Commencement Resources for Students
Information and Resources for Students
Schedule of Ceremonies
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- Friday, May 8: Graduate Commencement
- 6:00 p.m.
- Doctoral, Specialist and Master’s students
- 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday, May 9: Undergraduate Commencement
- 9:00 a.m.
- College of Natural and Health Sciences
- 12:30 p.m.
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Kenneth W. Monfort College of Business
- 3:30 p.m.
- College of Educational and Behavioral Sciences
- College of Performing and Visual Arts
- 9:00 a.m.
- Friday, May 8: Graduate Commencement
Must Know Info
- All Ceremonies are held in the Bank of Colorado Arena.
- Graduates will line up in the Campus Recreation Center Large Gym.
- All graduates should arrive at least 45 minutes before their ceremony start time to pick up their reader card and line up for the procession. Please leave personal items with family or friends.
- Graduating students will leave the lineup area before the ceremony start time.
- Guest tickets are required. Visit the ticket section for more info.
- Arena doors open for guests one hour prior to each ceremony. The west entrance, directly off the main parking lot, closes 15 minutes prior to each ceremony. Guests will then be directed to the north entrance.
- ALL guest entrance doors close at the start of the ceremony for the graduate processional. Late guests will wait in the lobby or in the security area until it’s finished.
Student Speakers
UNC invites graduating students to apply to serve as student speakers at the Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies. Selected speakers will represent the spirit of UNC by sharing meaningful experiences and inspiring the Class of 2026.
Application deadline: Sunday, March 1
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 the sale of tickets is prohibited. All 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, and guests without a ticket will not be permitted entry to the arena.
Tickets will not be available at the ceremony entrance door.
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 of March 31.
- Instructions for requesting tickets will be emailed to students at 5:00 p.m. on February 16.
- After the initial deadline, additional tickets may be offered based on the total number of tickets requested and the venue capacity.
- 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.
- Students who are approved for graduation after the initial ticket deadline 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, a confirmation email will be sent from the ticketing system. While UNC makes every effort to ensure ticket availability for all graduating students, guest tickets cannot be guaranteed if requested after the initial deadline.
- 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 16: Ticket request details emailed at 5:00 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 5:00 p.m. MDT to students who have applied for graduation. (Dependent upon number of tickets requested by March 31 deadline.)
- May 1:If a final allotment of tickets remains available, this will be emailed at 5:00 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.
- May 8: Final ticket request deadline at Noon MDT, based on ticket availability.
New Photo Opportunities
The University Events team is constantly striving to enhance the UNC Commencement experience. We’ll be setting up photo backdrops during the week leading up to commencement to give you the chance to capture your memories and celebrate your success!
Backdrops will be located on the main level of the Campus Commons.
Use #UNCBearGrad when you share your graduation posts and images on social media!
Line Up Location and Parking
- Both Friday and Saturday’s graduating students will line up in the Campus Recreation Large Gym.
- Graduating students not arriving with guests should park on the West side of LOT J. Guest parking will be in LOTS L, M and Y.
- Campus parking is free and open to the public during Commencement weekend. Parking permits are not required. Graduates and guests are asked to use official university parking lots. Parking in or near private residential areas is not permitted.
Order/Rent Regalia
Your years of hard work are almost complete, and your cap and gown are important symbols of your achievement!
Pick up your cap and gown at the Commencement Fair!
Bachelors’ Regalia
Masters’ Regalia
Doctoral Regalia
Commencement Fair: March 3 and 4
- Order and pick up in person at the Commencement Fair.
- Special order site will be available at the Fair.
Orders placed between March 5 and April 3 at 9:59 p.m. MST
- Order online to pick up in person at Cap & Gown Distribution or ship to your home.
Orders placed between April 3 at 10:00 p.m. MST and April 20 at 9:59 p.m. MST
- Final deadline to order online, home shipping only.
Cap and Gown Distribution (If not picked up at Commencement Fair or shipped to your home.)
- Thursday, May 7: 3 – 6 p.m.
- Friday, May 8: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Campus Recreation Center Small Gym
1300 23rd Street
Greeley, CO
Gowns and hoods must be returned to on-site reps NEAR THE WEST EXITS AT BANK OF COLORADO ARENA following the commencement ceremony. Caps and stoles are yours to keep! Check out our FAQ page for details on decorating your cap!
Regalia Rental Policies
UNC Partners with Herff Jones to provide regalia rental to all graduates. Please see their policies below.
- Caps, Tassels, Gowns, and Regalia Accessories (i.e. Stoles): A refund will be provided so long as the product is unused and unopened. Refunds must be requested within two weeks after the ceremony. Keeper products being returned by students are returned at their expense. Certain customized and year dated products are not eligible for refund or return. Please reach out to Herff Jones customer service if you have specific questions.
- Announcements and Fine Paper Accessories: All sales are final. Please review proofs carefully before finalizing orders.
- Frames: Refund must be requested within 1 month of the product being delivered to the customer.
- Class Rings: All sales are final.
We stand by our products and will offer refunds on any product if a manufacturing or material defect is present.
Latin Honors
Graduation with honors for undergraduate students is determined by your cumulative grade point average, of at least 56 UNC semester hours, at the time of degree completion.
If you meet the qualifications, including grades earned during your final semester, you will have Latin Honors designated on your diploma and official transcript.
**The Graduate School and graduate students do not receive Latin Honors.
- Summa Cum Laude: 3.9 – 4.0
- Magna Cum Laude: 3.8 – 3.89
- Cum Laude: 3.7 – 3.79
After Graduation
Once you’ve walked across the stage, you’re almost done!
The only things left are to receive your diploma and request your transcripts.
