ALL CEREMONIES
For Fall/Winter graduates, the College of Humanities offers one convocation ceremony on Friday, December 15, 2023 at 9:00 AM in the Student Union Memorial Center honoring both graduate and undergraduate degree candidates. For Spring/Summer graduates, the College of Humanities offers two distinct convocation ceremonies. Dates and details are to be announced for each ceremony held in May 2024.
The official University of Arizona Commencement in Arizona Stadium takes place on Friday, May 10, 2024. A separate RSVP is required to attend the official commencement.
UNDERGRADUATE – SEATING & PROCESSION
If you are an undergraduate (BA/BS/BGS/BIS), you will need to check in at the door, and you will be directed to sit within the designated student seating section. Students will process to the stage from their rows, in the order they are seated. There is no alphabetical order. Upon check-in, you will be given a NAME CARD. You will fill out your card with your name and major(s) as you’d like to be announced on stage. When your row is called, you’ll be directed to line up and process across the stage. Once at the reader’s podium, you will hand the card to the reader before crossing the stage. (You’ll have a chance to make sure your name is spoken clearly and correctly.) After crossing the stage, you will be directed to return to your seat promptly and remain seated until all names are called to give each graduate equal time to be recognized.
GRADUATE – SEATING & PROCESSION
If you are a graduate student (MA/PhD), you will need to check in at our designated Welcome table. We’ll confirm your attendance as well as your faculty hooder. At the May ceremony, all graduate students and faculty will assemble in the lobby for procession into the ballroom to a designated seating section. At the December ceremony, all graduate students will be directed to an assigned seat, and ushered to stage to process ahead of the undergraduate students. Seating is not alphabetical at either ceremony; you will rise from your seat when your name and your hooder’s name are announced. Once announced, you will walk to the center of the stage and greet your hooder. Once you are hooded, you will greet the Dean to collect your medallion before exiting the stage.
All MA and PhD candidates attending in-person must confirm your intent to attend and invite a faculty member to hood you at the ceremony. Your registration will allow you to complete these steps, but it's highly encouraged that you connect directly with your Graduate Service Coordinator (listed below) to confirm your graduation plans and/or changes.
SPANISH: Isela Gonzales-Cook
SLAT: Debbie Shon Buhler
SILLC: Lindsey Frazier Fera
HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS
All guests will be required to follow campus health and safety protocols in place at the time of any event as well as adhere to any existing state and local guidelines. The current University policy can be found here.
GUEST SEATING
Guest tickets are not required at the Winter ceremony or the Spring graduate ceremony (MA/PhD candidates).
For the Spring undergraduate ceremony, guests tickets will be required for entry. Tickets will be available for pick-up in April and instructions will be provided at that time. Please indicate the amount of tickets you would like on your registration. Up to 4 tickets are available to each graduate. On the day of the ceremony, your guests will be directed to the open seating area provided throughout the ballroom.
GRADUATE ATTIRE
You must purchase a cap and gown (and hood for MA/PhD candidates) from the Student Union Bookstore. Bookstore staff are on hand for fitting and specific regalia inquiries. Note, Humanities tassels and stoles are white in color. Tassels can be worn on the right side for the entire ceremony. Business/Business Casual attire is acceptable to wear underneath your graduate regalia.
Honors cords are distributed by the College of Humanities at the annual Dean's List Recognition event on September 29, 2023. If you are eligible and did not receive a cord, you may request to pick up a cord at the Dean's Office prior to the convocation ceremony. (Note, cords will not be distributed any earlier than Oct. 3, 2023.) Humanities Honors Cords are distinguished by four categories:
Highest Academic Distinction – Red/Navy/Gold
Academic Distinction – Red/Navy
Dean's List with Distinction – Red
Dean's List – Navy
We have a tradition to gift every graduate with a medallion in recognition of your degree and achievement in the College of Humanities. You will collect your medallion when you cross the stage, and graduates attending virtually may request a medallion by mail in your registration.
ACCESSIBILITY
There is a wheelchair accessible ramp located on stage as well as wheelchair seating for graduates and guests attending the ceremony. Please let our Event Team know if you require assistance or more information. The ceremony will be live captioned both online and in-person. In addition, the ceremony is translated in Spanish and a transcript is provided in guest programs to follow during the ceremony.
CEREMONY ETIQUETTE
This is an exciting celebration for everyone in attendance. After crossing the stage, you will be directed to return to your seat promptly and remain seated until all names are called to give each graduate equal time to be recognized. We allow ample time after the ceremony to take photos with family, friends, professors and the Dean. Please do not attempt to greet family/friends or leave the seating area during the ceremony as it can cause a disruption and is disrespectful of the students still to be recognized.
PICTURES / RECORDINGS
Family and friends are encouraged to take photos of your moment on stage. There is a center aisle that can be used to take a photos. We ask that anyone taking pictures please remain behind the ropes and return to their seats promptly. Note, there are no other official photos that will be made available to you.
PROGRAMS
Volunteers will hand out printed programs at the ceremony entrance. Extra copies will be available. A Spanish translation is provided online.
SLIDES
We will display a continuous reel of celebratory student slides before and after the ceremony. Slides are optional and will not be projected during the ceremony when your name is called. At the December and May undergraduate ceremonies, students are projected live on a large screen as they cross the stage, collect their medallion and greet the Dean.
VIDEO & LIVE STREAM
We will be video recording and live streaming the event. You can direct family and friends to watch at humanities.arizona.edu/live at the ceremony date/time (Arizona Standard Time). On the following Monday after the ceremony all graduates will receive a link to the video or you can find it on the main Humanities Convocation page.