Commencement Ceremony
Commencement is Friday, December 14, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. in the Bob Devaney Sports Center.
You must report to the Devaney Center Indoor Track no later than 2:00 p.m. Leave your personal items and valuables with your guests.
If you taught this term, be sure you have submitted all changes to early degree grades for any courses to Graduation Services at (402)472-3636 before you report to the Devaney Center.
The processional begins promptly at 2:50 p.m., and you must be checked in having verified your name pronunciation, wearing your regalia and in line before that time. Commencement participation is not required to graduate, but it is the only way to obtain your diploma on Friday.
Students who participate in the ceremony are expected to remain for the entire event. You will not be allowed to collect your diploma and depart before the recessional.
Required Forms
If you are graduating with multiple degrees in a single term, you must complete a separate Application for Degree form and pay a $25.00 non-refundable fee for each degree.
You must legibly complete and return the purple Commencement Attendance form and the white Graduate Statistical Information form you received in the mail. You must return the two forms to the Graduation Services Office, 109 Canfield Administration Building South, no later than Friday, November 30, 2012, (refers to December Graduation) to advise us of your plans.
If you are participating in the ceremony, legibly write your name phonetically as it is pronounced on the second line at the top of the form, (for example, the name Jennifer Verhein would be phonetically Jenn-eh-fur Vurr-hine). Your name pronunciation will be confirmed when you check in before your ceremony.
Return the forms whether or not you are participating in commencement. Doctoral graduates return the forms even if you have already responded to Eva Bachman. These forms let us know what to do with your diploma.
Admission to Commencement
Your family and friends are cordially invited to attend and are encouraged to be seated toward the East end of the arena for best viewing of the graduates. Tickets are not required for the ceremony. The area on the main floor is reserved for the graduates, faculty, and dignitaries.
Any guest with disabilities, accompanied by one person, may sit in a designated area on the main floor. Aisle seats are available on the upper level for guests who are ambulatory restricted. The commencement ceremony will be streamed live on the UNL website at www.unl.edu.
Parking
Permits are required for parking in Campus lots. Parking lots on the Innovation Campus are available without charge. All entrances to the Innovation Campus will be open.
Academic Regalia
All participants are required to wear academic caps, gowns and hoods at Commencement. Graduates must wear the regalia appropriate to the degree they are being awarded at this ceremony. Doctoral graduates will carry their hoods for the processional and be hooded on stage as part of the ceremony. All other graduates must wear their hoods for the entire ceremony.
You may order regalia in person or by mail from the University Bookstore, City Campus Union, or simply pick it up at the Wick Center at the Grad Fest celebration that will be scheduled later this term. Direct your regalia questions to the Bookstore (402)472-7300.
Instructions
Specific instructions will be given by red-gowned Marshals before the processional begins. Please pay attention to these instructions so your Commencement will proceed smoothly. Follow the Marshals’ instructions throughout the processional, ceremony, and recession.
After the processional, take the seat indicated by the Marshal and sit down. Show the Name-Number Card you received upon your arrival at the indoor track area to the Marshals as you approach the stage ramp to receive your diploma. Hand your Name-Number Card to the assistant at the foot of the ramp as you approach the stage.
Your tassel should remain on the right side of your mortar board cap until all degrees have been conferred, at which time the Chancellor will direct all graduates to move the tassel from the right side to the left side of their caps.
Diplomas
Each candidate participating in Commencement will receive their diploma from a College Dean as they cross the ceremony stage. Your name will be read as you approach the stage. All candidates will proceed to the stage alphabetically by degree from their seats as directed by the Marshals.
The only way to receive your diploma on Friday is to participate in the Commencement ceremony. A professional photographer will take your picture as you are hooded, when you are handed your diploma, and as you walk down the ramp to exit the stage.
All financial obligations to the University must be satisfied before your diploma will be released. If you are uncertain about your financial obligation, check with the Office of Student Accounts, 124 Canfield Administration Building North (402)472-2887.
Candidates who choose not to participate in the Commencement ceremony may receive their diploma as follows:
- Pick it up at the Devaney Sports Center Indoor Track between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 15, 2012. You may NOT pick up your diploma on commencement Friday. You must present a photo ID to claim your diploma.
- By mail as requested on the enclosed purple form. Diplomas will be mailed the Monday following Commencement. No mailing charge to United States addresses. There is a $15.00 mailing fee for international addresses.
- Pick it up at the Graduation Services Office, 109 Canfield Administration Building South, beginning the Monday following Commencement. You must present a photo ID to claim your diploma.
Graduates with Disabilities
Graduates with disabilities are very welcome and should notify us several days before Commencement to allow time to establish reasonable accommodations. Please report any special needs to Dr. Patrice Berger, Head Marshal, at (402)472-8203. He will advise you regarding procedures to be followed.
Also please note your need for accommodations on your purple Commencement Attendance Form. Disabled Parking is available at the perimeter of the Devaney Sports Center.
Change in Plans
Please call the Graduation Services Office at (402)472-3636 as soon as you determine you are unable to complete your requirements for graduation this semester, or if you change your mind about participating in the Commencement ceremony.
