1. Lookin’ Good, Soon-To-Be Graduate!
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO GET YOUR DIPLOMA
AND WALK ACROSS THE STAGE

2. CONGRATULATIONS!
You’ve made it this far, and things are getting exciting now that you’re in your last semester of academic work. We hope you finish strong!
There are important things you need to do if you want to get a diploma and walk across the stage:
APPLY TO GRADUATE
RSVP FOR COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY (IF YOU PLAN TO “WALK”)
Both of these action items are now in MyMav.
Let’s take a moment to go over them.

3. GRADUATION VS COMMENCEMENT
Graduation refers to the actual awarding of your degree. -The Office of Records handles graduation and the mailing of diplomas. Commencement is the ceremony where students walk across the stage. -The Dean’s Office of each UTA College handles commencement. -Commencement ceremonies are held in May and December. August graduates are invited to participate in the December ceremony. To get a full idea of what happens at Commencement, read THIS and watch a previous ceremony HERE.

4. WHAT HAPPENS AT COMMENCEMENT?
The commencement ceremony is where candidates for degrees can gather with family, friends, and other students to celebrate their achievements at UTA -- it is sometimes called the “graduation ceremony.”
Participation is optional.
Participation in the ceremony is not an indication that your degree was awarded.
Final grades are not posted until after the ceremonies occur, so the awarding or denial of degrees does not happen until after the ceremonies are over.
No diplomas are distributed at the ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed about 6-8 weeks after grades are posted to the permanent address listed on your MyMav account.
. . . AND WHAT DOESN’T?

5. APPLY TO GRADUATE
Graduation is the formal process of receiving your degree.
YOU must let the University know you are finishing your academic program and will be eligible to receive your degree and diploma. You must apply to graduate on MyMav even if you do not plan on attending the commencement ceremony.

6. APPLY ON MYMAV Follow the steps below: Log into My Mav
Go to your MyMav Student Center to apply to graduate
(Main Menu -> Self Service -> Student Center)
Under Academics, click Apply for Graduation
Follow the instructions on the Submit an Application for Graduation page
Select the graduation term for which you are applying, and read all of the instructions
Click CONTINUE
Verify your graduation data; and read all instructions
Click SUBMIT APPLICATION
You will receive a notification via your UTA account that your application for graduation has been received.

7. for their name to appear in the commencement program.
DEADLINES
Deadlines to apply to graduate are EARLY in the semester, so apply to graduate as soon as you are able to do so.
June 4: Deadline to apply to graduate on MyMav for Summer 2019 semester (July 2: Late Deadline to apply to graduate on MyMav for Summer 2019 semester; additional fee is assessed)
Sept. 4: Deadline to apply to graduate on MyMav for Fall 2019 semester (Oct. 2: Late Deadline to apply to graduate on MyMav for Fall 2019 semester; additional fee is assessed)
GRADUATE STUDENTS have additional deadlines and requirements for defense/exams/dissertation submissions. Do not disregard these deadlines.
Late graduation applicants will owe a late fee and may miss their opportunity
for their name to appear in the commencement program.
More information about late applications is on the Deadlines page, linked above.

8. DEADLINES: DOCTORAL STUDENTS

9. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Don’t wait until the last minute to send any transcripts from other institutions. Get them sent as early as possible! Waiting to send them in may delay your diploma from being awarded.
Graduation fees are batch posted, so your fee will not appear in your MyMav account immediately.
Once your graduation application status is listed as “In Review” the fee has been added to your account.
Pass your final classes, pay all outstanding bills and fees, and settle all remaining holds.
After final grades post, your degree plan will be reviewed to ensure you met all requirements.
Your academic transcript will be updated to show that your degree was conferred.
Your diploma will be mailed to you 6-8 weeks after your degree was conferred.
Check your status via MyMav and your UTA regularly until you have your diploma in hand.

10. RSVP FOR COMMENCEMENT ****NEW PROCESS BEGINNING SUMMER 2019****
The College of Engineering Commencement Ceremony is one of the largest at UTA. The earlier you make your intent for attending Commencement known, the better!
RSVP For Commencement:
Beginning with Summer 2019, registering for the Commencement ceremony is integrated with applying to graduate on MyMav. The following pages will show you a step-by-step of how to register for the ceremony.
International Students: If your family requires a visa to visit the U.S. and you need a letter to invite your family, apply for a letter HERE.

11. STEP 1
STEP 2

12. STEP 3
STEP 4

13. STEP 5

14. RSVP FOR COMMENCEMENT
You may change your RSVP about attending and any of the answers up to about one month prior to the ceremony. You will see this on your MyMav. Select “View Commencement RSVP” to view/edit your response.

15. RSVP FOR COMMENCEMENT
After the cutoff date, you will no longer be able to change your response and will see this on your MyMav with an actual address to contact with changes.

16. RSVP FOR COMMENCEMENT IMPORTANT NOTES:
You MUST RSVP “YES” on MyMav to be on the list to get tickets.
The ticketing process will remain the same (3 ticket offers).
Dates and information about tickets is listed later in this presentation
If you are unable to walk at the time you finish your degree, you will not be able to RSVP yourself to a later ceremony because you will lose access to MyMav after graduation. You will need to fill out the form at lib/machform/view.php?id=4963 to be added to the list manually. You will not get a reminder to do this.
Your name and degree will only be printed in the program when you finish, NOT if you walk later.

17. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Graduation candidates must wear their regalia to participate in commencement.
You are responsible for contacting the UTA Bookstore and ordering your commencement regalia.
Take care of this as soon as possible. There is a deadline to place your order. Doctoral candidates should order their regalia EXTRA early!
Make sure you take it out of the packaging when you receive it to make sure it is the correct item and you have all required pieces (including tassels, zipper pulls, etc.). Don’t wait until Commencement Day!

18. SO, WHAT *IS* REGALIA?
Bachelor Candidates must wear a mortarboard cap and gown, and may wear stoles, cords and medallions that they have earned.
Any students graduating with Latin honors (Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude or Summa Cum Laude) may purchase gold cords from the UTA Bookstore. Your name must be on the list provided to the Bookstore to receive the cords. More information HERE.
Co-Op/Internship Cords (Red)
All UNDERGRADUATE students who completed a co-op or internship may purchase a red cord from the UTA Bookstore. Your name must be on the list provided to the Bookstore to receive the cords. 
Research Cords (Purple)
All UNDERGRADUATE students who participated in non-mandatory research may purchase a red cord from the UTA Bookstore. Your name must be on the list provided to the Bookstore to receive the cords. 
Ask your honor society/student organization for other cords or stoles that they may provide. There may be a charge for these.

19. SO, WHAT *IS* REGALIA?
Preferred/New Style
Older Style
Master’s Candidates must wear a mortarboard cap, gown and orange hood and may wear stoles, cords and medallions that they have earned. Master’s gowns have long, wing-like sleeves.
Master’s candidates are not eligible for Latin honors cords, internship/co-op cords or undergraduate research cords.
Ask your honor society/student organization for other cords or stoles that they may provide. There may be a charge for these.

20. SO, WHAT *IS* REGALIA?
Doctoral Candidates must wear a cap, gown with three velvet stripes on sleeves, and doctoral hood. A tam style cap (shown in the photos on the left) is preferred over a mortarboard to make hooding easier, but either is acceptable. Doctoral candidates are hooded on stage during the ceremony.
Cords and stoles are not typically worn with doctoral regalia.
Doctoral candidates and their supervising professor will be invited to a hooding practice just prior to the ceremony.

21. Cap Decoration is encouraged so have fun!
GET CREATIVE!
Cap Decoration is encouraged so have fun!

22. WILL MY NAME BE IN THE PROGRAM?
You must insure that your privacy preference settings in MyMav are set to allow that inclusion.
To insure that your name is included in the printed booklet that is distributed at each ceremony, we recommend that you make this change no later than at the time you apply for graduation.
NOTE: Your name will appear as it appears on MyMav in the "Primary Name" field. If you want to change how it reads, you will need to submit a name change request.

23. CLAIM YOUR COMMENCEMENT TICKETS
FOUR IMPORTANT POINTS ABOUT TICKETS:
Engineering graduates who have registered for the ceremony by Nov. 7 will have up to six (6) tickets reserved in their name. You must claim these tickets in Ticket Offer 1.
You must also claim your GRADUATE Ticket in Ticket Offer 1.
Tickets are not held for you after Ticket Offer 1. If you do not claim your tickets in Ticket Offer 1, there is a possibility you will not be able to get ANY tickets.
It is up to you to claim your tickets during each ticket offer.

24. DON’T DELAY REGISTERING FOR COMMENCEMENT
If you register by November 7*: You are eligible for Ticket Offer 1 (Guaranteed up to 6 tickets per student), as well as Ticket Offer 2 and Ticket Offer 3, IF TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE.
If you register between November 8 and November 13*: You are eligible for Ticket Offer 2, as well as Ticket Offer 3, IF TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE
If you register after November 13*: You are eligible for Ticket Offer 3 ONLY, IF TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE
*Dates are subject to change and will updated as they become final.

25. COMMENCEMENT TICKET TIMELINE*
Nov. 7*: Deadline to register to get the maximum number of guest tickets
Nov. 11*: Students receive from UTA with instructions on downloading tickets for Ticket Offer 1
Nov. 10 am: Ticket Offer 1 Opens
Nov. noon: Ticket Offer 1 Closes
Nov. 18*: Students receive from UTA with instructions on downloading tickets for Ticket Offer 2
Nov. 10 am: Ticket Offer 2 Opens
Nov. noon: Ticket Offer 2 Closes
Nov. 25*: Students receive from UTA with instructions on downloading tickets for Ticket Offer 3
Nov. 10 am: Ticket Offer 3 Opens
Dec. noon: Ticket Offer 3 Closes
*Dates are subject to change and will updated as they become final.

26. REMINDERS
Set reminders, such as on your phone or calendar, so that you remember to claim your guest tickets. Do not rely on external reminders, such as s or Blackboard notifications.
Tickets will run out, likely during Ticket Offer 2, due to the capacity of the College Park Center. Please do not depend on tickets being available after Ticket Offer 1.
Submitting a late RSVP will cause you to miss ticketing offers and will limit the tickets available to you.

27. WHAT IF WE RUN OUT OF TICKETS??
Everyone over the age of 2 must have a ticket to enter the building.
Be respectful of your fellow students and do not download more tickets than you need. If you have extra tickets you are not going to use, give them to a friend in need or them (tickets are PDFs) to for redistribution.
We typically have 20-25% of claimed tickets that go unredeemed. Please do not take tickets if you are not going to use them. It just makes everyone anxious for no reason.
If we sell out of guaranteed seat tickets, we’ll go to Standby tickets (if necessary, Standby A, Standby B, Standby C, etc.).
College Park Center will let standby ticket holders in minutes before the ceremony begins. 
ALL ticket holders will most likely be allowed to enter the building. We have never come close to having a full house. So don’t panic if you don’t have all you need right away. Patience is the name of the game!

28. CLAIM YOUR COMMENCEMENT TICKETS
We understand that Commencement is a time that graduates want to celebrate with all of their friends and family. The capacity limits of the CPC, however, are absolute due to fire safety codes.
To be fair to all students, we are not able to make special accommodations regarding additional tickets, regardless of personal circumstances such as number of family traveling in and so on.
Please make your plans based on the number of tickets you are able to claim, rather than the number of tickets you may want.

29. COMMENCEMENT DAY: PARKING

30. COMMENCEMENT DAY: ENTRANCES

31. COMMENCEMENT DAY: TICKETS
Make sure YOU have the GRADUATE ticket to enter the building!
Make sure YOUR GUESTS have their GUEST tickets to enter the building!

32. N SPANIOLO DRIVE FACULTY AND GRADUATES ENTER THE BUILDING HERE
PHD & MS GRADS ASSEMBLE HERE
BS GRADS
ASSEMBLE HERE

33. CE - Civil Engineering – Bachelor’s Degree
J o h n D o e
Summa Cum Laude
CE - Civil Engineering – Bachelor’s Degree
Row 1, Seat 1
This is a sample of your namecard. Do not fold, roll or otherwise damage it. Hold onto it and take it to the stage with you. Give it to the Announcer at the top of the ramp. Leave your program at your seat.

34. TYPICAL FALL SET UP
TYPICAL SPRING SET UP

35. When it is time to go into the Arena, Staff will lead you out of the Gyms in order by rows (PhDs first). The student in the Wheelchair will actually leave the Gym first ahead of PhD student #1. He will follow the path in green from Gym A and go around the front row of seats in the arena and be seated on the outside aisle of Row 2. Student #1 will follow him/his assistant and be seated in Row 1 of Section A.

38. Final Notes:
Doors open at 1:30 pm for graduates
Doors open at 2 pm for guests
Graduates: Arrive NO LATER than 2:15 pm
Students: if something comes up and you cannot attend, it’s not a problem. You don’t have to notify us.
College Park Center will implement a Clear Bag Policy beginning with the December 2019 ceremony. This includes guests. Notify your family about this new policy so they are aware.
No bags, purses or backpacks other than approved clear bags will be allowed into the building.

39. Final Notes:
If it is raining, the CPC will have cans to collect umbrellas at Gate 1. You will not be allowed to bring it into the building. You will have to circle back around the building to retrieve it after the ceremony.
In the event of SEVERE weather at the conclusion of the ceremony, we will not recess and no one will be allowed to leave the building until the threat has passed.
College Park Center Management will make this determination and the Dean will make an announcement to dismiss everyone. Students can make their way to their families in the guest seating areas to wait for the All Clear. Faculty may leave the stage. (This hasn’t happened yet, but Texas weather is very unpredictable!)

40. WAS MY DEGREE AWARDED?
At the end of the term, all of the UMAPs/GMAPs for students who applied for graduation will be evaluated.
Students who meet degree requirements will be sent an stating that their degree was awarded and will later receive their diploma via US mail at the Mailing Address listed in MyMav.
Students who do not meet degree requirements are sent an stating their application for graduation is denied and should see their advisor for assistance.
Students who are denied must reapply for graduation for a future term -- graduation fees and applications are non-refundable and non-transferrable.

41. QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
If you have questions about Graduation (finishing your degree plan and officially earning your degree), please contact your academic advisor.
If you experience difficulty accessing or submitting the Application for Graduation, contact the Graduation Helpdesk at or contact the following:
Undergraduate Programs: Harold Bryant, or
Graduate Programs: Mistie Maskil, or
If you have questions about Commencement (walking across the stage) and your question has not been addressed by this PowerPoint or the College of Engineering Commencement Website, please send an to

42. You’re on Your Way!
Stay in Touch: Let us know about your successes and we’ll celebrate with you.
Stay Involved: Join the Alumni Association to network, and keep up-to-date with us.
Share Your Experience: Talk about your alma mater with your friends and work colleagues.
Pay It Forward: Encourage young people to become interested in engineering, whether that’s at UTA or elsewhere. The world needs more of you!

43. CONGRATULATIONS!