Below is new information for CMNS graduates and their guests who also plan to attend the Main Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 22.
For graduates and guests who do not go to the Main Commencement Ceremony, the CMNS reception under the tent outside of Xfinity Center will continue as planned following the CMNS Commencement Ceremony.
We look forward to celebrating with all of our graduates and their families this Thursday!
General Information:
- The CMNS Ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m. and is expected to last until 5:30 p.m.
- All graduates are required to remain on the floor for the entire CMNS Ceremony; leaving early will not be permitted.
- Graduates who are planning to attend the Main Commencement Ceremony will be allowed to process out first.
- Graduates will need to leave immediately following the conclusion of the CMNS Ceremony and walk to the Main Commencement Ceremony (details and maps linked below) in order to arrive as close to 6 p.m. as possible.
- CMNS graduates will be the last to process into the Main Commencement Ceremony, so there will be sufficient time to get to the Campus Drive entrance to Historic Cole Field House/Jones Hill House and join the procession even though it will have already begun.
- Families should not plan to reunite with their graduates at Xfinity Center if they are planning to go to the Main Commencement Ceremony—there will not be sufficient time. Graduates and families should reunite after the Main Commencement Ceremony.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes - a lot of walking is involved on commencement day, and it may still be raining!
- Review all Event Day Information for the Main Commencement Ceremony.
- The SECU Stadium security plan limits what may be brought into the stadium by graduates and guests.
- Clear Bag Policy limits the size and type of bags that may be brought into the stadium and onto the field. Bags will be searched and items not compliant with the bag policy will not be allowed into the stadium. Note, there is NOT a clear bag policy for the Xfinity Center.
- No umbrellas may be brought into SECU Stadium, regardless of the weather.
- The SECU Stadium security plan limits what may be brought into the stadium by graduates and guests.
Getting from the CMNS Ceremony to the Main Commencement Ceremony:
- The recommended plan for all students and guests to get from the Xfinity Center to SECU Stadium is walking.
- Graduates: Exit the floor of the Xfinity Center at Gate C and proceed on foot immediately to Historic Cole Field House (Campus Drive Entrance) so you arrive as close to 6 p.m. as possible. Please do not plan to reunite with your families at the Xfinity Center. Students should follow the GRADUATE ROUTE (download graduates route map). This route takes 15-20 minutes by foot.
- Families and Guests: Exit the Xfinity Center on the Upper Concourse near Section 224 (Gate E) by the Terrapin Trail Garage. Plan to walk from the Xfinity Center to SECU Stadium; there will not be sufficient parking available close to SECU by the time the CMNS Ceremony ends. Families should walk along the GUEST ROUTE from the Xfinity Center to SECU Stadium (download guest route map). Please note that the GUEST ROUTE involves small hills and stairs. This route takes 10-15 minutes by foot.
- Those with handicap placards/ADA license plates can drive from the Xfinity Center to the Stadium Drive Garage (SDG) nearer to SECU Stadium.
- There will be limited bus shuttles from the Xfinity Center to SECU Stadium from Lot 9B (download Xfinity map). We recommend that all students and family members walk if they are able in order to prioritize shuttle space for those who have more limited mobility. Families can reunite at the shuttle drop-off point outside of SECU Stadium near GATES F and G.
Campuswide Events
Main Commencement Ceremony
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Student processional begins 6 p.m.
Maryland Stadium
Regalia is required (see information below).
For more information, visit https://commencement.umd.edu/.
CMNS Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony
Thursday, May 22, 2025
2:30 p.m.
Xfinity Center
Students must RSVP: https://go.umd.edu/CMNS2025RSVP
Graduates will walk across the stage during this ceremony. Regalia is required (see information below).
The ceremony will be live-streamed at youtube.com/user/cmnsumd.
Guests that use wheelchairs should park in Terrapin Trail Garage, enter through Gate E and sit at the top of Section 120. Guests with stair mobility issues can sit at the top of any section.
Keynote Speaker: Adam Wenchel (B.S. ’99, Computer Science), Co-founder and CEO, Arthur
Student Speaker: Jade LeSchack (B.S. ’25, Mathematics; B.S. ’25, Physics)
Schedule
- 1:15 p.m. - Graduates arrive at Xfinity Center, enter through the Pavilion Gym doors at Lot 4B roundabout (designated by the graduation cap on this map) and report to your assigned major table
- 1:30 p.m. - Guests begin to arrive at Xfinity Center and enter through Gate A, B or E
- Gate A: Southeast corner atop the grand staircase (main public entrance)
- Gate B: Northeast corner atop the staircase
- Gate E: Southwest corner adjacent to the Terrapin Trail Parking Garage
- 2:15 p.m. - All graduates must be seated. Please note: Students not in their seats by 2:15 p.m. will not be permitted to enter the Xfinity floor until after the ceremony begins.
- 2:25 p.m. - Procession begins
- 2:30 p.m. - Ceremony begins
- ~5:30 p.m. - Reception immediately follows the ceremony (Map)
The ceremony will last approximately 3 hours and graduates must remain seated on the floor for the entirety of the ceremony.
Parking is free on commencement days and you can park in most campus lots. Shuttle service around campus will also be available. [Parking and shuttle guide]
All guests should enter through Gates A, B and E.
Accessibility
- Accessible parking spaces will be available in most lots on a first-come, first-served basis and still require a state-issued license plate or hang tag.
- Guests with limited mobility should plan to arrive early to park in the Terrapin Trail Garage and enter Xfinity Center through Gate E to ensure a short distance between parking and entering the facility.
- ADA seating for wheelchair users will be available in Section 120. We are unable to provide wheelchairs.
- If you need special arrangements for hearing impairment or other disabilities, please contact the CMNS undergraduate commencement team (CMNSUGCommencement@umd.edu).
- Captioning on personal devices will be available in English and Spanish. The links will be included here closer to the date of the event. If you'd like captioning in another language, please contact the CMNS undergraduate commencement team (CMNSUGCommencement@umd.edu).
Items Allowed and Not Allowed
Review the Xfinity Center guidelines for items allowed and security procedures for the facility during commencement ceremonies.
Seating Chart
Freedom of thought and expression are the lifeblood of our academic community. Our values regarding free speech and an open marketplace of ideas can be found in our policy on expressive activities.
The University also recognizes that a healthy and thriving academic community depends on mutual respect and civility. Appropriate behavior, as described in our university policies, is an essential component of what we stand for as a university.
Commencement marks a celebratory occasion and the culmination of academic pursuits for thousands of Terrapins. We kindly ask that all in attendance stay focused and true to the purpose and spirit of today’s event.
Our policies do not allow for the obstruction, disruption, interruption, or attempt to force the cancellation of any university event, including commencement. If you wish to engage in protests, demonstrations or other such expressive activity, we ask that you abide by university policy and do so in the designated areas outside of the stadium. Failure to uphold a respectful atmosphere in accordance with our policies will result in being asked to leave, and potentially disciplinary or other such action.
Thank you for your shared commitment to observe and protect our principles of free expression.
Apply for Graduation
The deadline for undergraduates to apply for Spring 2025 graduation was February 7, 2025. Email cmnsque@umd.edu to request a late graduation application.
Summer 2025 graduation applications will be live on Testudo at the end of the spring semester and are due by July 17, 2025.
Regalia
Graduation regalia is required. All students can purchase regalia from the University Book Center or online from Oak Hall. Bachelor's degree candidate regalia are available for purchase only.
Faculty and staff should contact their department's commencement coordinator for assistance with bulk regalia orders or order online. Faculty and staff regalia will be available for pick-up in early May.
For further information, visit https://commencement.umd.edu/.
Frequently Asked Questions
- August 2024 bachelor's degree graduates
- December 2024 bachelor's degree graduates
- May 2025 bachelor's degree candidates
Students can bring up to 6 guests to the CMNS Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony. The event is not ticketed.
All August 2024 graduates, December 2024 graduates and May 2025 candidates must RSVP to attend the CMNS Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony.
Undergraduate students who have one course to take in the summer may complete the “Participate only” RSVP form by April 7, 2025. Remaining degree requirements and summer course registration will be verified before students are approved so they must be registered for the course. If the course is being taken at another institution, an approved PTE request must be on file and proof of enrollment must be sent to the CMNS undergraduate commencement team (cmnsugcommencement@umd.edu).
Please note: Participating in the May 2025 ceremony consists of you and your guests attending the ceremony, sitting with your major and walking across the stage with your name being called. You will receive your diploma, in the mail, in the fall, after summer degree clearance is completed.
Names of August 2025 graduates who are approved to participate will not appear in the University or CMNS Commencement programs until the May 2026 ceremonies.
Full regalia is required to participate in the CMNS Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony.
Graduation regalia is required. All students can purchase regalia from the University Book Center or order online from Oak Hall. Bachelor's degree candidate regalia are available for purchase only.
Faculty and staff should contact their department's commencement coordinator for assistance with bulk regalia orders or order online. Faculty and staff regalia will be available for pick-up in early May.
For further information, visit https://commencement.umd.edu/graduation-regalia-information.
If you are a double major candidate, your diploma will show your primary major and secondary major. If you are a dual degree candidate, you will receive two diplomas, one for each major. Latin Honors and Departmental Honors are on both the transcript and the applicable diploma. Everything else (e.g. Honors citations, College Park Scholars citations) are only on the transcript.
The University or the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences 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 a Enrollment Verification Certificate along with the copy of your passport. Enrollment Verification Certificate can be requested from the Office of the Registrar.
Please visit the CMNS Graduate Commencement webpage for more information.
