School of Medicine & Dentistry (MD) FAQs

Commencement Weekend for the Class of 2026 takes place May 15–17, 2026. The formal celebrations kick off with the University Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 15, at 8:45 a.m., with the student processional into Fauver Stadium at the Brian F. Prince Athletic Complex on the River Campus. Degrees will be formally conferred at the University Commencement. Graduates will not cross the stage, and diplomas will not be distributed at this ceremony. Graduates are required to wear regalia. Registration is required to participate and there is no cap on the number of guests.

Find the latest information on the weekend schedule.

The MD graduation ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 12 p.m.

Location: Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, 26 Gibbs Street, Rochester, NY

MD graduates will cross the stage, and diplomas will be distributed at this ceremony. Graduates are required to wear regalia and register to participate. Please note: The Doctoral graduation ceremony is not the MD graduation ceremony.

There are many parking options for attendees. In addition to on-street parking, there is a city parking garage located next door at 475 East Main Street as well as a public lot across the street from Kodak Hall. Parking rates vary per event.

EAST END PARKING GARAGE
Location: 475 East Main Street (additional entrances on Swan Street, East Avenue, and Scio Street)

GIBBS ST. PARKING LOT
Location: 86 Gibbs Street

MD graduation regalia must be ordered before April 3, 2026. If you are an MD/PhD student, you need to select a PhD hood as an accessory. MD hoods will be distributed during the MD graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Regalia will be available for pick up at the University of Rochester Bookstore, May 4-12, 2026.

University of Rochester Bookstore–Barnes & Noble
1305 Mount Hope Ave
Rochester, NY 14620

Students cannot pick up regalia on behalf of another student. Students are permitted to pick up their family hooder regalia when they pick up their own academic attire. All SMD MD regalia must be picked before 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. All regalia can be returned immediately following the graduation ceremony at Kodak Hall or returned to the University Bookstore by May 22, 2026. Students are permitted to keep their MD and PhD hoods.

Faculty can register and order regalia via the commencement website.

Students must login to MedSIS and review your diploma name (Settings > My Profile > Diploma Name > Change to > Save) by March 1, 2026. The diploma name must be your legal name that is listed in MedSIS – you may add or remove your middle name(s) or initial.

Enter the phonetic pronunciation of your full name for the reader at Commencement (Settings > My Profile > Profile Info > Name Pronunciation > Save).

Yes, all graduating students must attend graduation rehearsal on Thursday, May 14. 2026. Please bring your regalia. Candidates must wear their cap and gown for the class photo. Transportation will be provided and more details to come.

There is no limit on the number of guests for the University Commencement Ceremony and the MD graduation ceremony.

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

For the safety of all attendees, bags will be subject to a bag search, and the following items are strictly prohibited 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
• 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