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Frequently Asked Questions

Ceremony

  • Where is the ceremony and what time do I need to be there?

    Commencement takes place in the UNF Arena, Building 34. Graduates will be able to check in and line up for the processional an hour-and-a-half early. You must use the side entrance at the east side of the Field House, Building 26, near Lot 34. Refer to the Commencement Homepage for ceremony dates and times. 

    All graduates, faculty, staff, vendors and guests will be screened by metal detectors and all bags will be checked upon each entry into the Field House and the Arena. Plan accordingly and arrive early to ensure adequate time for these procedures.

  • May I walk in the ceremony if I am not graduating this semester?
    Only students who are eligible to graduate may walk in the ceremony.
  • How long does the ceremony last?
    Each ceremony will last approximately one-and-a-half hours.
  • Is there a rehearsal?
    No. Faculty marshals will guide you through the procession and direct you as you walk to the stage to accept your diploma cover during the ceremony.

Graduates

  • What is the difference between commencement and graduation?

    Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates the awarding of degrees at the end of every term.

    Graduation is the official confirmation that a students have met all requirements for their degrees. This official confirmation is evidenced by the posting of degrees to student transcripts and the issuance of their diplomas. 

    While commencement and graduation are related, they are separate points on the academic timeline. Every student must apply to graduate, but participation in the commencement ceremony is optional. 

  • How and when do I apply to graduate?

    Graduation applications are available online in myWings.

    • Log into your myWings portal
    • Choose Student on side menu
    • Select Student Resources, and then Banner Self-Service
    • Click on Student Records
    • Choose Graduation Application

    If you are applying after the deadline, you will need to see your academic advisor. 

    Failure to apply for graduation by the advertised deadline may affect your ability to graduate, result in receiving a reduced number of guest tickets for commencement, and can result in the delay of receiving your diploma. Refer to the Academic Calendar for graduation application deadlines.

  • How do I know if I am eligible to graduate?
    Check with your academic advisor to verify that you have completed your program of study and satisfied all graduation requirements.
  • How do I change my graduation date?

    Contact One-Stop Student Services as soon as possible if your plans for graduation change.

    If you want to postpone your graduation, you must submit an Application for Graduation (with signature), checking off the box at the top of the form where it says you wish to retract your application. You can obtain this form from your academic advisor and once complete, submit to One-Stop Student Services in one-of-four ways:

    Email the scanned document to commencement@unf.edu

    Fax the document to 904-620-2414

    Hand-Deliver the document to One-Stop Student Services

    Hicks Hall, Building 53

    Suite 1700

    Mail the document to One-Stop Student Services

    1 UNF Drive

    Jacksonville, FL 32224

    Once your Graduation Application is cancelled, you must submit another Graduation Application at the beginning of the term you will actually graduate.

  • When and how will I receive my diploma?

    All diplomas will be mailed to students' current mailing addresses on file beginning on the date specified on the Important Dates page.

    To ensure delivery, students should verify current mailing addresses through myWings. If you anticipate an address change, please notify One-Stop Student Services as soon as possible. For your convenience, address changes may be made in-person at One-Stop Student Services (Building 53, Suite 1700) or via a signed emailed request.

    Personal Information Update Form

    Please Note: Address changes CANNOT be accepted by telephone or email.

  • What is the difference between commencement and convocation?
    The Student Awards Convocation ceremony is held each spring semester to honor those students who have received awards from their college or department. Commencement is held each term (spring, summer and fall) to confer degrees upon those students who have satisfied the criteria to graduate.

Guests

  • Do we need tickets for the ceremony?
    All guests are required to have a ticket for the ceremony, due to the limited seating capacity of the UNF Arena. Graduates do not need a ticket for themselves. See the Tickets webpage for more information.
  • Where do we pick up our guest tickets?
    Guest tickets are distributed digitally to graduates via their unf.edu accounts on MarchingOrder. Graduates can print physical tickets for their guests or email them digital versions prior to the ceremony. Tickets can only be scanned once.
  • Do children need a ticket?
    Children four (4) years of age and under are not required to have a ticket, but they should be held in the lap of an attendee and not occupy a seat. If you bring an infant in a car seat/carrier, they will need a ticket because the carrier would take a seat. Be advised that strollers brought into the Arena cannot be taken up into the seating area.
  • When should my guests arrive for the ceremony?

    The doors to the Arena will open an hour-and-a-half before the ceremony begins. Seating is first-come, first-served. If you have a guest who requires special seating, it is recommended they arrive as early as possible to secure seating. All graduates, faculty, staff, vendors and guests will be screened by metal detectors and all bags will be checked upon each entry into the Field House and the Arena. Plan accordingly and arrive early to ensure adequate time for these procedures.

  • Is there a charge for parking?
    No. Parking on the day of commencement is free on campus in all legal parking spaces in Lot 18. You may not park in Designated or Reserved parking spaces without an appropriate decal. For more information and details specific to your commencement ceremony, visit the Commencement Frequently Asked Questions page.
  • What is the difference between commencement and graduation?

    Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates the awarding of degrees at the end of every term.

    Graduation is the official confirmation that a students have met all requirements for their degrees. This official confirmation is evidenced by the posting of degrees to student transcripts and the issuance of their diplomas. 

    While commencement and graduation are related, they are separate points on the academic timeline. Every student must apply to graduate, but participation in the commencement ceremony is optional. 

Planning

  • Accommodations

    If your party needs an accommodation due to a visual or hearing impairment, please contact the Student Accessibility Center, (904) 620-2769 or (904) 620-2969 (TDD/TTY).

    Guests with limited mobility should find an usher who will direct them to special seating locations. There will be limited wheelchair seating on the floor.

    The busses shuttling guests to and from the parking lots are ADA accessible.

  • Maps and Parking

    Campus Map 

    Commencement ceremonies take place at the UNF Arena, Building 34, on the north end of campus. Specific directions from your location to the UNF campus are available from the Campus Map webpage.

    Parking

    Please note that graduation parking will only be available in Lot 18. Parking is free in all legal parking spaces. Please be aware that you may not park in spaces marked Designated or Reserved without an appropriate decal.

    Graduation shuttles will run between Lot 18 and the Arena. There is no charge to use this service and all shuttles are ADA accessible.

  • Photography and Video Services

    The University has contracted with Flash Photography to provide photography services for all commencement exercises. Graduate candidates will receive a name card with their name printed on it when they arrive at The Field House (Building 26). Completing the information on the back of this card will ensure graduates receive an email with photo proofs after the ceremony.  Proofs will be mailed and emailed to each graduate within 10 days of the ceremony. If you have questions, please contact the FLASH Photography directly at (888) 325-3930 or via their website.

    The University has contracted with Sight & Sound to provide videography services for the commencement ceremonies. If you have questions about these services, please email commencement@unf.edu. 

    All ceremonies will be live streamed on the day of the event.  All ceremonies can be viewed on our UNF Graduation YouTube Channel at their scheduled times.  

    For additional information, please send an email to commencement@unf.edu.

Program Information

  • To ensure your name is printed in the program, check the box on your Graduation Application stating "Please include my name in the commencement program." Students who leave this box empty will NOT be listed in the program. The Graduation Application deadline for Fall 2024 is October 4, 2024. 

 

  • Students whose advisors submit a late graduation application after November 8 will NOT be listed in the Fall Commencement program.