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Sharing #UTampaGrad Commencement
From the last few weeks on campus to the virtual celebration, follow graduates as they share their commencement experience on social media.
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
The December commencement ceremony will be held at the Martinez Athletic Center on the University of Tampa campus on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.
- Graduating students from the College of Arts and Letters and the Sykes College of Business will be recognized at a ceremony at 9:30 a.m.
- Graduating students from the College of Natural and Health Sciences and the College of Social Sciences, Mathematics and Education will be recognized at a ceremony at 1 p.m.
If you have any questions regarding the changes for this ceremony, please see the bottom of this page for the December 2024 Commencement Frequently Asked Questions.
You can also email the Office of Orientation and Family Engagement at commencement@ut.edu or call us at (813) 257-1999 with any questions you may have.
Student Step-by-Step Process:
Students, please follow this step-by-step guide to ensure you are set to graduate on time and/or participate in the commencement ceremony.
Step 1: Apply to graduate on Workday.
Log into your MyUTampa and use the Workday widget to apply to graduate and have your degree conferred. Please note, in order to graduate from UT you must complete this step, even if it is past the deadline.
The deadline to include your name in the physical program was Oct. 26.
You still MUST complete this step to officially graduate from the university and receive your diploma.
Step 2: Apply to attend the ceremony through the Commencement
Within this separate application from step one, you will provide the Office of Orientation and Family Engagement information relevant to your commencement ceremony experience. This information includes the phonetic spelling of your name to be red, accessibility accommodations for you or any of your guests, etc.
Apply to participate in the Commencement Ceremony
Step 3: Pick up your cap and gown from the University bookstore before December 12th.
Visit the bookstore for cap, gown and honor cord pick-up before the ceremony at the University bookstore during their normal business hours.
Please note, academic regalia will not be available for on-site pick up at the commencement ceremony and must be obtained prior to Dec. 13.
Family and Guests
Tickets are not required for family members and guests to attend the ceremony. However, due to space limitations and out of respect to other graduates, we ask that graduates limit their guests to 8 total.
The doors will open one hour prior to the ceremony. Guests must be seated before the processional. No one can be seated during the processional.
Accessible seating is available for family members and guests who may require this accomodation. Please note, to accomodate all those in need, guests needing accessible seating may only have one companion sit with them during the ceremony.
Students can indicate their guests need for accessible seating in their commencement application, or by emailing Commencement@ut.edu.
Guest and Graduate Parking
Graduates and their guests should park in the West Parking Garage on North Boulevard. If full, people will be directed to the Delaware or the Thomas garages. Please follow instructions from UTampa Campus Safety Officers and Tampa Police Department who will be on campus helping direct the flow of traffic, and there will be signage out to direct guests to the appropriate garages and parking areas.
Graduates and guests do not need a parking pass to park in designated parking areas on the day of commencement.
ADA parking will be available on the first floor of the West Parking Garage, which is immediately next door to the Martinez Athletics Center.
Graduate Check-In
Graduate check-in will take place in the Sword and Shield room in the Martinez Athletics Center, starting at 8 a.m. for the morning ceremony and 11:30 a.m. for the afternoon ceremony. This room is immediately to the left upon entry, and there will be signage.
Graduates should plan to arrive at check-in an hour prior to the ceremony. Graduates are required to check-in for the ceremony wearing their cap, gown, and hoods no later than 25 minutes prior to the ceremony beginning.
It will take approximately 10 minutes to pick-up your “reader name” card, receive brief instructions and line up for pre-seating. Pre-seating ends 15 minutes prior to the start of ceremony. Graduates who arrive after this will be delayed in being sat until after the National Anthem is sung.
Graduates should plan in ample time for parking and going through security.
Commencement Etiquette
The Commencement ceremony is a celebration of more than 300+ graduates. Each graduate deserves the same recognition and honor from those in attendance. Please make post-commencement plans with the understanding that graduates and guests are expected to attend the ceremony in its entirety. The ceremony should last approximately 90 minutes.
Safety of graduates and guests is the top priority. Please see the list of permitted and prohibited items for the commencement ceremony.
Hotel Information
Hilton Tampa Downtown Channel District
Reservations can be made online here. The rate is available for multiple room types and amenities include complimentary hot breakfast, WiFi, outdoor pool, fitness center and business center. Additionally, the hotel is pet-friendly. Self-parking is available at $30 per night.
Home2 Suites by Hilton Tampa Downtown Channel District
Reservations can be made online here. The rate is available for multiple room types and amenities include complimentary hot breakfast, WiFi, outdoor pool, fitness center and business center. Additionally, the hotel is pet-friendly. Self-parking is $30 per night.
Courtyard by Marriott Tampa Downtown
Reservations can be made online here. The rate is available for multiple room types, and amenities include WiFi, outdoor pool and terrace and fitness center. Valet parking is available at $40 per night.
Residence Inn Tampa Downtown
Reservations can be made online here. The rate is available for multiple room types, and amenities include complimentary hot breakfast, WiFi, outdoor pool and fitness center. Additionally, the hotel is pet-friendly. Self-parking is available at $25 per night.
Travel Information
Tampa International Airport (airport code TPA) is served by most major airlines and is consistently ranked as one of the top airports in the nation.
- All graduates were supposed to graduate at 9:30 a.m., why are there two ceremonies?
Since 2017, the University of Tampa has hosted commencement ceremonies at the Expo Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds. This location allowed us to seat up to approximately 7,800 guests and 1,100 graduates for one ceremony. However, this location sustained significant damage during Hurricane Milton and is not usable for the December 2024 commencement ceremony.
The Martinez Athletics Center can seat 3,432 guests in the stands and approximately 700 chairs on the floor to include graduates, faculty, and ADA seating. The graduate class was split by colleges into two ceremonies to allow graduates to celebrate with their families and guests at this event.
- How do I know which ceremony to attend?
Students can access the list of degree programs and corresponding colleges to find which commencement ceremony they will participate in.
- What if I am graduating with two majors that are not in the same ceremony?
If you are graduating with two majors being honored at different ceremonies, you may elect to attend the ceremony of your choice. You should indicate your choice on your Commencement application.
- Can I postpone participating in Commencement until May?
The University of Tampa’s policy regarding commencement states that if students are going to participate in commencement, they must do so in the term which they complete their final coursework.
While a change to the time of ceremony is not ideal, we are not able to accommodate graduates postponing to May due to the already limited space capacity for May commencement ceremonies.
The full university policy for commencement can be found in the 2024-2025 university catalog.
- I have a friend participating in a ceremony different from mine. Am I allowed to switch the ceremony that I participate in?
No. Due to space limitations, students are only permitted to participate in the college ceremony where their major is housed.
- Do my family members and guests need tickets to attend?
Tickets are not required for family members and guests to attend either ceremony. However, due to space limitations and out of respect for all other graduates, we ask that you limit your guests to eight total.
- What time should my family and guests arrive? Is there assigned seating?
The doors will open one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. Your families and friends must be seated before the processional. No one can be seated during the processional. Please let your guests know this in advance. Seats cannot be reserved for other guests and seats are available on a first-come basis.
- Is accessible seating available?
Accessible seating is available for family members and guests who may require this accommodation. Please note, to accommodate all those in need, family members and guests who need accessible seating may only have one companion sit with them during the ceremony in both the section on the floor (no stairs) and the lower stadium seating (one to two steps).
Please seek a University of Tampa Diplomat (red jacket) upon arrival to be directed to the accessible seating sections.
- When will details regarding arrival and parking be available?
Graduates should plan to arrive at check-in an hour prior to the ceremony. Graduates are required to check-in for the ceremony wearing their cap, gown, and hoods no later than 25 minutes prior to the ceremony beginning.
It will take approximately 10 minutes to pick-up your “reader name” card, receive brief instructions and line up for pre-seating.
Check-in location and parking information will be sent to all registered commencement participants by Nov. 18 through weekly commencement emails. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this change of location.
- Will the May 2025 commencement ceremonies still be held at the Florida State Fairgrounds?
The commencement planning team is in communication with the Florida State Fairgrounds staff in regards to the Expo Hall repair timeline. An announcement regarding the May 2025 commencement venue and any updates to ceremony times will be made by Feb. 4, 2025. In the meantime, the University administration and commencement team are actively exploring options to ensure an outstanding experience for graduates, families, guests and the campus community.
Commencement is a special time for our graduates, their families, friends and The University of Tampa community. For your Commencement Day to be perfect, please review the frequently asked questions on the Commencement FAQ web page.
For additional information regarding commencement, email the Office of Orientation and Family Engagement at commencement@ut.edu.
