Commencement Info for Guests

Commencement

Spring 2025 Commencement

The University of Northern Colorado will host ceremonies on May 9 -10, 2025 in the Bank of Colorado Arena. We are excited to host you on campus as you celebrate the achievement of your graduate!

Tickets are required for general entry and valid for one guest per ticket. Tickets are issued at no charge and sale of tickets is prohibited. Tickets will be distributed to graduates electronically to graduates via BearMail accounts. Guests must obtain tickets from their graduates in advance of the ceremony. Tickets will not be available at the ceremony entrance door.

Schedule of Ceremonies

  1. Friday, May 9: Graduate Commencement
    1. 6 p.m.
      • Doctoral, Specialist and Master’s students
  2. Saturday, May 10: Undergraduate Commencement
    1. 9 a.m.
      • College of Humanities and Social Sciences
      • Kenneth W. Monfort College of Business
    2. 12:30 p.m.
      • College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
      • College of Performing and Visual Arts
    3. 3:30 p.m.
      • College of Natural and Health Sciences

Doors to the Bank of Colorado Arena will open to guests 1 hour prior to each ceremony. Guests may enter on the West or North sides of the arena.

The West entrance will close 15 minutes prior to each ceremony, with all guests then directed to the North entrance.

IMPORTANT: ALL GUEST ENTRANCE DOORS WILL CLOSE AT THE START OF EACH CEREMONY TO ALLOW THE GRADUATES TO ENTER THE ARENA. Guests will be held at the security lines outside the building until the graduate procession is completed.

Please plan to arrive early to avoid missing your graduate walking in.

IN PURSUIT OF ENHANCED SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES, UNC HAS IMPLEMENTED A CLEAR BAG POLICY.

Clear Bag Policy Details

Tickets

Tickets are required for entry.

Tickets are required for guests to attend the Commencement Ceremonies. Graduating students do not require a ticket. Tickets are assigned to specific ceremonies, are general admission and valid for one guest per ticket. Tickets are issued at no charge and sale of tickets is prohibited. Tickets will be distributed to graduates electronically via BearMail accounts. Guests must obtain tickets from their graduates in advance of the ceremony.

Tickets will not be available at the ceremony entrance door.

Graphic illustration of tickets for commencement.

Requesting Tickets 

  • In order to request tickets, a student must first submit their application and be approved for graduation. Students who are eligible to graduate this semester, will receive an email with application instructions from the Registrar (undergraduate students) or the Graduate School (graduate students).
  • Graduating students may submit a request to claim UP TO 6 TICKETS prior to the initial ticket request deadline.
  • We have implemented a new system for commencement ticketing. Instructions for requesting tickets will be emailed to students at 5 p.m. on February 28. After the initial ticket request deadline, availability of additional tickets will be determined based on the total number of tickets requested compared to the seating capacity of the venue.
  • Students who are approved for graduation after the ticket deadline will still need to request tickets through the link they receive in their BearMail. While UNC will make every effort to ensure ticket availability for all graduating students, guest tickets cannot be guaranteed if requested after the initial deadline.
  • If additional tickets are available following the initial ticket request deadline, graduating students will receive an email with instructions for requesting additional tickets and the total tickets remaining for their ceremony. Additional tickets may be requested until all remaining tickets are claimed.
  • For students who are approved for graduation after the initial ticket deadline, they will receive a ticket request email when their application is reported as approved from Registrar/Graduate School to University Events. Once the student information is uploaded, the student will receive a confirmation email from the ticketing system.
  • Graduating students will receive an email when there are no remaining tickets available for their ceremony.

Accessing Tickets

Students who have been approved to graduate will receive ceremony ticket information when their data is uploaded into the ticketing system. This will occur by the end of the following business day after it is received by University Events from Registrar/Graduate School. The email will include instructions to create an account and claim their guest tickets.

Please visit the Commencement FAQ page for more details.

Ticketing Timeline

  • February 28: Ticket request details emailed at 5 p.m. to students who have applied for graduation. 
  • March 31: Deadline at 11:59 p.m. MDT for ticket request with initial allotment of up to 6 tickets/graduating student.
  • April 1: Availability of additional tickets emailed at 5 p.m. MDT to students who have applied for graduation. (Dependent upon number of tickets requested by Monday, March 31 deadline.) 
  • May 1: If a final allotment of tickets remainsavailable, this will be emailed at 5 p.m. MDT to students who have been approved for graduation. (Dependent upon number of tickets requested by April 30.)  This potential final allotment is not guaranteed.
    • Graduate Ceremony
      • Up to 2 additional tickets (10 total), based on availability
    • Undergraduate Ceremonies
      • 9 a.m. HSS/MCB: Up to 1 additional ticket (9 total), based on availability
      • 12:30 p.m. EBS/PVA: Up to 2 additional tickets (11 total), based on availability
      • 3:30 p.m. NHS: Up to 2 additional tickets (11 total), based on availability
  • May 9: Final ticket request deadline at Noon MDT, based on ticket availability.

Ceremony Locations and Parking

ALL ceremonies will be located in the Bank of Colorado Area.

Parking is available at the Bank of Colorado Arena in lots L, M and Y. Vehicles must display valid state-issued hang tags or license plates.

Campus parking is free and open to the public during Commencement weekend. Parking permits are not required. Guests are asked to use official university parking lots. Parking in or near private residential areas is not permitted.

UNC Parking Map

Entrance of the Bank of Colorado Arena.

Visit Greeley

Welcome to Greeley! While you’re in town to celebrate, use our Visit Greeley partner and the Bear Biz directory to find local restaurants for celebration dinners, stay in hotels, and check out your graduate’s favorite hot spots near campus.

Be sure to visit our Bear sponsored businesses while you’re in town!

Visit Greeley

An aerial shot of UNC's campus at night time.

UNC Bookstore & Fan Shop

From diploma frames to alumni gear, you can find the perfect gift for your Bear Grad at the UNC Bookstore. Stop by the University Center location or shop  online.

UNC Bookstore

A UNC Graduate and her family pose with her degree.