Frequently asked questions

Commencement Weekend for the Class of 2025 takes place May 16-18, 2025. The formal celebrations kick off with the University Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 16, 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 18. 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.

A livestream of the University Commencement Ceremony will be available. The link will be shared on this website.

Graduation ceremonies will occur from Friday, May 16, through Sunday, May 18. 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 17, 2025, with start times ranging from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

There are several receptions and events on Thursday, May 15 in the afternoon and evening that may be of interest to graduates and their families.

Order by Monday, March 31, 2025, to have it shipped to you (shipping charges apply). Don’t wait—secure your regalia in time for the big day!

Order student regalia

Class of 2025 graduates from all schools can register for weekend ceremonies, and register their guests for the University Commencement Ceremony.

Register now

Candidates and graduates from Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025 terms are eligible to take part in the 2025 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.

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.

The University Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 16 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, soda cans, and all outside food and beverages (bottled water and personal water bottles are ok, but complimentary water will be available inside Fauver Stadium for graduates and all guests.) Concessions are sold inside stadium.
• 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

Faculty and staff will have an opportunity to support the ceremony in various roles so the graduates, families, and friends can have an enjoyable Commencement experience.

Watch @Rochester this spring for a call for faculty and staff to volunteer.

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.

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.