Ceremony Information
Graduates
Important Information
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Attendance at commencement is optional, and participation in the ceremony does not guarantee the conferral of your degree.
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There is no rehearsal, so it is important that you closely read the emails sent to your UNF inbox and the information on this site prior to attending the ceremony.
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The University of North Florida welcomes everyone to tune in to the UNF Graduation YouTube channel for a livestream of the ceremony.
Arrival
*Check-in will be available one hour before your ceremony begins. You should arrive wearing your cap and rental gown.*
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Official UNF cap and gown from Herff Jones is required for participation in commencement.
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Please arrive early to ensure all participants are able to be checked in on time for the ceremony.
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If you are a bachelor's candidate, you should wear the tassel on your cap on the right side. If you are a master's or doctoral candidate, you should wear your tassel on the left side.
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Coats and jackets are not recommended, as you will be wearing a rental gown.
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Please do not carry purses, backpacks or helmets; there is no place to store them.
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If you arrive late, you will have to march at the end of the procession. Once the procession has begun, there is no opportunity for you to join your group.
Guest Seating
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All guests must have a ticket.
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General admission seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
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No guests are permitted in the degree candidates' seating area.
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Commencement protocol does not permit seating of guests during the procession; late arrivals must wait to be seated until the procession ends.
Assembly and Processional
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You must check in at the Field House (Building 26) at the front entrance.
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You will check in with the graduation staff to receive your name card and determine where to line up with your college for the processional.
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During check-in, verify that the information on your name card is correct. If it's not, a help desk will be on site to make corrections.
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The processional begins when the marshals lead you onto the main floor of the UNF Arena. You will proceed in a side-by-side single-file line, and remain standing until the President asks you to be seated.
Conferral of Degrees
- Degrees will be conferred during each of the respective ceremonies for each college.
Crossing the Stage
- Getting to the stage: The marshal will release your row to proceed up to the stage. You will exit your seat to the outside of the row (not to the center aisle), and proceed up the walkway to the ramps leading onto the stage. A photo will be taken of you on the ramp.
- Crossing the stage: Another photo will be taken as you receive your diploma cover on stage. Cross the stage and exit off of the other ramp and return to your seat via the center aisle. If you are seated on the right side of the UNF Arena, you will cross the stage right-to-left. If you are seated on the left side of the UNF Arena, you will cross left-to-right. All degree candidates are recognized individually - your name will be read aloud as you cross the stage. Honors distinctions are not read.
- Returning to your seat: After your photo is taken, proceed back to your seat via the center aisle (not the outside aisle from which you left).
- Exiting the ceremony: At the conclusion of the ceremony, you will receive guidance from one or more of the marshals that led you in during the processional on how to exit the ceremony.
Appropriate Conduct
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Please remain seated during the ceremony.
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Cell phones and other devices should be turned off or remain on silent.
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All graduates and their guests are asked to remain in attendance for the entire ceremony as a sign of respect for all University graduates.
Families and Guests
Arrival
- The doors to the Arena will open to guests an hour before the ceremony.
Seating
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Guest seating is first-come, first-served. Ushers can help direct guests to their seats.
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There are designated seating areas for guests with mobility limitations and those who are wheelchair users. An usher can direct your party to these areas. If you need accommodations due to a visual or hearing impairment, please send an email to commencement@unf.edu.
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Guests are not permitted in the students' seating area at any time. Guests will not be seated during the processional. Late arrivals must wait until the procession ends.
Tickets & Younger Guests
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All guests must present a ticket for entry into the UNF Arena.
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Children's Tickets and Seating: Children 4 years of age and younger without a car seat or carrier will not be required to have a ticket to enter the venue. However, if you bring a child in a car seat/carrier (not recommended), you will need a ticket because the carrier would take the space of a seat.
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Strollers: Be advised that strollers brought into the UNF Arena cannot be taken into the upper and lower-level seating area. It is recommended not to bring child seats/carriers or strollers if possible.
Photography and Videography
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Photographs are encouraged, but only from either your seat or the two locations in the upper level of the Arena that are designated for photography.
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Be mindful of others, and do not stand along the walkway on the second level at any time. This is an essential safety measure to ensure that all graduates can be seen by their guests.
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All graduates will have individual photos taken by Flash Photography and videos of their stage crossings will be available through StageClip.
Appropriate Conduct
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Cell phones and other devices should be turned off during the ceremony.
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Please remain seated for the entire ceremony as a sign of respect for all graduating students.
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Hold all applause and refrain from loud celebrations until the conclusion of the ceremony, so that all families can hear their graduate's name announced.
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For further information, visit our Know Before You Go page.
Faculty
Faculty Processional
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Role description: Members are led by the faculty marshal en masse to begin each ceremony and are seated together at the front of the Arena for the ceremony's duration.
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RSVP: RSVP via the button below by November 1st to reserve your seat in the Arena.
Faculty & Student Marshals
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Role descriptions
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Faculty marshals carry a large mace to lead the faculty processional and assist in routing students from their seats to the stage during the ceremony.
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Student marshals carry small maces to lead the processional of graduates from their colleges in each ceremony. These are seated with the graduates of their colleges and assist in getting students re-seated after they cross the stage.
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Submit an inquiry: Faculty interested in serving as commencement marshals can inquire via the button below. Please inquire by October 11.
Academic Regalia
The deadline for faculty to reserve regalia is Thursday, October 24th.
Faculty members will be contacted by the UNF Commencement Office once their orders are ready for pick up. Your items must be returned to the UNF Bookstore within the week following commencement.
Follett and the UNF Bookstore have exclusive rights to buy, sell, rent, and distribute official regalia for commencement.
Commencement Day
- All faculty participating in the processional should meet in the Field House (Bldg. 26) prior to the ceremony.
- Faculty serving as marshals should arrive in the Field House at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony.
- Light refreshments and seating will be provided in the faculty staging area at the rear of the Field House.