Main Ceremony
Graduate Event Day Information
Congrats Terp Grads
Graduates, please review this page so you and your guests can be ready for a celebratory evening at the main ceremony, where we will honor your accomplishments at the University of Maryland!
Arrive Prepared to Celebrate
Graduate Arrival Time & Location
Arriving on time is critical to your participation in commencement. Please review your arrival time and instructions.
There is a clear bag policy at SECU Stadium. Be prepared for the main ceremony by reviewing the bag policy before arrival.
Share the SECU Stadium map with your guests so they can plan their day to celebrate your achievements!
Parking permits are not required, and meters will be turned off, on campus from May 20 to May 23. Shuttles will be provided for all ceremony sites by Shuttle-UM.
Tickets are now available to claim for the main ceremony
Graduates can now claim tickets to the main ceremony by logging into their Athletics ticketing account. For questions, please contact the Athletics ticketing office at 301-314-7070.
Before You Arrive
Preparation is an important part of making sure you're ready to celebrate. Follow these tips before coming to campus to ensure you have the best experience on Commencement Day!
Claiming - Claim your tickets—one (1) graduate and six (6) guest tickets—starting April 15 using your Athletics Student Ticketing Account.
Downloading - Be sure you and your guests have tickets downloaded in advance. Your guests will enter separately from you—they need to have their tickets transferred and downloaded.
Review the arrival section below. Be sure you understand when and where to arrive. On-time arrival is critical for your participation in the ceremony.
Please arrive early and expect traffic delays. Use the free campus shuttle as needed.
Graduates should arrive in full regalia, which includes a black gown, hood, red stole, cap, and black tassel. Volunteers will also be on hand to assist in regalia maintenance.
Wear Comfortable Shoes and Clothes
Wear comfortable clothes under your regalia. The processional requires walking down stairs and standing for an extended period of time. Don’t worry if you need to take a quick seat or ask for help. First aid will be available to those who need it.
All graduates and guests will pass through a security checkpoint. Graduates should bring only necessary items that they can carry with them throughout the ceremony. Please review the bag policy for more information.
Hydrate
Graduates are encouraged to bring a personal water bottle. Bottle-filling stations will be available at lineup and during the ceremony. We recommend you start hydrating at least 48 hours before the event.
Use the Restroom
While restrooms will be available at lineup and during the ceremony, the lines can get long. Visit the Adele H. Stamp Student Union and other restroom locations on campus prior to passing through security.
Wear Sunscreen
Even if it's overcast, you will be outside, and it can get warm in those black robes.
Eat Well
Eat nutritious food at home and/or bring a small snack while waiting. There will be water on-site for graduates.
Graduates and guests will be screened with metal detection upon arrival. Review the list of permitted and prohibited items further down on this page.
Review the Website
Last but not least, review the commencement website—especially this page—in full, to make sure you are prepared!
Graduate Arrival Time and Location
Graduates should arrive at Cole Field House historic entrance (at the intersection of Campus Drive and Union Lane) no later than the time listed below, based on the school or college they are graduating from. Graduates must have their graduate ticket ready on their mobile device.
The processional lineup will feature a live DJ. Don’t miss out—arrive early!
| 4:30 p.m. Arrival Time | 5:00 p.m. Arrival Time |
|---|---|
| ENGR | SPHL |
| PLCY | CMNS |
| ARCH | ARHU |
| AGNR | BSOS** |
| EDUC | |
| BMGT | |
| UGST | |
| INFO | |
| JOUR |
Graduates should arrive at the time listed, based on the school or college they are graduating from.
**Note: Ceremonies across campus will end at varying times, we are aware this may impact your travel time to the main ceremony. Please arrive as close to your school's scheduled arrival time as possible.
Graduates and guests and graduates participating in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS) ceremonies at the XFINITY Center before the main ceremony at SECU Stadium should consult the map below on this page, which outlines the most efficient travel routes between the venues.
Bag Policy
Be prepared for the main ceremony by reviewing the bag policy before arrival.
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.
Security & What to Bring
Graduates will be screened with metal detection upon arrival. Please be aware that there are no secure storage locations for any personal items during the ceremony. Graduates should carry all personal items, or leave them off-site.
As a general rule, graduates should bring only necessary items they can carry with them throughout the ceremony.
What to Bring
Your Digital Ticket
Regalia
Comfortable Shoes
Water Bottle - Water will be provided during the processional lineup.
Sunscreen
Prohibited Items
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
Weapons (both real and facsimiles)
Any other items or actions deemed dangerous or disruptive to the fan experience
*Exceptions will be made for those with medical requirements and/or special needs.
Stadium Map
Share the SECU Stadium map with your guests so they can plan their day to celebrate your achievements! The map has helpful information, including the location each school or college will be seated on the field, accessible seating locations, elevators, first aid stations, and more.
Parking & Transportation Routes
The University is growing, which means there are several construction projects on and off-campus. Please arrive early and plan for traffic delays and plan to arrive early and use free campus shuttles as needed.
Parking permits are not required, and meters will be turned off, on campus from May 20-23. Shuttles will be provided for all ceremony sites by Shuttle-UM, a transportation map with route details is available below. Be sure to obey all posted signage throughout campus, as details may change.
Routes from the XFINITY Center to SECU Stadium
The following navigation recommendations are made for all guests and graduates attending both BSOS 2 and Main Commencement ceremonies. These practical travel suggestions target the transition between ceremonies, to allow everyone to participate in all Commencement activities fully.
Graduate route from the XFINITY Center to Main Ceremony Processional Line-up
Consider walking (for those who are able) to SECU Stadium using the recommended walking path accessible by exiting through XFINITY Gate C. Proceed to the Campus Drive entrance of Historic Cole Field House to join the Procession Line-up in the adjoining Jones-Hill House. This route takes 15-20 minutes by foot.
Guest route from the XFINITY Center to SECU Stadium
If you park in an XFINITY Center parking lot, consider walking (for those who are able) to SECU Stadium using the recommended walking path accessible by exiting through XFINITY Gate E. Gates A, B & C at SECU Stadium are the shortest distance from the XFINITY Center. This route takes 10-15 minutes by foot.
For those in need of mobility assistance, ADA-accessible shuttles will be staged in Lot 9B outside of the XFINITY Center, accessible by exiting through XFINITY Gate C. Stadium Drive Garage is also a designated ADA parking lot for all Main Ceremony attendees.
Guests relocating their vehicles from the XFINITY Center should anticipate and expect delays.