Commencement Rules and Tips

Commencement Rules & Tips

Graduation cap decorations must lay flat against the cap and extend no higher than the cap button.
Stagnant LED lights are permitted.
Moving or flashing lights are not permitted.
Language on decorated caps must be appropriate for a family-friendly event.
The tassel on a graduate’s cap must be their college tassel and not the black and gold souvenir tassel.
Doctoral tams must be returned in original condition, or a fee will be charged.

Please anticipate a longer than expected travel time to the Addition Financial Arena due to traffic.
Graduates should be at the Addition Financial Arena 90 minutes prior to their commencement ceremony.
Graduates who arrive after the procession begins will not be guaranteed a seat.
All graduates should park in Garage D. View a map of the location of Garage D .
Graduates must stay for the entire duration of the commencement ceremony.

Please check to make sure all guest tickets have the correct commencement ceremony date and time listed on them.
There is no ticket lottery for additional tickets.
Graduation announcements cannot be used for admission.

The use of iPads and GoPros is prohibited. Cell phones can be used for taking pictures but should be on silent.
Selfie sticks are not permitted.
Graduates and their guests are prohibited from entering the ceremony with the following items: balloons, bottles, cans, containers, glass vases, alcoholic beverages, noisemakers, air horns, laser pens, silly string, confetti, flags, banners, signs or posters larger than 8½x 11.
Backpacks of any kind or bags larger than 12” x 6” x 12” are not permitted inside the arena for security reason. Graduates are discouraged from bringing any bag into the Arena as storage is not available and items cannot be taken into the ceremony. Those who bring backpacks or large bags will be asked to return them to their car before entering the building.

Graduates participating in the commencement ceremonies are required to wear official UCF regalia available exclusively through the UCF Bookstore.
Honor cords, honor society cords, and academic stoles may be worn if they are the authorized designation of an officially recognized group.
Graduates should wear comfortable shoes and be wearing them upon entry into the arena. Do not plan to change shoes or any clothing once you have entered the arena.
Temperature in the arena can be cold during the ceremony.
The university reserves the right to request that graduates change inappropriate attire before they will be allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony.