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 live stream of the ceremony.
Schedule and Ticket Allotments
| Time | Ceremony Type | College(s) | Tickets allotted per graduate |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Summer 2025 schedule and allotments coming soon.** | |||
Arrival and Parking
*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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Free parking is available in Lot 18 and shuttles run regularly to and from the Arena.
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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 an undergraduate, you should wear the tassel on your cap on the right side. If you are a graduate student, you should wear your tassel on the left side.
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Coats and jackets are not recommended. Wear light and breathable clothing.
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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.
Tickets and Guest Seating
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All guests must have a ticket. You can send your tickets from your Tassel account as many times to as many people as you like, but each ticket only scans once. Guests may print them at home or have them ready to scan on their mobile device.
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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.
- Visit the Guests page for more information.
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.
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, follow the marshal that led you in towards the stage to exit.
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
Schedule and Ticket Allotments
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Time
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Ceremony Type
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College(s)
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Tickets allotted per graduate
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|---|---|---|---|
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**Schedule and ticket information coming soon.**
|
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Arrival and Parking
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Free parking is available in Lot 18, and ADA-accessible shuttles run regularly to and from the UNF Arena (Bldg. 34).
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Download a PDF version of the campus map by clicking on this link.
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The Arena doors will open one hour before the ceremony. Graduates must check in at the Field House (Bldg. 26).
Seating
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Guest seating is first-come, first-served. Ushers will help direct guests to their seats.
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There are designated seating areas for guests with mobility, auditory, or visual limitations. ADA ushers at the Arena entrance will direct your party to these areas.
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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.
Ceremony
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Program: The digital program can be accessed via QR code signs in the Arena or by visiting our homepage.
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Live Stream: All ceremonies are live streamed with chyrons and captions on YouTube. Guests can access our channel by clicking this link.
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Length: Each ceremony will last approximately between 1.5 and 2.5 hours.
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Diplomas: Graduates will receive a diploma cover during their stage-crossing. Their diploma will arrive to their mailing address on file about a month after the ceremony.
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Regalia return: Graduates should ship their regalia back within a week of the ceremony. Shipping is free and they can print a shipping label via this link.
Tickets and Younger Guests
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All guests must present a ticket for entry into the UNF Arena. Tickets may be scanned from your mobile device or printed at home. Each ticket scans only once.
- Children's tickets and seating: Children 4 years of age and younger are not required to have a ticket. Children in a car seat/carrier (not recommended), will need a ticket because the carrier would take the space of a seat.
- Strollers and car seats: 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.
Photo and Video
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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.
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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.
Safety and Security
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All graduates, faculty, staff, vendors, and guests will be screened by metal detectors.
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To expedite entry, we ask guests to not carry large bags with them, unless they are medically or otherwise necessary. Clear, gallon-size bags are permitted. Bags will be subject to search upon entry into the UNF Arena.
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It is recommended that all guests arrive early. Doors will close ten minutes prior to the ceremony start time.
Accessibility
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Graduate accessibility: Participating graduates requiring accessibility accommodations, such as an interpreter or escort, should email commencement@unf.edu at least two weeks prior to the ceremony.
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Deaf and hard-of-hearing guests: UNF Commencement designates a section of the UNF Arena for our deaf and hard-of-hearing guests. Spectators sitting in this section will have an unobstructed view of an ASL interpreter signing for the ceremony. Guests needing access to this section should notify an usher once inside the UNF Arena.
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Seating for limited mobility guests: Guests with limited mobility should notify an usher inside the Arena who will direct them to designated ADA seating. There will be limited wheelchair seating on the floor.
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Captioning and Visual Aids: While in the UNF Arena, the commencement ceremony will be displayed on its jumbo-tron and include open captions, name display when graduates are crossing the stage, and picture-on-picture of the ASL interpreter.
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Shuttles: ADA accessible, complimentary shuttles run between Lot 18 to the UNF Arena.
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More information can be found on the UNF Student Accessibility Center webpage.
Prohibited Items
- Any firearms, edged weapons (including pocket knives), replicas, tasers, and pepper spray
- Smoking, vaping or tobacco use
- Pets unless clearly marked as service animals
- Any sign, banner, or poster larger than 8.5" x 11"
- Bull horns, cowbells, or artificial noisemakers
- Drones
- Laser pointers or light pointers
- Unapproved pamphlets, handouts or advertisements
- Skateboards, roller blades, roller shoes, etc.
- Backpacks and bags, including large camera bags (See below for bag exceptions)
Permitted Items
- Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12".
- One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar).
- Diaper/baby bags.
- Small handheld clutch bags (no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”).
- Any medically necessary items.
Appropriate Conduct
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Please silence cell phones and other devices 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 so every family can hear their graduate's name announced.
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Dispose of of any concessions or trash before exit in the designated receptacles.
Faculty
Schedule and Ticket Allotments
| Time | Ceremony Type | College(s) | Tickets allotted per graduate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2025 schedule of ceremonies coming soon. | |||
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 July 4 to reserve your seat in the Arena.
Faculty and Student Marshals
- 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.
- 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.
- Training is provided to all volunteers. Volunteer sign-up for Aug. 1 coming soon!
Academic Regalia
- If you are participating and do not own regalia, you will need to reserve regalia by clicking the button below. Regalia will be from the institution of your terminal degree. Faculty rental regalia costs will be covered by the Registrar's Office.
- Orders ship to the address of your choice and include a shipping label for free return back to Herff Jones during the week following commencement. We recommend you keep the shipping box to make return easy. If you need a new shipping label, you can print one via this page for free.
- The deadline for faculty to order regalia is Friday, June 20, 2025.
- Please return your regalia within the week following commencement using the pre-paid shipping label included in your initial delivery or you can print one via this page at no cost.
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) at least 15 minutes 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.