Before the Ceremony

• 1. Apply for Graduation

  1. Apply for Graduation

  An application for graduation must be submitted prior to walking in the commencement ceremony. For steps to apply for graduation, visit Graduation & Degree Services. Deadlines are:

  • November 8, 2024 – Deadline to apply for fall graduation and be included in the printed commencement program
  • December 6, 2024 – Deadline to apply for fall graduation and walk in the commencement ceremony

   

  Graduates from other University of Alaska campuses wishing to walk at UAA must complete an application for graduation through their respective campus and email uaa_commencement@alaska.edu with their request to participate in UAA's ceremony. 

• 2. RSVP for the Ceremony

  2. RSVP for the Ceremony

  An RSVP is required for all graduates participating in the ceremony or watching online and is an important step to ensure a seat is reserved for you. The RSVP page opens two months prior to the ceremony and students who have submitted an application for graduation will be notified via email at that time. 

• 3. Purchase Regalia

  3. Purchase Regalia

  Cap, gown and tassel are required to participate in commencement. A hood is also required for master's and doctoral degree candidates. These items are available for purchase from the Seawolf Store. 

Day of Ceremony

• 4. Arrive at the Alaska Airlines Center

  4. Arrive at Alaska Airlines Center or Watch Online

  For the safety and security of our graduates and guests, mandatory security screening by walk-through metal detectors will be in place at UAA’s commencement ceremonies. Screening stations will open outside the main entrances to the arena beginning at 11:30 a.m., and a graduates only security station will open at the same time at the entrance to the auxiliary gym (see directional signs at the event).  

  To help ensure an efficient and positive experience for all, we ask that you:

  • Bring only essential items needed for the event.
  • Leave backpacks and bags larger than 4.5 x 6.5 inches at home. Please see the new Clear Bag Policy at the Alaska Airlines Center for full details.
  • Note that noisemakers and weapons will be refused at the screening stations.

  Please see Parking Maps for parking diagrams.

  Viewing the Ceremony Online
  The commencement ceremony will be streamed on Facebook Live.  A Facebook login is not required to view the event.  Links to the ceremony and the digital program will be posted on the front page of the commencement website. 

   

• 5. Attend registration/check-in

  5. Attend registration / check-in

  Registration will be held in enrollment services on Friday, Dec. 13 from 11 a.m.–2 p.m., OR in the Alaska Airlines Center auxiliary gym the day of commencement from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 

  Graduates must attend one of the two registration/check-in sessions to pick up their "reader card" which will be handed to the person reading names as students cross the stage.  The card indicates the section on the arena floor where the graduate will be seated as well as important information for commencement photographers. Cards will be completed for graduates watching online and will be read once in person graduates have crossed the stage. 

   

• 6. Line up for the Processional

  6. Line up for the Processional

  After receiving your reader card, graduates are to find the letter matching your card on the wall in the auxiliary gym then group around that letter.  Example:  All students from the College of Arts and Sciences will be in one group with graduate students going first then undergraduates (receiving bachelor's and associate degrees or certificates) walking next.  

  Commencement Crew will be available to answer questions during registration and help direct you to your area.  Each college will be led out of the auxiliary gym by a flag bearer. 

  Don't worry about being in alphabetical order or single file. Space is tight, so please just group around your letter. As the line starts moving out of the auxiliary gym and down to the main level for the processional, you can line up single file.    

  Remember to start the ceremony with your tassel on the right of your cap.

• 7. The processional

  7. The processional

  You will be directed to your seats as you enter the arena at the beginning of the ceremony and will remain standing until the stage party follows you inside. Once everyone is in the arena, the reader will ask all to be seated.

• 8. The ceremony

  8. The ceremony

  After introductions, performances, the chancellor's address, and the student and commencement speakers, candidates will participate in the ceremonial presentation of degrees (Note: diplomas will not be inside diploma covers presented on stage). Each college proceeds, led by a flag bearer, with doctoral and master's degree candidates first, followed by undergraduate degree (bachelors, associates and certificates) candidates. A professional photographer will take photos of each degree candidate crossing the stage.

  Once every graduate has crossed the stage, all students will stand for the UAA Alma Mater and remain standing while a regent ceremonially confers degrees. Graduates will then be instructed by the chancellor to move tassels from right to the left of their caps,and the recessional will begin.

  Fall Commencement Ceremony runs approximately two hours (1-3 p.m.) and Spring Commencement runs approximately two and a half hours (1-3:30 p.m.) 

• 9. The recessional

  9. The recessional

  The academic recession, led by the stage party, concludes the formal program. You must remain at your seat until Commencement Crew directs you out of rows and into line, through the faculty honor aisle, and back to the auxiliary gym. Graduates can meet friends and family outdoors on the south side of the Alaska Airlines Center.

Additional information

• Diplomas will not be inside diploma covers. It will take a few weeks to calculate grades for graduates who have just finished finals. Graduates will receive an email from Degree Services when diplomas are printed and ready for pick-up/delivery.

• Conferring of degrees at the ceremony is provisional, pending verification that all degree requirements have been met.

• Graduates who do not want their diploma covers should leave them on their seat to be collected and given to another student.

• Graduates who RSVPd to watch the ceremony online can visit the UAA Alumni Relations office after the ceremony to pick up their diploma covers (907-786-1942 or seawolf.forever@alaska.edu ).
  
  
• Graduates will receive an email or text from the photographer approx. 1- 2 weeks following the ceremony with links to purchase photos taken at the event.