Spring Commencement will take place on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. in the Delaware Stadium, rain or shine. The parking lots open at 6:00 a.m., the gates open at 7:00 a.m., and guests should plan to arrive no later than 8:00 a.m. Commencement tickets are not required. General seating for guests will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Commencement is a rain or shine event. In the case of inclement weather, the ceremony may be shortened. Please note: convocations remain as scheduled.
All degree candidates should arrive no later than 8:00 a.m. and should proceed immediately to the procession line–up area next to the Delaware Field House and north of Delaware Stadium. All degree candidates should immediately assemble in their assigned areas. The procession into Delaware Stadium will begin promptly at 8:20 a.m.
If you have family or friends unable to attend this year's commencement, they can view the ceremony live on the UDLive website.
Please see our Parking & Travel page for information on parking, travel to and from the ceremony, travel to and from all the convocations, and construction alerts.
Want to know where to sit to be close to your graduate? Please refer to our online seating chart to see where the graduates will be seated. It also shows the locations of bathrooms and food concessions.
Commencement Speaker
Dr. Paul Farmer, a medical anthropologist and physician who has dedicated his life to improving health care for the world's poorest people, will speak at the University of Delaware's Spring Commencement, scheduled at 9:00 a.m., Saturday, May 25, 2013, in Delaware Stadium on the Newark campus. See the full announcement on UDaily.
Decorum and Behavior
Commencement is a dignified occasion. In the best tradition of the University of Delaware, we expect those attending the Commencement ceremony to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. Alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited and University Police will strictly enforce this policy. Balloons are also prohibited. Cellular telephones and pagers should be turned off at the beginning of the Commencement ceremony and should remain turned off for the duration of the ceremony. The University community appreciates your cooperation in maintaining the dignity of this occasion.
What is Commencement? What is Convocation?
Commencement is our larger event where the students process onto the field at the Delaware Stadium, degrees are conferred by the President of the University, the graduating students are acknowledged by College, the commencement speaker delivers his/her address, and several notable recipients are awarded honorary degrees. This is the only time when the entire graduating class is brought together.
Convocation is the smaller ceremony where students are individually recognized by their college or department and each graduating student walks across the stage to receive his/her graduation certificate ~ the diplomas are mailed to the student approximately six weeks after all course work is completed.
When a student graduates with a double major, he or she may choose to attend both convocations if time permits, or just one. It is not necessary to attend a convocation for a minor. None of the events are mandatory, but most students attend as many as they can.
Convocations
College and Departmental Convocation ceremonies will be held at venues throughout campus. Please check back here after November 30 for times and locations. Most Convocation ceremonies will be held on Friday, May 24, or Saturday, May 25 following commencement.
Eligibility
Bachelors' and Associates' degree candidate eligibility is determined by the Dean's Office of each College. Doctoral and masters' degree candidate eligibility is determined by the Office of Graduate Studies. It is incumbent upon degree candidates to determine their eligibility and to satisfy all requirements. Questions related to degree completion, requirements, and eligibility should be directed to the appropriate academic office.
Graduation Checklist
Diploma Distribution
Doctoral degree candidates completing degree requirements during the Spring 2013 Semester will receive their diplomas at the Doctoral Hooding and Convocation Ceremony on May 24, 2013.
Masters', bachelors', and associates degree candidates completing degree requirements during the Spring 2013 Semester will receive their diplomas in the mail from the University Registrar approximately six weeks after the Spring Commencement ceremony.
Diplomas are only distributed upon satisfactory completion of degree clearance, which includes, but is not limited to: satisfied degree requirements (including completion of incomplete grades); acceptance of all transfer credits; and fulfillment of all financial obligations to the University.
Diplomas measure 12 x 16 inches. University of Delaware frames are available at the University Bookstore and will also be available at the Delaware Stadium for purchase on May 25.
Lodging
For information regarding lodging in the area, please refer to the UDel Lodging page.
Individuals with Disabilities
On–field seating and drop–off locations adjacent to Delaware Stadium will be available for persons with physical disabilities and difficulty walking. Arrangements for disabled seating areas do not need to be made in advance, however TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR EACH PERSON (the person that requires that accommodation and their guests) THAT WILL BE SEATED IN THIS SECTION. We have reached maximum capacity for this seating area and are now taking names to be on a waiting list. We will only notify those on the list as we receive cancellations. We will make every attempt to notify you in a timely manner. To be placed on the waiting list, please send an email to commencement@udel.edu with your name and contact information, the name and contact information of your student and the number of tickets you are requesting (maximum of 4). Please note that the ceremony will be streamed live at http://udcapture.udel.edu/udlive/.
Please note that limited on–field accessible seating areas are reserved only for the person in need of accessible seating accompanied by up to three guests. The University of Delaware does not provide wheelchair rentals or availability. If you have difficulty walking long distances, consider renting a wheelchair from an off–campus vendor.
A sign language interpreter will be available at the Commencement ceremony. To request seating near the sign language interpreter, please contact us at (302) 831–2113 no later than May 3.
To request a sign language interpreter for a Convocation ceremony, please contact us at (302) 831–2113 no later than May 3.
If you require special accommodations at a Convocation ceremony, please contact the coordinator for that convocation directly. All convocations are held in accessible rooms and buildings.
Accessible Parking
Parking for individuals with disabilities will be available in the lots adjacent to Delaware Stadium while space is available. In order to utilize handicapped parking spaces, a valid state issued handicapped permit or license plate must be clearly displayed. When you enter the parking lots, you will be directed to an available handicapped spot. In addition, there will be shuttle buses running between the parking lots and the stadium. Every bus is handicapped accessible, so if you have mobility difficulties, you can take a shuttle bus right to the stadium, and take a shuttle back to the parking lot after the ceremony.
There is very limited parking around The Green, but there are drop–off locations and golf cart shuttles that can take anyone with mobility needs from the drop–off points along the edge of The Green to the convocation locations.
Please see our Parking & Travel page for full parking and travel details.
Breakfast & Lunch
Anxious to get some breakfast upon arrival at the Delaware Stadium on May 25? Wondering where to get a quick lunch before your convocation ceremony? Concessions will be available underneath the stadium. A menu will be posted when it is available.
UDairy Creamery
The UDairy Creamery will be open during and after commencement with a selection of ice cream and drinks.
The UDairy Creamery is located right next to the Fred Rust Ice Arena.
Senior Class Gift
The Senior Class Gift is an opportunity for you to show your appreciation for the many opportunities you have had at the University of Delaware. Each graduating class member is asked to make a contribution, honoring a tradition and creating a legacy of support. This is a chance for you to leave your mark on UD and continue a University of Delaware tradition. You gift helps the University of Delaware continue to advance as we dare ourselves to be first and allows our class to leave its own unique mark by supporting excellent opportunities for students across the entire University. For more information and to make your gift, please visit www.udel.edu/giving/seniors.html.
Academic Regalia
| Associate Degree Keeper Package | $74.00 |
| Bachelor Degree Keeper Package | $82.00 |
| Master Degree Keeper Package | $89.00 |
| Doctorate (Rental Only) Pack (inc. Gown/Hood & Tam w/ tassel) |
$135.00 |
Degree candidates planning to attend the ceremony in May need to order their commencement materials by April 4, 2013 by placing the order on the web at www.HerffJones.com/college/ud. Cap, gown, hood, study abroad sashes and diploma frames ordered online will ship to the bookstore for customer pickup during "Grad Fair" week. Grad fair is April 8th–12th and is located at the Barnes and Noble UD Bookstore at 83 East Main St. Ph.D. candidates rent their cap, gown, and hood and must be return them no later then 7 days after the May ceremony. Rental gowns can NOT be shipped and must be picked up. Ph.D. rentals can be picked up as late as an hour before their hooding ceremony, at the ceremony location. Caps, gowns, and hoods are retained by the associates', bachelors', and masters' candidates following the ceremonies. Please note that bachelors' degree candidates also wear hoods. Associates', bachelors', and masters' gowns can be shipped by contacting the Barnes and Noble UD Bookstore UD Bookstore, however please do not contact us for shipping prior to April 15th. Shipping orders will be taken between April 15th–19th Monday – Friday only.
The Barnes and Noble UD Bookstore is the only approved vendor for University of Delaware Commencement items, including official and required University regalia (caps, gowns and hoods) from Herff Jones. Moreover, by using the Barnes and Noble UD Bookstore exclusively, the University can determine which graduates intend to participate in Commencement exercises. Finally, this exclusivity ensures that the regalia worn at graduation will be uniform. Thus, regalia to be worn at graduation must be purchased only at the Barnes and Noble UD Bookstore at 83 East Main St. If you have additional questions, please contact the bookstore at udel@bncollege.com.
If you miss the online ordering regardless of degree, don't worry. Simply show up during Grad Fair week April 8th–12th at the Barnes and Noble UD Bookstore and you can purchase and pick up your cap and gown in one trip!
Study Abroad Sashes
Degree candidates who have participated in a Study Abroad Program are invited to wear a special sash signifying the program(s) in which they have participated. You may purchase a study abroad sash (while supplies last) online at www.HerffJones.com/college/ud by April 4th for pickup April 8th–12th at the Barnes and Noble UD Bookstore. If you miss the deadline come to the Barnes and Noble UD Bookstore April 8th–12th.
Graduation Announcements
Herff Jones is the University of Delaware's official graduation retailer. You can order custom graduation announcements, invitations, rings, thank you cards and packages by visiting www.HerffJones.com/college/ud. Most paper products take about two weeks to produce and ship, but allow 4 – 6 weeks for rings and jewelry. Universal announcements will be available at the bookstore.
Customized graduation announcements ordered online will be printed and mailed directly to your home address. You may order your cap and gown by April 4th online in a "Grad Pack" and save up to 20% off your diploma frame and announcements.
Class ring ordering will be held at the Barnes and Noble UD Bookstore on Main Street April 8th–12th, as well.
Senior Portraits
University of Delaware Seniors may schedule sittings by logging onto www.ouryear.com and entering the UD code: 94. To arrange a sitting via telephone call 1-800-OUR-YEAR, (1-800-687-9327) during normal business hours. Walk-ins are accepted but appointments are strongly advised.
Flowers for Commencement
Parents and friends of UD graduates can pre-order flowers from Commencement Flowers and pick them up on the morning of Commencement at Delaware Stadium. Flowers will also be available for purchase on site.
Moving Out
All seniors must vacate their residence halls by 6:00 p.m. on May 25, 2013.
Shuttle Buses to Delaware Stadium
UD Shuttle Buses will be available to transport degree candidates and guests TO Delaware Stadium ONLY for the Commencement ceremony. Student buses begin 7:15 a.m. and run until the beginning of commencement. Please note that shuttle buses will NOT be available to transport degree candidates and guests after the ceremony. Advance reservations are necessary to ensure that there are enough shuttle buses to accommodate the ridership and to confirm the pick–up locations. To make a reservation, e–mail bus@udel.edu or call (302) 831–1187 by Tuesday, May 21. Be sure to provide your name, desired pick–up locations, and the expected number of passengers in your group. The final shuttle bus schedule will be developed based on the expected number of riders and their pick–up locations. For the final schedule, visit www.udel.edu/bus beginning on Thursday, May 23.
The shuttle buses will drop you off close to the student line up area. Please follow the signs to the assembly area immediately upon exiting the bus. The buses need to make multiple trips so check your belongings before exiting and do not block the road after exiting. There will be a marshal to direct you to the assembly area and answer any questions you may have.
Spring Commencement 2013 ~ Convocations and Ceremonies
May 23 – 25
All phone numbers are 302–831–xxxx, unless otherwise noted.
| College/Department | Location | Day | Time | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture and Natural Resources | Bob Carpenter Center | Friday | 3:00 p.m. | x2508 |
| Air Force ROTC Commissioning Ceremony | Roselle Center for the Arts – Thompson Theatre | Friday | 4:00 p.m. | x2863 |
| Anthropology | Reception: Munroe Hall – Lobby & 103 | Saturday | 11:30 a.m. | x1851 |
| Program: Trabant University Center – Trabant Theatre | 12:00 p.m. | |||
| Area Studies Programs | Bayard Sharp Hall | Saturday | 3:00 p.m. | x3202 |
| Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony | Clayton Hall – Auditorium (Room 128) Reception in Room 120 |
Friday | 5:00 p.m. | x2011 |
| Art, Art Conservation, and Art History | Clayton Hall – Room 101 A & B | Saturday | 12:00 p.m. | x8416 |
| Associate in Arts Program - Wilmington | Arsht Hall | Thursday | 7:00 p.m. | 302-571-5395 |
| Behavioral Health and
Nutrition (tickets required) |
Pearson Hall – Auditorium | Friday | 12:30 p.m. | x2252 |
| Biological Sciences | Gold Tent* | Friday | 12:00 p.m. | x2282 |
| Black American Studies | Roselle Center for the Arts – Puglisi | Saturday | 12:00 p.m. | x2897 |
| Business & Economics - Lerner ACCT, MIS, FINC & ECON Dean's Letter – Seating Chart |
Bob Carpenter Center | Saturday | 3:00 p.m. | x4369 |
| Business & Economics - Lerner BUAD (Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Mgmt, Int'l. Business Studies, Management, Marketing, Operations, and Sport Mgmt) Dean's Letter – Seating Chart |
Bob Carpenter Center | Saturday | 11:45 a.m. | x4369 |
| Business & Economics - Lerner Graduate Student Convocation (tickets required) |
Mitchell Hall Reception following in Roselle Center for the Arts – Puglisi (Park in Roselle Center for the Arts Garage) |
Friday | 4:30 p.m. | x2221 |
| Center for Energy and Environmental Policy | Trabant University Center - Multipurpose Rooms A & B | Friday | 7:15 p.m. | x8405 |
| Chemistry and Biochemistry | Pearson Hall – Auditorium Reception follows in Brown Lab |
Saturday | 12:30 p.m. | x1130 |
| Communication | Trabant University Center - Multipurpose Room A & B | Friday | 1:30 p.m. | x8041 |
| Doctoral Hooding Ceremony | Blue Tent* | Friday | 6:00 p.m. | x6824 |
| Earth, Ocean and Environment | Gold Tent* | Saturday | 12:00 p.m. | x2841 |
| Education and Human Development | Bob Carpenter Center | Friday | 11:30 a.m. | x2396 |
| Engineering | Blue Tent* | Saturday | 2:00 p.m. | x7543 |
| English | Blue Tent* | Friday | 1:30 p.m. | x2361 |
| Fashion and Apparel Studies | Mitchell Hall | Friday | 2:00 p.m. | x8714 |
| Foreign Languages and Literatures | Mitchell Hall | Friday | 11:30 a.m. | x6882 |
| History | Clayton Hall – Room 101 A & B | Friday | 2:00 p.m. | x2371 |
| Kente Stole Ceremony | Reception: Clayton Hall – Lobby | Friday | 6:00 p.m. | x2991 |
| Program: Clayton Hall - Room 101 A&B | 7:00 p.m. | |||
| Kinesiology and Applied Physiology | Clayton Hall - Room 101 A & B | Friday | 11:00 a.m. | x4351 |
| Linguistics and Cognitive Sciences | Roselle Center for the Arts – Thompson Theater | Friday | 12:00 p.m. | x6806 |
| Mathematical Sciences | Smith Hall – Room 120 | Saturday | 12:00 p.m. | x4454 |
| Medical Laboratory Sciences | Trabant University Center Program in Theatre Reception in Daugherty Hall |
Friday | 2:00 p.m. | x8109 |
| Medical Scholars Program | Bayard Sharp Hall | Saturday | 12:30 p.m. | x4949 |
| Music | Roselle Center for the Arts – Thompson Theatre | Saturday | 12:15 p.m. | x3397 |
| Nursing Pinning Ceremony | Delaware Field House | Friday | 4:00 p.m. | x1117 |
| Philosophy | Sharp Lab – Room 131 | Saturday | 12:00 p.m. | x2359 |
| Physics and Astronomy | Sharp Lab – Room 130 | Saturday | 12:00 p.m. | x2661 |
| Political Science and International Relations | Blue Tent* | Friday | 11:00 a.m. | x2357 |
| Psychology | Delaware Field House | Friday | 1:30 p.m. | x2271 |
| Public Policy and Administration Graduate, Organizational and Community Leadership and Public Policy Programs | Reception: Gore Hall – Rotunda | Saturday | 12:00 p.m. | x8289 |
| Program: Mitchell Hall | 1:00 p.m. | |||
| Sociology and Criminal Justice | Delaware Field House | Saturday | 11:45 a.m. | x2581 x1236 |
| Southern Delaware Convocation | Heritage Shores – map (Bridgeville Delaware) |
Thursday | 7:00 p.m. | 302-571-5395 |
| Women and Gender Studies | Perkins Student Center – Gallery and Alumni Lounge | Friday | 4:00 p.m. | x8643 |
* The Blue Tent is located on the North Green between Gore Hall and DuPont Hall.
The Gold Tent is located on the South Green between Robinson Hall and Kent Hall.
Contact Us
The Office of the Vice President and University Secretary is responsible for the University's Commencement and Convocation ceremonies. If you have questions about the ceremony, please contact us directly at 302-831-2113 or email at commencement@udel.edu.
IMPORTANT: If you have questions about eligibility, please read the following information:
Bachelors' and Associates' degree candidate eligibility is determined by the Dean's Office of each College. Doctoral and masters' degree candidate eligibility is determined by the Office of Graduate Studies. It is incumbent upon degree candidates to determine their eligibility and to satisfy all requirements. Questions related to degree completion, requirements, and eligibility should be directed to the appropriate academic office.
This website will be updated as additional Spring Commencement information is confirmed. Check back frequently for updates.
