SPP Commencement

Undergraduate and graduate students who are close to completing their degree requirements may be permitted by their college, at the request of the student, to participate in spring departmental, college, and/or campus commencement activities if they can demonstrate that they intend to complete all degree requirements before the first day of classes in the next fall semester. Colleges may define criteria for summer graduates to be considered for participation in May commencement ceremonies, such as the number or type of credits or courses left to complete the degree. Students should consult school or college commencement websites for details. 

Participation in commencement activities (including the main commencement ceremony) does not imply degree completion or graduation, nor official degree completion in that particular spring semester. All degree requirements must be completed before a degree and diploma can be awarded. 

Undergraduate students who are pursuing a double degree, and who intend to complete all graduation requirements for one of the degrees before the first day of fall classes, may participate in the ceremonies for that degree. Students who are pursuing a double major must complete all degree requirements for both majors before the first day of fall classes to be able to participate in these ceremonies.

Procedurally, students who plan to complete their degree requirements in summer and wish to participate in spring commencement ceremonies must contact their academic college (in the case of undergraduate students) or academic department (in the case of graduate students). If the request is approved, the college or department will notify the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) as soon as possible by sending the student’s name, UID, and email address to Diploma Services. OUR will then communicate with the student and the ticketing office accordingly. Once this process is completed, the student will be eligible to receive tickets for the main ceremony and may participate in the department or college ceremonies. 

In the interest of having the printed main commencement program be as accurate as possible, students’ names will be included in this printed program only if they are expected to graduate in the spring. Depending on the timing of when OUR receives notification, however, late additions and deletions may not be accurately recorded in the printed program. Colleges and departments have the discretion to include the names of summer graduates who participate in the spring ceremonies in their printed programs if they wish.

All graduates must arrive by 2pm in regalia. Students will be directed to the robing room of the The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. Students will check in, receive their name cards and staff assistance with robes, and line up alphabetically by program of study. 

Graduates may not bring personal belongings to the robing room; we cannot guarantee the security of such items. We encourage you to leave all personal bags and items with your family or guests. 

Guests will be directed to Dekelboum Concert Hall in The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. All guests, including infants and those requiring accessible seating, must have a ticket. The venue will begin seating no earlier than 2:45pm. 

Parking is free during commencement days. The closest garage to Dekelboum Concert Hall at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center is Stadium Drive Garage. The address for Stadium Drive Garage is 8270 Alumni Dr, College Park, MD 20742. Please note that the Stadium Drive Garage has elevators and accessible parking on a first-come first-served basis. If you find that Stadium Drive Garage is filled we suggest alternative parking at Lot 1 and Mowatt Lane Garage. View more information on how to locate The Clarice and information about transportation.

Guests unable to attend the School commencement ceremony in person, are able to enjoy it virtually through a livestream. Guests can join during the time of the event using this link. 

Grad Images is our official photographer for the commencement ceremony. During the ceremony, portraits will be taken of graduates. After the ceremony, Grad Images will email students their photos for purchase.

The School of Public Policy has an official Flickr account where unofficial photos taken by staff are uploaded after the ceremony.

Following the commencement ceremony, graduates and their guests are invited to attend a reception in honor of the Class of 2024. This will take place in the lobby of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. Light refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be served. 

Large signs, balloons, banners, noise makers and other objects that impede visibility or sound will not be permitted. 

Guests and graduates will be subject to a bag/security check. 

It is a general university policy of, “See Something, Say Something” if you see anything out of place or have questions about any safety concerns there will be police available during our ceremony. In the event of an immediate threat please contact 911 or 301-405-3555. View more information about the Maryland University Policy Department.