Commencement FAQ's

No, you do not have to attend. Commencement is an optional activity to celebrate the completion of your degree. A fee is charged to those students who do opt to participate to help offset the costs of producing the ceremony.

​Yes! We encourage students to express their creativity. Be sure to use #CUDenverGrad so we can see what you create!​

Graduates do not receive their diplomas at the ceremony. All diplomas are mailed to graduates approximately two months after the end of the semester. Diploma addresses can be updated via the student portal.

To ensure that all students are wearing the proper regalia and that it is consistent with the university's quality standards, all graduates are required to rent caps and gowns through Herff Jones, our official vendor.  All CU Denver Graduates wear regalia featuring CU colors.

Yes, if you need someone else to pick up your regalia on your behalf, please email them a copy of your registration confirmation and they can show that to the regalia provider at pick-up.

Graduates must check in with the schools and colleges in the PE Event Center no later than 7:45am on Saturday morning. Students who arrive late may risk missing the procession.

​To obtain honor cords to be worn with your gown, contact an advisor with your school or college prior to the commencement ceremony. Honor cords are only presented to undergraduate students.

Cancellations received by the close of cap and gown registration will receive a full refund. After this date the commencement fees cannot be refunded.  If you chose to ship your regalia to you, it can be returned for a refund in the return envelope.  You will only receive a full refund if the gown was unopened.

Indi​vidual student organizations and departments coordinate orders and distribution of participation and recognition cords. Please contact your organization or the affiliated department to inquire about cords/stoles.

New cord or stole programs must be approved by the Commencement Office. Please submit your request to the Commencement Office at commencement@ucdenver.edu​.  All requests for new cords and stoles must be approved before ordering.

The spring ceremony is typically 3 hours. In consideration of the audience and the significance of this event, all guests and graduates must remain seated for the entire ceremony

No, guests do not need tickets for the ceremony. Please note that seating is first-come, first-served.

​Please visit the Disability-Related Access​ page for more information about arrangements in place for graduates who need assistance. You will be asked during the registration process whether you require accommodations to fully participate in the ceremony.

There is no rehearsal for the ceremony. Once you have checked in with your school/college you will receive instruction from the faculty marshals. Visit the Ceremony Details page for more information about how the ceremony works.

As a courtesy, the Commencement Office will draft a letter of invitation to friends and family abroad to include in a visa application packet. Requests should be sent to commencement@ucdenver.edu and must contain the following information:

1. Your name
2. Your preferred pronoun
3. Degree to be earned
4. Semester attending commencement
5. Name and relationship of each guest to be invited
6. City and country of embassy/consulate where visa application interview will take place

​Contact Alex Frieler at Herff Jones at frieleraj@uniquerecognition.com​ to inquire about buying regalia. 

Graduates can purchase souvenir tassels, class rings, announcements, and more through the registration website without registering to participate in the ceremony. Instructions for receiving your items will be provided.

For safety and consideration for the significance of the ceremony, graduates with children are not allowed to bring their child to the stage with them.

The spring commencement ceremony is an outdoor event and weather in May can be unpredictable and will be held rain, snow, or shine. As long as there is no threat posed to students, families and other participants in commencement, the ceremony will continue as scheduled.

We encourage all graduates to dress appropriately - including proper footwear - and to prepare your guests. If severe weather were to make it unsafe to hold the ceremony outdoors, a rescheduled ceremony would be considered. Graduates can elect to participate in any commencement ceremony following the completion of degree requirements, so by choosing to participate, graduates acknowledge the risk of ceremony cancellation

Wheelchairs and scooters are not available for rent on the Auraria campus. Please visit the Disability-Related Access page for more information for students and their guests.

CU Denver partners with Herff Jones to provide graduation products (announcements, rings, frames, etc.) with the approved commencement dates, designs, and branding. However, you may elect to purchase announcements or memorabilia from any provider. Students are required to use Herff Jones for their cap and gown rental.

For those guests who require disability-related accommodations (i.e. hearing-impaired, in a wheelchair), seats are issued on a first-come, first served basis during the graduates registration process. Please visit the Disability-Related Access page for more information.

As a service to our graduates, professional photographers will be taking pictures of each graduate during the ceremony. Proofs of these photographs will be emailed within 5 business days of the ceremony and will include a coupon for a free 5x7 print (no purchase necessary).

If you would like to pre-register for photographs and receive a discount on photo purchases, please visit www.gradimages.com/Preregistration.

Please note, in order to maintain the graduate safety and the ceremony timing, professional photographers who are not part of the Grad Images team will not be allowed in the graduate seating or on the stage. Families are encouraged to utilize the Grad Images team and not hire separate photographers.

No, tickets are not issued for commencement. Seating is available on a first-come, first served basis. The ceremony is also livestreamed and recorded.

The spring ceremony is typically 3 hours. In consideration of the audience and the significance of this event, all guests and graduates must remain seated for the entire ceremony.

Yes, the ceremony is available to watch on YouTube. The link will be posted on the Commencement homepage prior to the ceremony.

There are thousands of hotel rooms within walking distance of the Auraria Campus. Some properties have discounted rates for guests affiliated with CU Denver. Be sure to ask if any discounted rates are available for commencement.

denver.org/denver-hotels

The following items are prohibited on the Tivoli Lawn: alcohol, illegal drugs, artificial noise makers, banners, large signs, bottles, cans, coolers, fireworks, helium balloons, aerosol cans, defensive weapons, and pets (service animals are permitted, please contact the Commencement Office).