Commencement FAQ's

Please note that graduate names are printed in the commencement program only in the semester for which you have been approved to graduate.​

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.

Students who select the on-campus pick up option during registration will pick up their rental items at St. Cajetan's on the Auraria Campus on either Tuesday, May 10 between 10am - 7pm or Wednesday, May 11 between 10am-5pm.  Early pick up is not available.

During registration, graduates have the option to pay to ship their gowns to their homes in order to receive them before the on-campus pick up date.

Once orders are placed, graduates cannot change their delivery preference to home-shipping or on campus pick up.

​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/Events Center gym 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.​

Yes, you can still participate and your name will be read, but you will be charged late fees. You will need to go to cap and gown pick-up (Tuesday, May 10, 10am to 7pm or Wednesday, May 11, 10am-5pm in St. Cajetan's on the Auraria Campus) to rent your cap and gown and pay the commencement fees. Please note that all on-site payments must be made in cash and will include a $50 late fee in addition to the standard commencement fees. The on-site fees are listed on the commencement homepage.

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. Degree to be earned

​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.

Parking is free in all Auraria Campus lots for commencement. The Tivoli Parking Garage is closed on commencement day.

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.

Commencement is a rain or shine event and will be held in Tivoli Quad unless severe weather is expected. If dangerous conditions are forecast, commencement will be held as three ceremonies in the Lola & Rob Student Wellness Center gym. More details will be available prior to the ceremony on the Severe Weather Plan page.

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.

Parking is free in all Auraria Campus lots for commencement. The Tivoli Parking Garage is closed on commencement day.

For those guests who require disability-related accommodations (i.e. hearing-impaired, in a wheelchair), tickets are issued on a first-come, first served basis for a designated seating section. 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 Facebook Live and 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.

http://www.denver.org/denver-hotels/

The following items are prohibited on the Tivoli Quad: alcohol, illegal drugs, artificial noise makers, banners, large signs, and pets (service animals are permitted, please contact the Commencement Office). Umbrellas are discouraged and may not be used while seated so as not to obstruct the view of others.