Commencement Resources for Students
Information and Resources for Students
Commencement
Congrats, grad! Find all you need to know to be prepared for commencement, including a full schedule of ceremonies, programs, parking information and more.
Fall 2026 Commencement
Schedule of Ceremonies
- Friday, Dec. 11: Graduate Commencement
- 6:00 p.m.
- Doctoral, Specialist and Master’s students
- 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 12: Undergraduate Commencement
- 9:00 a.m.
- Kenneth W. Monfort College of Business
- College of Natural and Health Sciences
- College of Performing and Visual Arts
- 12:30 p.m.
- College of Educational and Behavioral Sciences
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- 9:00 a.m.
Must Know Info
- All Ceremonies are held in the Bank of Colorado Arena.
- Graduating students 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.
- Line up is held in the Campus Recreation Center Large Gym.
- 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.
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
- Students must apply and be approved for graduation before requesting tickets. Eligible students will receive application instructions from the Registrar (undergraduate students) or the Graduate School (graduate students).
- Graduating students may request UP TO 6 TICKETS before the initial deadline of October 30.
- Instructions for requesting tickets will be emailed to students by 5:00 p.m. on November 1.
- 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
- September 30: Ticket request details emailed by 5:00 p.m. to students who have applied for graduation.
- November 1: Deadline at 11:59 p.m. MDT for ticket request with initial allotment of up to 6 tickets/graduating student.
- November 2: Availability of additional tickets emailed by 5:00 p.m. MDT to students who have applied for graduation. (Dependent upon number of tickets requested by November 1 deadline.)
- December 1: If a final allotment of tickets remains available, this will be emailed by 5:00 p.m. MDT to students who have been approved for graduation. (Dependent upon number of tickets requested by November 30.) This potential final allotment is not guaranteed.
- December 10: Final ticket request deadline at Noon MDT, based on ticket availability.
Student Speakers
Apply to be a Student Speaker
UNC invites graduating students to apply to serve as student speakers at the Fall 2026 Commencement ceremonies. Selected speakers will represent the spirit of UNC by sharing meaningful experiences and inspiring the Class of 2026.
Deadline: 11:59 p.m., October 4, 2026
Nominate a Student Speaker
Students, faculty, and staff are invited to nominate a graduating student for consideration as a student commencement speaker; nominees will receive an email inviting them to apply.
Line Up Location and Parking
Graduate Arrival
- Graduating students 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.
- Line up is held in the Campus Recreation Center Large Gym.
Parking
- 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!
Order and pick up your cap and gown in person at the Commencement Fair on October 1. A special-order site will be available at the Fair.
Bachelors’ Regalia
Masters’ Regalia
Doctoral Regalia
Orders placed between October 2 and November 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 November 3 at 10:00 p.m. MST and November 15 at 9:59 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, December 10: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
- Friday, December 11: 10:00 p.m. – 5:00 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.
Photo Opportunities
- Make plans to capture memories and celebrate your success with UNC photo backdrops!
- Backdrops will be located on the main level of the Campus Commons. Schedule will be posted closer to the ceremony dates.
- Use #UNCBearGrad when you share your graduation posts and images on social media!
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.
