• Introduction - Changes this Year
• Schedule for Commencement
  • Locations of Individual College Exercises
• Rain Plans
• Maps

Introduction - Changes this Year

Commencement 2005 will mark a change in the order of exercises at UMass Dartmouth. Before, every student was called by name and walked across the stage individually. This format is no longer suitable, given the 1,200 plus students who will graduate. Our goal is to maintain the formal and personal elements of the ceremony while reducing the time involved to a more reasonable level.

This year the ceremony will proceed as years before, up until the college exercises. At that point, the colleges will separate and proceed by college to designated areas. Each college will conduct its own ceremonies for individual students, including calling the names of the graduates and presenting of diploma covers. The college ceremonies should last no longer than 45 minutes to one hour, and will run concurrently. Family, friends and guests can observe their student's ceremony. Handicapped access will be provided.

Schedule for Commencement

9:00 A.M. Student Check-In & Line-Up

All students report to the main quadrangle and check in at the appropriate college tables and begin forming their lines for the Academic Procession.

10:10 A.M. Procession Begins

10:30 A.M. University Commencement in the Ampitheatre

Welcome by the Chancellor and other distinguished guests, student speaker, conferring of honorary degrees, Keynote Speaker, awarding of Doctoral Degrees, conferring of degrees by college.

11:45 A.M. College Exercises

College Deans will lead their faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students to their respective areas where each college will conduct their own individual ceremonies and call the names of the graduate and undergraduate students.

The locations for each college are:

• Arts & Sciences: Ampitheatre
• Business and Industry: Grass field behind Group I, near Career Resource Center entrance.
• Engineering: Upper Quad outside of the Dion Building
• Nursing: Main Auditorium
• Visual and Performing Arts: Behind Group VI

The ceremonies mark the end of commencement. Individual colleges may hold receptions after their ceremony. Students, family and guests are free to attend or visit other ceremonies and receptions.