--- title: Frequently Asked Questions date: 2024-09-04T16:11:00-04:00 author: Bradley Bower canonical_url: "https://commencement.umd.edu/faq" section: Pages --- # Frequently Asked Questions *FAQ* **Frequently Asked Questions** ## General Information ### When is commencement? **Main Ceremony:** The main ceremony is scheduled for **Monday, May 24, 2026 at 9 a.m.,** with a weather contingency time of 7 p.m. *If severe weather prevents the ceremony from taking place at 9 a.m. the ceremony will move to 7 p.m. the same day.* --- **School & College Ceremonies:** Ceremony dates and times are available on the [**School & College ceremony page**](https://commencement.umd.edu/school-college-ceremonies). ### What is the plan for ceremony delays such as inclement weather? **Main Ceremony**: SECU Stadium is a completely outdoor venue. The main ceremony is a rain-or-shine event. If severe weather occurs, the main ceremony will move from 9 a.m. to the 7 p.m. contingency time. --- **School & College Ceremonies**: All school and college ceremonies are indoors. ### Which graduates are eligible to attend commencement ceremonies? All graduates who completed their degrees in Summer 2026, Fall 2026, or are on track to complete their degree in Spring 2027 are eligible to attend commencement ceremonies. Graduates must complete all graduation requirements and apply to graduate through the [**Office of the Registrar**](https://registrar.umd.edu/graduation-diplomas). ### Will I receive my diploma at commencement? No, diplomas will be mailed to the address listed when applying for graduation via [**TESTUDO**](https://www.testudo.umd.edu/). If you have questions about your diploma, contact Diploma Services at 301.314.8270 / [**diploma@umd.edu**](mailto:diploma@umd.edu). You will receive a commemorative gift as you cross the stage at your individual [**school or college ceremony**](https://commencement.umd.edu/school-college-ceremonies). ### How do I obtain a visa letter for international guests? The university does not issue invitation letters for guests to visit the U.S. to attend commencement ceremonies. These letters are not required by the embassy to issue a B2 visa, which is designated for tourist activities such as sightseeing, visiting friends and relatives, and obtaining medical treatment. The graduating student should submit a copy of their I-20 or DS-2019 to the relative applying for the tourist visa. Students can also send an Enrollment Verification Certificate along with a copy of their passport. An Enrollment Verification Certificate can be requested from the [Office of the Registrar.](https://registrar.umd.edu/) ### How can I receive updates about commencement information? - All eligible graduates are automatically registered to receive commencement update emails. No further action is needed. - Guests who wish to receive commencement update emails and/or text messages may sign up using [**this form**](https://forms.gle/Tufuo1M4miAdFPBu5). - Check commencement.umd.edu regularly for up-to-date commencement information. ### What is the difference between the main ceremony and the school & college ceremonies? **Main Ceremony:** The main ceremony features the commencement speaker, president, and other notable speakers and honorees. Students will be recognized alongside their school or college. All graduates and six of their guests are invited. Please visit the ticketing section below for additional details. --- **School & College Ceremonies:** At [**individual school or college** **ceremonies**](https://commencement.umd.edu/school-college-ceremonies), students walk across the stage and have their names read. The event is managed by the graduates’ school, college, or academic department. ### Are tickets required, and how many tickets will I receive? **Main Ceremony**: Each graduate may claim six guest tickets and one personal ticket to the main ceremony. Tickets will be available to claim in April 2027**,** via the [Athletics student ticket site](https://umterps.evenue.net/signin?uf=ST&ui=SHO&continue=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fncommerce3%2FSEGetGroupList%3FlinkID%3Dumd%26groupCode%3D%26RSRC%3D%26RDAT%3D%26shopperContext%3DST&_ga=2.230943001.786946091.1712598354-852156385.1710269310). Graduates should visit the "[Sign In as Student](https://umterps.evenue.net/signin?uf=ST&ui=SHO&continue=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fncommerce3%2FSEGetGroupList%3FlinkID%3Dumd%26groupCode%3D%26RSRC%3D%26RDAT%3D%26shopperContext%3DST&_ga=2.230943001.786946091.1712598354-852156385.1710269310)" link to claim their tickets. Learn more about the mobile ticketing system and how to transfer your tickets to guests [here](https://umterps.com/feature/digital-ticketing). --- **Individual School & College Ceremonies:** All ticketed ceremonies will be indicated as such on the [School & Colleges Ceremonies](https://commencement.umd.edu/school-college-ceremonies) page by April 2027; if you have additional questions after reviewing, please contact your school, college, or department using the contact information on that page. ### When will more information be available? Check [commencement.umd.edu](http://commencement.umd.edu) regularly for commencement updates. All of the relevant ceremony information will be available in early 2027. ## Main Ceremony Time Information ### What time do SECU Stadium gates open to guests on the day of the main ceremony? Gates to SECU Stadium will open at 7:30 a.m. for the **main ceremony**. All guests must have a guest ticket and will pass through security. *If the main ceremony is moved to the weather contingency time, gates will open at 5:30 p.m.* ### What time should graduates arrive? Gates for graduate check-in at the **main ceremony** will open at 7:45 a.m. at the Cole Field House Historic Entrance of Jones-Hill House. A graduate event day webpage with more details will be available in March and will include specific arrival times. All graduates must have a digital graduate ticket and will pass through security. --- *If the main ceremony moves to the weather contingency time of 7 p.m., gates for graduate arrival will open at 5:45 p.m.* ### What time will graduates arrive at their seats in SECU Stadium? Graduates participating in the **main ceremony** will walk to their seats on the field level of SECU Stadium between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Graduates should be seated by 8:45 a.m. A ceremony event day page with more detail will be available in March. ### Why is the main ceremony in the morning? After reviewing weather patterns and using our **main ceremony** contingency plan over the past two years, we have decided to move the ceremony to the morning to increase the likelihood that commencement will take place as planned. ### What do you mean by a contingency time? What if there’s bad weather all day? If severe weather conditions prevent the **main ceremony** from taking place at the scheduled time, the University will move the ceremony to a later time that same day. If neither option is possible, the ceremony will be canceled. --- The **main ceremony** is scheduled for **9 a.m. on Monday, May 24, 2026**. *If necessary, the ceremony will move to a 7 p.m. contingency time.* ### Why can’t the main ceremony be indoors? We value the opportunity to bring all of our graduates, their families and friends together to mark this milestone in a single **main ceremony**. SECU Stadium is the only campus venue that allows us this capacity for both graduates and guests. ### Will we be alerted if the main ceremony moves to the contingency time? Yes, all graduates will receive email communications if the **main ceremony** is moved to the contingency time. Additionally, [**commencement.umd.edu**](http://commencement.umd.edu) and university social media channels will announce any time changes. If you’re not a graduate and want to add yourself to email and text alerts, sign up using[ **this form**](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc98jNekG5s9EZmM85a72C5f-RcpFe4iHFOTwiFuVA48c2N1w/viewform?usp=dialog). ## What to Bring and What's Available ### Can I bring water to commencement? **Main Ceremony:** Graduates and Guests are encouraged to bring an empty personal water bottle and/or a sealed bottle of water, such as Aquafina, to the main commencement ceremony. SECU Stadium is outdoors; hydrate in advance and prepare for the weather conditions. Additional food and beverages are not permitted. SECU Stadium concessions will be available. --- **School & College Ceremonies:** Yes, you can bring water to the school and college ceremonies. ### Will concessions be available? **Main Ceremony**: Yes, concessions will be available at the main ceremony at SECU Stadium, with water and food options. Only cashless payment options are available. --- **School or College Ceremonies**: Please check the [**School & College Ceremonies**](https://commencement.umd.edu/school-college-ceremonies) page for more information about school and college ceremonies. ### What is the bag policy? The **main ceremony** bag policy at SECU Stadium is as follows: - **Graduates** - Graduates should bring only necessary items they can carry throughout the ceremony. Clutch-sized bags no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" are permitted and do not have to be clear. **Backpacks and bags larger than 4.5"x6.5" are prohibited**. - **Guests** - Clear bags no larger than 12"x12"x6" are permitted. They will be searched, which can delay entry, so we recommend avoiding bags if possible. **Backpacks are prohibited.** *Information on the main ceremony bag policy* - [Larger image of bag policy](https://umd-election.files.svdcdn.com/production/files/commencement/Bag-Policy-Graphic.pdf?dm=1732202147) --- **School & college ceremonies** do not follow the same bag policy; however, graduates and guests should be prepared for security screenings. ### What items are prohibited? The following items are prohibited at all ceremonies. - Artificial Noisemakers - Balloons - Dangerous or Disruptive Behavior - Fireworks / Firearms - Flammables of any kind - Illegal Substances - Laser Pointers - Outside Food or Drink of any kind\* - Pass-Outs / Re-Entry - Pets\* - Resale of Ticket - Sign Poles or Sign Sticks - Signage, Apparel or other Items that display, depict or represent recognizable symbols and/or words, including nooses and swastikas, that incite, intimidate, or threaten members of the University of Maryland community. - Skateboards / Bicycles - Smoking - Soliciting / Loitering / Trespassing - Strollers - Umbrellas - Video Cameras (Large only; small hand-held permitted) - Weapons (both real and facsimiles) - Any other items or actions deemed dangerous or disruptive to any guest experience \*Exceptions will be made for those with medical requirements and/or special needs. ### Will gifts be sold at commencement ceremonies? We are pleased to partner with The Commencement Group during the days of commencement activities to provide grads and their guests with pop-up gift stands, located outside all of our ceremony venues. Grab a shirt for the Class of 2027, containing the names of all the names\* of this year's Terps Grads - alongside flowers, kukui nut leis, and graduation plush toys. For assistance with any products purchased on ceremony day, email or call (888)-287-3973. *\*Some eligible graduates' names may not appear on the class shirt, due to the university's privacy policy, which excludes the names and likenesses of those who opt into the policy from being mentioned in various forms of media, and also applies to information shared with third-party vendors such as The Commencement Group. This policy may influence the inclusion of their names on any initial editions of the shirt. Contact The Commencement Group for additional assistance.* ## Photo, Video, and Streaming ### Will the main ceremony and school & college ceremonies be livestreamed? **Yes**, all ceremonies are livestreamed. --- **Main Ceremony:** Check the [**home page**](https://commencement.umd.edu/) on event day (Monday, May 24, 2027) for the main ceremony livestream link. --- **School & College Ceremonies:** Ceremony livestream links will be available on the [**School and College information page**](https://commencement.umd.edu/school-college-ceremonies) the week of commencement. ### Will photographs be taken at each ceremony? **Yes.** --- University of Maryland staff photograph and film many commencement activities. By taking part in commencement activities you grant the University of Maryland full rights to use the images and video resulting from the photography/video filming, and any reproductions or adaptations of the images for fundraising, publicity or other purposes. This might include (but is not limited to), the right to use them in print collateral and online publicity, social media, press releases and funding applications. --- [**GradImages**](https://www.gradimages.com/), a photography partner, will take photographs of each graduate as they cross the stage at their [**school or college ceremony**](https://commencement.umd.edu/school-college-ceremonies). They will also take photos of every graduate at the [**main ceremony**](https://commencement.umd.edu/main-ceremony), prior to the procession. While there is no obligation to purchase prints, the graduate will receive color proofs emailed approximately two weeks after commencement. In order to receive the proofs, be sure to complete the address card distributed in the line-up area prior to the procession. Finding your graduate’s photos after the ceremony is easy. Visit [www.gradimages.com](http://www.gradimages.com/) to view and purchase custom photo products like prints, plaques, specialty gifts, and more. You can also pre-register your contact information using [this direct link](https://www.gradimages.com/registration/Search?SchoolName=University+of+Maryland). Upon completion, you will receive a coupon code for 20% off an order of $50 or more. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your photos, please contact their Customer Service Department at [(800) 261-2576](tel:8002612576), online at [www.gradimages.com](http://www.gradimages.com/), or email . GradImages has a large team of customer care representatives ready to help graduates and family members with anything they may need. ### Are guests permitted to take photos and videos? **Yes**, guests are permitted to take photos and videos at all ceremonies --- At the **main ceremony,** all cameras must fit in bags that comply with the bag policy. *Information on the main ceremony bag policy* - [View larger version of the bag policy](https://umd-election.files.svdcdn.com/production/files/commencement/Bag-Policy-Graphic.pdf?dm=1732202147) ### How can I have my photo included in the main commencement ceremony? Graduates are offered the chance for photos to be featured during the **main commencement ceremony** by submitting photos through our [**photo submission form**](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdF2J09iuHNWUYu2ayVVMaJ0aYiWRLxKH4Mb7RhfekMYzLCbg/viewform) by Monday, May 3, 2027. *You must log in to a Google account to upload photos.* ## Accessibility ### Where can I get additional information on accessibility arrangements for commencement? Visit the [**Accessibility page**](https://commencement.umd.edu/accessibility) for information. ### Will an ASL interpreter or closed captioning be provided? **Main ceremony:** Yes. ASL interpreters will be available at section 27. Closed captioning will be provided on SECU stadium screens. --- **Individual school, college, or department ceremonies**: ASL interpreters and closed captioning can be made available at any venue. Please contact the [**coordinator for your ceremony**](https://commencement.umd.edu/school-college-ceremonies). --- Closed captioning is available on your personal device at **all ceremonies**. Please request any accommodations for the main ceremony in advance at . ## More Information ### I still have questions, who can I contact? For questions about the main ceremony, contact the Office of Special Events at [**commencement@umd.edu**](mailto:commencement@umd.edu). For questions about your school or college ceremony, contact the appropriate [**ceremony coordinator**](https://commencement.umd.edu/school-college-ceremonies). **Stay Updated** — Sign up to receive updates via email and text message.