Frequently asked questions

Commencement Weekend for the Class of 2027 takes place May 14-16, 2027. The formal celebrations kick off with the University Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 14, at 8:45 a.m., with the student processional into Fauver Stadium at the Brian F. Prince Athletic Complex on the River Campus. During that ceremony, all degrees—for both undergraduate- and graduate-degree candidates—will be conferred by University President Sarah Mangelsdorf.

Commencement Weekend continues with events for graduates, their families and friends, faculty, and staff through Sunday, May 16. Those events include celebration ceremonies for schools and departments, during which each student will be recognized individually.

Find the latest information on the weekend schedule. The schedule of department ceremonies will be released in February 2027.

Livestreamed broadcasts of the University Commencement Ceremony and school and department graduation ceremonies will be available on this website.

Graduation ceremonies will occur from Friday, May 14, through Sunday, May 16. Find the latest information on the weekend schedule.

Departmental ceremonies for the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences and the School of Arts & Sciences will be held Saturday, May 15, 2027, with start times ranging from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

There are several receptions and events on Thursday, May 13, in the afternoon and evening that may be of interest to graduates and their families.

Staff throughout the University community are encouraged to volunteer at the University Commencement ceremony. Volunteers will be a part of the excitement and have the opportunity to celebrate with our graduates and their guests. Volunteer opportunities will be advertised in Spring 2027. Before registering, staff should consult with their supervisor for approval.

Information about ordering regalia will be available in early 2027.

Graduates participating in any ceremony are required to wear academic regalia or the dress uniform of one of the U.S. Armed Forces. Graduates may additionally wear honor cords or stoles, many of which are provided by academic programs, student organizations, and affinity groups. Graduates may decorate their mortarboards, provided the decorations are appropriate for Commencement and do not interfere with visibility or safety.

Registration information will be available in early 2027. Eligible graduates will receive an email directly regarding registration. Graduates are responsible for registering their guests for Commencement.

Candidates and graduates from Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Summer 2027 terms are eligible to take part in the 2027 Commencement Weekend ceremonies.

Diplomas will arrive for students who have completed degree requirements in the mail via US Postal Service unless other mailing services have been arranged.

Diplomas will not be presented to candidates during Commencement Weekend.

To ensure proper delivery, candidates that are eligible should complete the Application for Graduation and update their diploma mailing address and diploma name.  Those who are not eligible for the Application for Graduation should verify their information with their school’s Registrar Office. Eligibility can be determined here.

All guests must be registered by a 2027 graduate to attend the University Commencement Ceremony. Guests will receive a personalized QR code once they are registered and will be required to present their QR code to enter Fauver Stadium.

Registration is not required for guests under the age of five.

There’s no limit on the number of guests for the University Commencement Ceremony.

However, graduates should check with their school or department for specific guest guidelines for other graduation events throughout the weekend.

Yes, ADA seating is available. Graduates can provide information about their guests with special accommodations through the registration process.

Review more information about accommodations.

The University Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 14 will remain outdoors, even in inclement weather, and guests should dress accordingly. If a dangerous weather event prohibits the ceremony from taking place as planned, it will be canceled and not rescheduled.

The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and all visitors to campus is our top priority. The University Commencement Ceremony will be staffed by the Department of Public Safety, University Health Service, Environmental Health & Safety, emergency medical technicians, and other university leaders.

For the safety of all attendees, bags will be subject to a bag search, and the following items are strictly prohibited within Fauver Stadium for the ceremony:

• Artificial noisemakers, including air horns or bullhorns
• Signs, posters, or flags
• Large golf-style umbrellas (small collapsible umbrellas will be permitted)
• Sticks or poles, including tripods or selfie sticks
• Glass bottles (complimentary water will be available inside Fauver Stadium for graduates and all guests.)
• Coolers
• Firearms, knives, scissors, needles, razor blades, or weapons of any type
• Fireworks and open flames
• Pepper spray/mace
• Laser pointers
• Aerosol containers
• Hazardous, chemical, radiological, or biological materials
• Sports balls or sporting equipment of any type
• Wrapped gifts or boxes, or gifts that are exceedingly large
• Animals or pets—except for service animals

Because the invitation must come from the graduate, the University cannot provide a letter directly for this purpose. A template letter is available for invited guests to use during the visa interview at the US Port of Entry, or elsewhere as needed. The University Registrar can confirm degree conferrals. Additional information can be found on the ISO webpage.

We anticipate changes to the F-1 regulations in the coming months and will post updates here. Please check this site for the most recent FAQs.

F-1 students have a 60-day grace period after the completion of their program, during which time they may:

• Travel within the United States and make plans to return home.
• Transfer their SEVIS record to another school. Your SEVIS transfer must be completed while you are still within your eligible grace period, otherwise the University will not be able to transfer your record.
• Apply to USCIS for a Change of Status.
• Apply for OPT. If your record is completed and you are no longer maintaining F-1 status and you are outside of your 60-day grace period, the University cannot issue you an OPT recommendation and you will not be able to apply for OPT.

If you depart the U.S. during your grace period, your grace period automatically ends, and you will not be able to re-enter the U.S. in valid F-1 status using the I-20 from your completed program.

Review the guidelines for extending or shortening your program here. If you will complete your degree requirements earlier or later than the program end date listed on your I-20, you will need to complete a Program Completion Date form, get that signed by your advisor and dean’s office, then submit the form via URcompass for an advisor to review.

If full-time enrollment is not necessary for the last semester of your program, you also need to complete a Reduced Course Load form and submit it along with your program extension request.

Your program extension or shorting must be processed before the program end date listed on your I-20, so it should be submitted as soon as possible.

All entry into the U.S. is at the discretion of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), even for current students. The University cannot guarantee re-entry, even if documentation is up-to-date and the program end date is in the future. The University recommends contacting CBP before finalizing travel plans, especially if the student has completed all academic requirements to graduate.