Commencement Ceremony
Commencement is Saturday, December 15, 2012, at 9:30 a.m. in the Bob Devaney Sports Center.
You must report to the Devaney Center Indoor Track no later than 8:30 a.m. Leave your personal items and valuables with your guests.
The processional begins promptly at 9:20 a.m., and you must be in your cap and gown and in line before that time. Late arrivals will be placed in line by the Marshals. Your ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m.
Commencement participation is not required to graduate. 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 your yellow Commencement Attendance form and the white Graduate Statistical Information form you received in the mail 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.
Return the forms whether or not you are participating in commencement. These forms let us know what to do with your diploma. If you are graduating with two degrees, please list on your yellow Commencement Attendance form which degree candidates you wish to be seated with for the ceremony.
Admission to Commencement
Your family and friends are cordially invited to attend and may sit in any non-reserved seats other than the main floor, which is set for the graduates, faculty, and dignitaries. Tickets are not required for the ceremony.
Any guest with disabilities, accompanied by one person, may sit in a designated area on the main floor or in section B-11. 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
Campus parking lots are available without charge. Parking lots on the Innovation Campus are available without charge. All entrances to the Innovation Campus will be open. Please use the 27th Street gate when arriving and departing.
Academic Regalia
All participants are required to wear academic caps and gowns at Commencement. Graduates must wear the regalia appropriate to the degree they are being awarded at this ceremony. You may order regalia in person or by mail from the University Bookstore, City Campus Union, or you may simply pick it up at the Wick Center during the Grad Fest celebration.
Direct your regalia questions to the Bookstore (402)472-7300. You may order announcements or ceremony invitations from the vendor of your choice.
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 to receive your diploma. Hand your Name-Number Card to the photographer’s assistant at the end of the stage ramp as you return to your seat.
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 on the ceremony stage. All candidates will proceed to the stage alphabetically by degree from their seats as directed by the Marshals. A professional photographer will take your picture as you are handed your diploma and as you come down the ramp from 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 graduation day. You must present a photo ID to claim your diploma.
- By mail as requested on the enclosed yellow 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 yellow Commencement Attendance Form. Disabled Parking is available at the northeast corner of the Devaney Sports Center and in Innovation Campus lots.
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.
