About Commencement
What is Commencement?
Commencement is the main UNM graduation ceremony hosted by the university.
When is Commencement?
Friday, December 19 at 6:00 p.m., University Arena
at the corner of University Boulevard and César Chavez Blvd.
How long does it last?
The commencement ceremony lasts about 2 1/2 hours.
Participating in Commencement
How do I participate?
Complete the online Student sign-up form at graduation.unm.edu.
Will I be recognized individually?
All graduates will process across the stage to be recognized individually and will be given a diploma cover and university medallion. Diplomas will not be given out at the ceremony, they will be ready approximately two months after graduation. See the Diplomas page at graduation.unm.edu for more information. Questions regarding your diploma should be directed to Records and Registration at 277-6310 or by e mail to degrees@unm.edu.
Am I eligible to participate?
Students who are eligible to participate in commencement are those who complete their degree requirements by the end of the current semester. Other eligible students are those who lack no more than six credit hours which will be completed next semester. If you have further questions regarding your eligibility, please contact your advisor.
About Convocation
What is a convocation? Is my school/college having a convocation?
Convocation ceremonies are celebrations hosted by individual UNM colleges, schools, and departments specifically for their graduates. Each of these ceremonies may be different in form and structure and may range from a formal graduation ceremony to a casual reception. See the Schedule of Events at graduation.unm.edu for ceremony dates and times.
Who do I contact at my school/college with questions?
See the Convocation coordinator listing found on the Schedule of Events page at graduation.unm.edu.
Caps, Gowns, Tassel Position
Where do I get my cap & gown?
Caps and gowns are required in order to participate in main commencement ceremonies and can be purchased at the UNM Bookstore or Medical Legal Bookstore. Academic regalia may or may not be required at individual convocations, so check with your school or college. Bachelor's degree graduates wear silver colored caps and gowns, Master's and Doctoral degree graduates wear black caps and gowns. Also, Master's and Doctoral graduates must purchase hoods as part of their academic regalia. For further information, please contact the UNM Bookstore Gift Department at 277-7469.
Which side does my tassel go on?
Before graduating, the tassel should be on your right. After graduating, it should be moved to the left.
Multiple Majors
What if I have multiple majors?
If you have more than one major, you may participate in the appropriate general commencement ceremony as well as convocation ceremonies for one or both departments in which you are graduating.
Parking
Where do I park?
There is ample parking at University Arena at no charge.
Processional Line Up For Commencement
Where do I go for processional line-up?
You will receive email instructions closer to the ceremony. Be sure to complete the Student sign up form on our web site so we have a current email address to send you the instructions.
Will my name be in the program?
You must be a prospective Fall
2008
graduate to have your name printed in the commencement program. Your name will be listed as it exists in your student record. If you have changes to your name, please notify your advisor AND the Office of Records and Registration to update your student record before our program publication deadline of
November 07, 2008
.
IMPORTANT: If you have a privacy flag set in your student record, your name will NOT be printed in the program unless you do ONE of the following before our program publication deadlines:
By November 07, 2008
: Contact the Office of the Registrar at the campus where you attend to have your privacy flag removed permanently from your academic record.
OR
By
November 14, 2008
: Sign a 'Limited Privacy Waiver' in our office (please remember to bring a picture ID) in order to release your directory information for commencement purposes only.
To check to see if your record has a privacy flag setting, search for yourself in the online UNM directory. Student entries are normally made 'public'. Those with a privacy flag on their account are not included in the directory. For more information see Fastinfo Answers.
Rehearsal
Will there be a rehearsal?
There will not be a rehearsal.
Special Accommodations
Who do I contact for special accommodations?
Graduates attending either of the general commencement ceremonies who need special accommodations for themselves or their guests should indicate the nature of the accommodations needed when completing the Student sign-up form on the our web site. Please be sure to provide contact information so that we may contact you directly. For more information, go to the special needs section of this website. If you have any questions, please call the Office of the Secretary at 277-4664.
Tickets
Are tickets required for graduates or guests?
Tickets are not required of graduates or their guests at this time, and there is no limit to the number of guests a graduate may invite.
If your question has not been answered here, please contact the Office of the Secretary at 277-4664.
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