CMNS Graduate Student Commencement Ceremony
Monday, May 22, 2023
10 a.m.
Memorial Chapel
Students must RSVP by 4/14 at https://go.umd.edu/pZV
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.
Schedule
- 9:00 am - Graduates arrive, enter Memorial Chapel through the side door along Chapel Lane, and check in
- 9:15 am - Guests arrive at Memorial Chapel through the front door
- 9:50 am - Procession of Platform Party begins
- 10:00 am - Ceremony begins
- ~11:45 am - Reception immediately following the ceremony
The ceremony will last approximately an hour and a half. Graduates and guests are expected to remain and stay seated for the entirety of the ceremony.
Bags are permitted but will be subject to search upon entry into the venue.
Parking
- The closest parking to Memorial Chapel is Regents Drive Garage. The Memorial Chapel is a ~10-minute walk from Regents Drive Garage or a short ride on the UM Shuttle’s Armory/Chapel Loop (see the shuttle map for route details—times are subject to change).
- Parking permits are not required and meters will be turned off on campus from May 22-24. Be sure to obey all posted signage throughout campus as details may change.
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 can be dropped off on Chapel Lane directly beside Memorial Chapel before parking.
- Accessible parking is located at Regents Drive Garage.
- Wheelchair-accessible shuttles are available between Regents Drive Garage and Memorial Chapel.
- More information and accessibility resources, such as wheelchair rentals, is available at https://commencement.umd.edu/accessibility.
- Links to stream closed captioning on your personal device at the event:
- If you need special arrangements for hearing impairment or other disabilities, please contact Amy Chester (alevine@umd.edu).
Ph.D. graduates and Faculty Hooders: Please watch our video on how to properly perform a flawless doctoral hooding: https://youtu.be/sXn_eS1ENSU.
Campuswide Commencement
Monday, May 22, 2023
7 p.m.
Maryland Stadium
Regalia is required (see information below).
For more information, visit https://commencement.umd.edu/.
CMNS Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
12 p.m.
Xfinity Center
Students must RSVP by 4/14 at https://go.umd.edu/pZV
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.
Schedule
- 10:45 a.m. - Graduates arrive at Xfinity Center, enter through Gates C or D on the ground level, and report to Pavilion Gym
- 11:00 a.m. - Guests begin to arrive at Xfinity Center and enter through Gates A, B and E
- 11:30 a.m. - All graduates will be seated
- 11:45 a.m. - Procession begins
- 12:00 p.m. - Ceremony begins
- ~3:00 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.
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.
- If you need special arrangements for hearing impairment or other disabilities, please contact Adiam Gebrehiwot (agebre@umd.edu).
- Links to stream closed captioning on your personal device at the event:
Items Allowed and Not Allowed
Take a few minutes to review the Xfinity Center guidelines for items allowed and security procedures for the facility during commencement ceremonies. Here are a few key guidelines to note:
- Guests will only be able to carry bags that do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12", all of which are subject to search. This size limit includes, but is not limited to, purses, backpacks, drawstring bags, briefcases, luggage, computer bags, camera bags, binocular cases and diaper bags.
- Prohibited Items (the full list of prohibited items is available on the Xfinity Center guidelines webpage)
- Pets*
- Outside Food or Drink of any kind*
- Fireworks / Firearms / Weapons
- Artificial Noisemakers
- Strollers
- Skateboards / Bicycles
- Umbrellas
- Backpacks / Bags that are over 12" x 6" x 12". Please refer to Bag Policy above for more information.
*Exceptions will be made for those with medical requirements and/or special needs.
Regalia
Graduation regalia is required. All students can purchase regalia from the University Book Center or online from Oak Hall through May 4, 2023. Bachelor's and master’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 starting March 14, 2023 through April 29, 2023. Faculty and staff regalia will be available for pick-up the week of May 8, 2023 and should be returned to the UBC no later than June 2, 2023.
For further information, visit https://commencement.umd.edu/graduation-regalia-information.
Apply for Graduation
Undergraduates: The deadline to apply for Spring 2023 graduation was February 7, 2023. Email cmnsque@umd.edu to request a late graduation application.
Graduate Students: The deadline to apply for Spring 2023 graduation was February 7, 2023. Complete the Graduate Degree Clearance Waiver Form and send it to registrar-graduate@umd.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
- August 2022 graduates (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, graduate certificate)
- December 2022 graduates (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, graduate certificate)
- May 2023 candidates (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, graduate certificate)
Students can bring up to 6 guests to a CMNS Commencement Ceremony. The event is not ticketed.
All August 2022 graduates, December 2022 graduates and May 2023 candidates must RSVP by April 14, 2023 to attend a CMNS Commencement Ceremony: RSVP for the May 2023 CMNS Commencement Ceremony
Undergraduate students
Undergraduate students who have no more than 4 credits to take in the summer may complete the “Participate only” RSVP form. Remaining degree requirements will be verified before students are approved.
Please note: Names of August 2023 graduates who are approved to participate will not appear in the University or CMNS Commencement programs until the May 2024 ceremonies.
Graduate students
Graduate students who meet the following requirements may complete the “Participate Only” RSVP form:
- Ph.D. candidate must successfully defend by May 19, 2023
- Master’s with thesis candidate must successfully defend by May 19, 2023
- Professional master’s and master’s without thesis candidate who have 1 or 2 credits to complete in the summer
Please note: Names of August 2023 graduates who are approved to participate will not appear in the University or CMNS Commencement programs until the May 2024 ceremonies.
Full regalia is required to participate in a CMNS Commencement Ceremony.
Graduation regalia is required. All students can purchase regalia from the University Book Center starting November 16, 2022 or order online from Oak Hall starting October 15, 2022 through May 4, 2023. Bachelor's and master’s degree candidates 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 starting March 14, 2023 through April 29, 2023. Faculty and staff regalia will be available for pick-up the week of May 8, 2023 and should be returned to the UBC no later than June 2, 2023.
For further information, visit https://commencement.umd.edu/graduation-regalia-information.
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.