WInter 2008 Commencement Ceremony

Thursday, December 18, 2008
in the Retriever Activities Center at 10:00 a.m.
(Procession begins at 9:40 a.m.)

COMMENCEMENT OVERVIEW

UMBC's 2008 Winter Commencement will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2008, at 10 a.m. in the Retriever Activities Center (RAC) Arena (building 3 on the map). The Commencement procession begins promptly at 9:40 a.m. In observance of the National Anthem, guests will not be seated while the anthem is performed. When the doors reopen following the singing of the National Anthem, guests will be seated as space permits. Both undergraduate and graduate degrees will be awarded in the combined ceremony.

Because seating in the RAC is limited and the number of students choosing a December graduation has increased each year, the University will continue to provide students with tickets for their graduation guests. Tickets will allow their families and friends to have a more comfortable experience during the ceremony.

When students pick up their regalia from the Bookstore Graduation Center, they will receive FOUR tickets admitting their guests to the ceremony in the RAC. Also, at this time, undergraduates will receive their floor pass. The master's degree and doctoral students will receive their floor pass at the graduate student assembly area the day of Commencement.

For guests with special needs, such as hearing or mobility impairments, students will be required to exchange general admission tickets for special accommodations seats at the time students pick up their regalia. Up to two tickets may be exchanged.

All graduates participating in the Commencement ceremony MUST order the academic regalia that can only be ordered from the UMBC Bookstore Graduation Center. Candidates are prohibited from wearing a borrowed cap or gown from an alumnus/a or another student. NO EXCEPTIONS.

The dates for ordering regalia at the Bookstore Graduation Center are Monday, October 6 and Tuesday, October 7 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednesday, October 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.   Regalia can also be purchased online through Friday, October 17.  The cost of undergraduate regalia is $37.99.  Note:  There is no additional fee to students for master’s and Ph.D. regalia, as it has been included in the graduation fee.  Beginning October 13, candidates who order regalia will be assessed a $20 late fee. All forms of payment usually accepted in the Bookstore are allowed.

The Bookstore will not be responsible for regalia or tickets unclaimed by Tuesday, December 9, the last day of classes.

In addition to the ticketed seating in the RAC Arena, overflow seating will be available in Lecture Hall III of the Administration building, with a closed-circuit broadcast of the Commencement ceremony. Tickets will not be required at this location. When students pick up their regalia and tickets at the Bookstore, students will be asked to indicate the number of additional guests (if any) who may need seating in this area. This information will be used to plan for seating.

Future Commencement Dates:

Spring 2009 Graduate Commencement
Wednesday, May 20

Spring 2009 Undergraduate Commencement
Thursday, May 21

Winter 2009 Combined Commencement
Tuesday, December 22