April 04, 2017
Sandy Fales
Graduating from college might feel like a long-awaited dream, and a student’s last semester can seem surreal.
But before you finally walk across the stage after a long four or five years, you’ll need to put in a lot of work to prepare.
The Scribe put together a list of tasks to consider before, during and after commencement day occurs to help your graduation process be a little simpler.
Before the Ceremony
Students can purchase their cap, gown, announcements, graduation products and services during the Graduation Fair on April 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and April 5 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in UC 116.
If you can’t make the fair, caps and gowns can also be purchased year-round in the bookstore, so you’ll have time later on if this Tuesday and Wednesday don’t fit into your schedule.
If you forget to purchase your cap and gown prior to commencement day, don’t stress too much; there will be a limited number of sets available for purchase at the bookstore table at the Broadmoor World Arena.
A professional photographer will be onsite both days of the fair, and students can order graduation images from Grad Images at 1-800-628-4509. Proofs will be sent out in June.
The Copy Center offers a selection of graduation announcements as well. You can discuss your options with Copy Center staff. To order your announcements, visit the Copy Center in UC 108, call 255-3213 or email at [email protected].
Students graduating with honors will receive their colored cords when they check in on the day of commencement.
Students who have an immediate family member who also graduated from UCCS can request a complimentary legacy cord online at uccs.edu/alumni/ legacy, or call Lisa Bartholme at 255-3187.
Commencement Day Details
Spring Commencement will take place on May 12 at the Broadmoor World Arena, located at 3185 Venetucci Blvd. Parking will be free to the public. Spectators can begin seating at 9:00 a.m. for the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
Students who are graduating from the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences should arrive no later than 9:45 a.m. as the ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m., according to Tina Collins, executive assistant to the vice chancellor.
“Those arriving late should head downstairs to take their place in line as quickly as possible,” said Collins.
All students who are graduating from the College of Helen and Arthur E. Johnson School of Nursing and Health Sciences, College of Business and Administration, School of Public Affairs, College of Education or College of Engineering and Applied Sciences are asked to arrive no later than 1:45 p.m. with a start time of 2:30 p.m.
Spectators can begin seating at 1:00 p.m. for these colleges.
Each ceremony will take 1.5 to 2 hours to complete.
For those wishing to arrive early and save seats for others, they must follow the Broadmoor World Arena policy, which states that a maximum of four seats be saved by one person. Seating is on a first come, first served basis.
No limit is applicable to the amount of guests you may invite, and no tickets are necessary to attend the commencement.
If your family or friends are not able to attend Commencement, or you want to watch it for yourself to remember the good ol’ days, it will be re-broadcast on Comcast channel 20, date and time to be determined.
Accommodations
Handicap parking is available at the arena as well as handicap accessible seating in row K of the concourse. Sign language is provided in section 107. For those requiring special needs arrangements, please contact Tina Collins at 255-3582.
After Graduation
To join the UCCS Alumni Association or to order graduation photographs from the ceremony, please contact Jennifer Hane in the Alumni Relations Office at 255-3180, or visit gradimages.com/universityofcoloradocoloradosprings.
Be sure to update your permanent mailing address at MyCUInfo.edu to ensure timely delivery of your diploma that will be mailed in August, as well as any further correspondence with the college.
Graduating college is exciting, but make sure you have all your ducks in a row before you walk across the stage.
To learn more about spring graduation, visit the commencement website at uccs. edu/commencement/springceremony.