CEREMONY DATE:

1. Candidates completing degree requirements this fall semester and students who received degrees in August 2009, are invited to the December Commencement exercises on Saturday, December 19 2009. Attendance is not mandatory, and diplomas will not be available at Commencement but will be mailed to those who qualify.

UNDERGRADUATE & PROFESSIONAL DEGREE CANDIDATE ASSEMBLY AREA:

2. All candidates for undergraduate and professional (law, medicine, and pharmacy) degrees will assemble in single file behind their college and/or department signs in Bear Down Gym no later than 9:00 a.m. The procession starts at 9:10 a.m. All participants MUST wear a cap and gown. You will walk from Bear Down to McKale Center, so wear comfortable shoes.

GRADUATE COLLEGE DEGREE CANDIDATE ASSEMBLY AREA:

3. All candidates for Graduate College degrees, specialist degrees, will assemble on the north side of the Main Library in single file as assigned by the Graduate College no later than 9:00 a.m. The procession starts at 9:10 a.m. All participants MUST wear a cap and gown. You will walk from the Main Library to McKale Center, so wear comfortable shoes.

TICKETS AND SEATING IN MCKALE CENTER:

4. In general, tickets are not required. Guest attendance and seating are unrestricted, except for Section 15 and Section 18. A ticket is required to sit in Section 15. Section 18 is reserved for guests who require the use of ASL interpreters. No ticket is required to sit in Section 18. Seating is limited in Section 18 and available on a first come, first served basis.

5. During the procession into McKale Center, when reaching your seat, remain standing until the platform group is in place. Please do not stand on the chairs. If you leave your seat during the ceremony, you will be allowed to return to your seat during the next break in the proceedings.

6. Children are not allowed to process with degree candidates. Children are to be seated in the audience with the guests and not among the candidates.

7. A recessional for the platform group will play at the close of the ceremony. After the platform group has left the floor you may leave.

DURING THE CEREMONY:

8. UNDERGRADUATES -- The Dean of each College will ask their respective candidates for Baccalaureate degrees to rise and be recognized and then to be seated. When all colleges have been recognized and presented to the President, the President will confer upon the entire group of bachelor's degree candidates their respective degrees.

9. DOCTORS OF PHILOSOPHY, EDUCATION, AND MUSICAL ARTS -- The Dean of the Graduate College will mail you additional special instructions.

10. MASTERS AND SPECIALISTS -- The Dean of the Graduate College will mail you additional special instructions.

11. JURIS DOCTORS, DOCTORS OF MEDICINE, AND DOCTORS OF PHARMACY --The respective dean will mail you additional special instructions.

CANDIDATE ATTIRE:

12. Candidates for Bachelor's degrees will wear cap and gown. Candidates for Master's, Professional, and Specialists degrees will wear cap, gown, and hood. Doctors of Philosophy, Education, and Musical Arts candidates will wear cap, gown, and hood. Caps, gowns, and hoods are available at the UA BookstoreS (http://www.uofabookstores.com/uaz/graduation/). Announcements and other graduation items are available at the bookstore or through Fast Copy in the Student Union.

13. Keep your tassel on the RIGHT side of your cap during the ceremony, until instructed otherwise.

STUDENTS & GUESTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS:

14. Students/guests with disabilities requiring accommodations and those who will have difficulty with the procession should contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC, 520.621.3268). Guests requiring ASL interpreters may use the reserved seating in Section 18 (520.621.3268 V/TTY). PHOTOS:

15. You are welcome to take photos before, during, and after the ceremony. No photographers or family members of graduates will be allowed on the floor of McKale Center before, during or after the ceremony. Following the ceremony, graduates and guests WILL NOT be permitted on the stage or floor of McKale to take pictures. Security will escort guests from restricted areas.

BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS:

16. Please do not throw food or other objects before, during, or after the ceremony. Throwing objects is considered disruptive behavior. Disruptive participants will be asked to leave the ceremony. Disruptive guests will also be asked to leave the ceremony.

17. TO MANY STUDENTS, COMMENCEMENT REPRESENTS THE ONLY FORMAL CELEBRATION OF THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, AND IT IS OFTEN MEANINGFULLY SHARED WITH CLOSE FRIENDS AND FAMILY. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ENJOY COMMENCEMENT WITHOUT ALCOHOL, YOU SHOULD NOT ATTEND