Ceremony Information
Information for Graduates
Attendance at commencement is optional, and participation in the ceremony does not guarantee the conferral of your degree.
There is no rehearsal, so it is important that you closely read the emails sent to your UNF inbox and the information on this site prior to attending the ceremony.
The University of North Florida welcomes everyone to tune in to the UNF Graduation YouTube channel for a livestream of the ceremony.
Arrival
Check-in will be available one hour before your ceremony begins. You should arrive wearing your cap and rental gown.
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Official UNF cap and gown from Herff Jones is required for participation in commencement.
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Please arrive early to ensure all participants are able to be checked in on time for the ceremony.
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If you are a bachelor's candidate, you should wear the tassel on your cap on the right side. If you are a master's or doctoral candidate, you should wear your tassel on the left side.
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Coats and jackets are not recommended, as you will be wearing a rental gown.
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Please do not carry purses, backpacks or helmets; there is no place to store them.
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If you arrive late, you will have to march at the end of the procession. Once the procession has begun, there is no opportunity for you to join your group.
Guest Seating
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All guests must have a ticket.
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General admission seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
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No guests are permitted in the degree candidates' seating area.
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Commencement protocol does not permit seating of guests during the procession; late arrivals must wait to be seated until the procession ends.
Assembly and Processional
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You must check in at the Field House (Building 26) at the front entrance.
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You will check in with the graduation staff to receive your name card and determine where to line up with your college for the processional.
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During check-in, verify that the information on your name card is correct. If it's not, a help desk will be on site to make corrections.
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The processional begins when the marshals lead you onto the main floor of the UNF Arena. You will proceed in a side-by-side single-file line, and remain standing until the President asks you to be seated.
Conferral of Degrees
Degrees will be conferred during each of their respective ceremonies for each college.
Crossing the Stage
Getting to the stage: The marshal will release your row to proceed up to the stage. You will exit your seat to the outside of the row (not to the center aisle), and proceed up the walkway to the ramps leading onto the stage. A photo will be taken of you on the ramp.
Crossing the stage: Another photo will be taken as you receive your diploma cover on stage. Cross the stage and exit off of the other ramp and return to your seat via the center aisle. If you are seated on the right side of the UNF Arena, you will cross the stage right-to-left. If you are seated on the left side of the UNF Arena, you will cross left-to-right. All degree candidates are recognized individually - your name will be read aloud as you cross the stage. Honors distinctions are not read.
Returning to your seat: After your photo is taken, proceed back to your seat via the center aisle (not the outside aisle from which you left).
Exiting the ceremony: At the conclusion of the ceremony, you will receive guidance from one or more of the marshals that led you in during the processional on how to exit the ceremony.
Appropriate Conduct
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Please remain seated during the ceremony.
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Cell phones and other devices should be turned off or remain on silent.
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All graduates and their guests are asked to remain in attendance for the entire ceremony as a sign of respect for all University graduates.
Information for Guests
Please refer to the information in these pages to guide you in preparing for this special occasion.
Arrival
The doors to the Arena will open to guests an hour before the ceremony.
Seating
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Guest seating is first-come, first-served.
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There are designated seating areas for guests with mobility limitations and those who are wheelchair users. An usher can direct your party to these areas. If you need accommodations due to a visual or hearing impairment, please send an email to commencement@unf.edu.
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You are not permitted in the students' seating area at any time. Guests will not be seated during the processional; late arrivals must wait until the procession ends.
Tickets & Younger Guests
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All guests must present a ticket for entry into the UNF Arena.
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Children's Tickets and Seating: Children 4 years of age and younger without a car seat or carrier will not be required to have a ticket to enter the venue. However, if you bring a child in a car seat/carrier (not recommended), you will need a ticket because the carrier would take the space of a seat.
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Strollers: Be advised that strollers brought into the UNF Arena cannot be taken into the upper and lower-level seating area. It is recommended not to bring child seats/carriers or strollers if possible.
Photographs
Photographs are encouraged, but only from either your seat or the two locations in the upper level of the Arena that are designated for photography. Be mindful of others, and do not stand along the walkway on the second level at any time. This is an essential safety measure to ensure that all graduates can be seen by their guests. All graduates will have individual photos taken by Flash Photography and videos of their stage crossings will be available through StageClip.
Appropriate Conduct
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Cell phones and other devices should be turned off during the ceremony.
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Please remain seated for the entire ceremony as a sign of respect for all graduating students.
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Hold all applause and refrain from loud celebrations until the conclusion of the ceremony, so that all families can hear their graduate's name announced.
Information for Faculty
Faculty are encouraged to participate in commencement, as they have played a significant role in the development of the graduates crossing the stage.
RSVP
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Faculty interested in participating in the processional or serving as faculty and student marshals should RSVP via the respective buttons below to reserve their seats on the Arena floor.
Regalia
Those participating in the faculty processional without their own regalia will need to reserve regalia from the UNF Bookstore by June 14th. Marshals DO NOT need to reserve regalia. Faculty rental regalia costs will be covered by the Registrar's Office. Please click the button below to place your order ASAP. Faculty members will be contacted by the UNF Commencement Office once their orders are ready for pick up. Your items must be returned to the UNF Bookstore directly after the commencement ceremony, or within the week following commencement.
Follett and the UNF Bookstore have exclusive rights to buy, sell, rent, and distribute official regalia for commencement.
Day of Commencement
All faculty participating in the processional or serving as marshals should meet in the Field House (Bldg. 26) prior to the ceremony. Light refreshments and seating will be provided in the private faculty staging area at the rear of the Field House.
Questions? Contact commencement@unf.edu. We look forward to welcoming you!