Graduation Instructions

University Commencement

The University of Utah General Commencement will be on Thursday, May 4^th at 6:00 PM at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. The ceremony will also be available to stream at https://www.utah.edu/live/. For more information please visit the University’s Commencement Webpage.

College of Social Work Convocation

The College of Social Work convocation ceremony will be on Friday, May 5^th at 9:00 AM at Kingsbury Hall.

In Preparation:

• RSVP AND TICKETS: All guests, including babes in arms, will be required to have a physical ticket to enter Kingsbury Hall for the convocation ceremony. Graduates must complete the Convocation RSVP & Ticket Form by April 2, 2023 to request tickets for their guests. Please note:

  • There will be a limited amount of tickets available for guests—likely 2-4 guest tickets per graduate; this will depend on graduate RSVP numbers and other factors. Graduates can request additional tickets through the RSVP & Ticket Form that will be disbursed based on availability.

    • Overflow seating with a livestream of the convocation will be available in Thompson Hall in the School of Music, which is adjacent to Kingsbury Hall. If you do not have tickets for all of your guests to enter Kingsbury Hall, they can watch from next door and meet up with you following the event.

  • After the RSVP & Ticket Form has closed, graduates can collect their physical tickets during specific ticket distribution times that will be announced in early April. Only the graduate is able to collect their tickets and must have a photo ID present at the time of pickup.

    • Graduates unable to collect their tickets in person due to extenuating circumstances or their location (e.g. St. George Cohort, Distance Ed., Online Program), can contact the Graduation Coordinator by April 14th to arrange mail delivery of their tickets.
  • Graduates will be able to request special accommodations for themselves or their guests. This can include, but is not limited to: wheelchair seating, ASL interpreters, limited mobility with walkers, canes, etc. or anything that may require special arrangements. The RSVP & Ticket Form will include an option to request accommodations, or requests can be sent to the Graduation Coordinators (swgraduation@lists.utah.edu). Please confirm the accommodations with the Graduation Coordinators at the time of ticket pick up.
• REGALIA: CSW graduates are encouraged to pre-order regalia through the Campus Store’s website, which will open on March 1^st, and pick up their order during the Graduation Fair that will be held March 30^th- April 1^st. CSW graduates can purchase a black gown and a black cap with a citron-colored tassel, MSW hoods (citron-colored trim), and PhD hoods, and special caps and gowns may be available if desired. More information can be found on the Campus Store’s website. Questions about purchasing regalia may be directed to Abby Hirshberg (ahirshberg@campusstore.utah.edu, 801-581-4733). There may be regalia rentals available for a few CSW students; contact the Graduation Coordinators for more information about renting regalia.

 

Day of Event:

• Arrive in cap and gown in front of the Park Building, located on President’s Circle, by 8:15 AM. Immediately following the group photo, students will line up in the following order: BSW, MSW, PhD, students seated on stage. The processional from the Park Building to Kingsbury Hall will begin at 8:55 AM, and graduates who have a special part in the program (presenter, speaker or musician, PhD) will have a seat on the stage.
  
  
• Faculty will follow the student processional and be seated on the stage.

• All graduates will remain standing during the processional and may sit when the Dean instructs you to do so. During the ceremony, you will be directed to the stage where the reader is seated, and hand over the reader card. After your name is read, you will walk across the stage, receive your diploma, proceed backstage for a green screen photo, and return to your seat. Please be sure to follow directions from event volunteers. PhD students will sit and be hooded on stage. After the ceremony, the Dean will ask graduates to rise and exit the hall in the same order as they entered. Guests may meet you outside the building after the program.

• Do not leave valuables at your seat as you will not be at the same seat after you receive your diploma.