to the stages located on the side of the main stage.
- If you need a restroom during the ceremony, portable toilets are located on either side of the south end of the stadium. Walk down the side stairs of the stage through the field fence gate to the restroom.
Master's and Education Specialist Commencement Ceremony
On Sunday, May 18, please plan to arrive at the Mullins Center Green Room by 1:00 p.m., then follow the posted signs to the Faculty Robing Room. Light refreshments will be available. Commencement ambassadors and Faculty Marshals will assist with line up and lead the processional.
Schedule of Activities
Below is an abbreviated order of exercises outlining what to expect at the degree conferral ceremonies times are approximate.
Friday, May 16 - Doctoral Hooding
8:00 a.m. Arrive at the Mullins Center and proceed to the Faculty Robing Room, located on the first floor.
8:30 a.m. Commencement ambassadors will arrange and lead members of the faculty into the arena (the processional).
9:00 a.m. Ceremony begins with procession of degree candidates and members of the faculty.
- Graduate students who have earned a doctoral degree will be individually recognized by name.
- Doctoral candidates will be hooded during the graduate commencement ceremony. If you are an advisor or faculty member participating in hooding, please gather in the Lot 67 Graduate Assembly area with your advisee no later than 8:30 a.m.
The ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours.
Friday, May 16 - Undergraduate Commencement
3:00 p.m. Arrive at the Football Performance Center to pass through security and proceed to the Faculty Robing Tent, located on the west end of the FPC.
3:30 p.m. Commencement ambassadors and Faculty Marshals will arrange and lead members of the faculty onto the field (the processional).
5:00 p.m. Ceremony begins with procession of degree candidates and members of the faculty.
The ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours.
Sunday, May 18 - Master's and Educational Specialist Commencement
1:00 p.m. Arrive at the Mullins Center and proceed to the Faculty Robing Room, located on the first floor.
1:30 p.m. Commencement ambassadors will arrange and lead members of the faculty into the arena (the processional).
2:00 p.m. Ceremony begins with procession of degree candidates and members of the faculty.
- Graduate students who have earned a master's or education specialist degree will be individually recognized by name.
The ceremony is expected to last approximately three hours.
Schedule of Commencement Ceremonies & Celebrations
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Senior Recognition Ceremonies will be held across campus by schools, colleges and other university programs, where undergraduates are individually recognized.
On Saturday, May 18, the Stockbridge School of Agriculture will conduct its Associate Degrees Commencement at 3 p.m. in Bowker Auditorium.
Detailed instructions for faculty participation in senior recognition ceremonies will be provided by each school and college.