FAQs
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 following frequently asked questions:
- What is the difference between graduation and commencement?
- Where and when is the commencement?
- I graduate in August or January. Which commencement can I attend?
- When can I pick up my cap and gown?
- What time do I need to arrive for commencement?
- What is pre-seating?
- When does pre-seating end?
- How long will the ceremony last?
- When will I receive my diploma?
- Do my family members and guests need tickets to attend?
- What time should my family and guests arrive? Is there assigned seating?
- Is accessible seating available?
- How will students be recognized?
- How will I know that the ceremony is over?
- What is the etiquette expected at the ceremony?
- What items may I as well as my family and guests bring to the ceremony?
- What are the driving directions to the Expo Hall, Florida State Fairgrounds?
- Where should my family and guests park?
- What if I, or one of my guests, need special accommodations?
- What if I have additional questions regarding the ceremony?
What is the difference between graduation and commencement?
Graduation is the completion of all degree requirements to be awarded your degree and receive your printed diploma. Commencement is the symbolic ceremony, at which your graduation is publicly acknowledged and celebrated. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not equate to graduating.
Where and when is the commencement?
The University of Tampa commencement ceremonies are held twice a year please refer to the May Commencement or December Commencement pages for specific ceremony dates and times.
Since 2017, the University of Tampa commencement ceremonies have been held at the Expo Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Unfortunately, during Hurricane Milton the Expo Hall was damaged, rendering it unusable for the December 2024 commencement ceremony.
The University administration has opted to bring the December commencement ceremony back to campus, and host it in the Martinez Athletics Center.
The commencement planning team is in communication with the Florida State Fairgrounds staff in regard 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.
I graduate in August or January. Which ceremony can I attend?
August graduation candidates are eligible to attend the May before or December after their degree is conferred and can select their preference.
January graduation candidates are eligible to attend the December before or the May after their degree is conferred and can select their preference.
Please see the Commencement Application for more information.
When can I pick up my cap and gown?
Regalia (cap and gown) are pre-ordered during the Grad Fair each fall and spring. They are then distributed from the University Bookstore starting typically 3 weeks prior to commencement ceremony.
To pick up regalia for themselves or another student, Spartan IDs are required.
If a student did not pre-order their cap and gown by the deadline, they will be served on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please note that sizing may be limited if a pre-order was not completed.
Please refer to the specific commencement page (December or May) for specific dates for pre-orders and pick-up.
Additionally, please try on your cap and gown as soon as you pick it up to make sure it fits before arriving to the fairgrounds for commencement.
What time do I need to arrive for commencement?
Graduates should plan to arrive to check in for the ceremony one hour prior to the start of their ceremony. Please refer to the specific commencement page (December or May) for dates and times.
Please allow plenty of time for arrival, parking, and going through security before entering the building. If you are in the second or third ceremony in May, there will be extra traffic at the fairgrounds when you arrive from the prior ceremony ending.
From there it will take about 15 minutes to pick up your “reader name” card properly and line-up for pre-seating. Please try on your cap and gown as soon as you pick it up to make sure it fits before arriving to the fairgrounds.
If you are not ready 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony, you will not be seated until after the singing of the National Anthem.
Throughout the check-in process, you must follow the instructions of the faculty marshals, staff and University of Tampa Diplomats who are organizing the event. Be patient and understanding.
*Please note that family members and guests are not permitted in the graduate check-in area.
Graduating candidates will be seated before the start of the processional. Candidates will be seated by faculty marshals after they have completed the check-in process and have received their reader card. If candidates would like to sit with a particular group of people, all individuals must be present at the same time to sit together. Once candidates have been seated, they must remain in their seats for the duration of the ceremony.
Pre-seating ends at 9:15 a.m. for the morning ceremony. After that time, we will hold seating graduates, to ensure the processional begins on time. Graduates who arrive after this time will be seated following the singing of the National Anthem.
How long will the ceremony last?
The ceremonies are expected to last approximately two hours or less.
When will I receive my diploma?
At the ceremony, you will receive your diploma cover. Your diploma will be mailed to you approximately six weeks after the end of the semester, once all grades have been received and the Registrar’s Office has conferred you have completed your degree requirements.
Please make sure to update your mailing address with the University via Workday to ensure you receive your diploma.
Do my family members and guests need tickets to attend?
Out of respect for all the other graduates wishing to celebrate their commencement with their families, we ask graduates to limit their commencement invitations to only eight family members and guests. Tickets are no required, and seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Seats cannot be reserved or saved for family members and guests. It is recommended that family members and guests should arrive early. Doors will open one hour prior to each ceremony.
What time should my family and guests arrive? Is there assigned seating?
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 Student (red jacket) upon arrival to be directed to the accessible seating sections.
What do I need to wear to commencement?
Graduating candidates are required to wear the University official traditional cap, gown and hood (if applicable). There will be no exceptions.
How will students be recognized?
Graduates will be recognized individually. The students will stand by row and be led up the aisle by the faculty marshals. They will proceed to the left side of the stage (from the audience vantage point), pick up their diploma cover and hand the card they were given to the reader for their name to be announced. Students will then walk across the stage as a photographer takes their picture with the University President. Students will then continue off the platform to the right for two more professional photos and return to their seats.
How will I know that the ceremony is over?
After the ceremony, University administrators and faculty will recess first out of the ceremony. After the faculty has recessed, you will exit to the outside. Once outside, there will be signs with “meeting zones” that have specific letters assigned to each. Please make prior arrangements on where you want to meet your family and guests outside the venue following the ceremony in one of the zones.
What is the etiquette expected at the ceremony?
All graduating students are required to remain seated throughout the ceremony. Please tell your family and friends that all guests must remain in their seats until the platform party, faculty and graduates have processed off the floor. Students and their families/friends should designate a meeting place outside before entering the building.
What items may I as well as my family and guests bring to the ceremony?
For the safety and security of all graduates and guests, please see below for permitted and prohibited items. Please note, that security has the right to inspect any item at any time based on safety. All graduates and guests will pass through security gates and a bag check upon entrance to the ceremony venue.
Prohibited items must immediately be returned to the owner’s vehicle or disposed of before entering the commencement venue. Failure to do so will result in being denied admittance to the ceremony.
Should individuals, including graduating students, display disruptive behavior or be found in possession of any of these items, they may be immediately removed from the venue and denied access from participating in the ceremony.
The commencement ceremony is an alcohol, tobacco and drug-free event.
Permitted Items:
- Purses and small bags with personal belongings
- Necessary medications
- Umbrellas
- Cameras and video recorders
- Strollers
- Service animals
Prohibited Items:
- Weapons
- Beverages of any kind – including alcoholic beverages
- Glass containers
- Backpacks
- Tobacco products of any kind
- Noisemakers
- Laser pointers
- Non-service animals
- Balloons
- Banners
- Signage
*Please note: While strollers are permitted into the commencement venue, guests must leave the strollers at the designated stroller check location. The University of Tampa is not responsible for strollers or any items left at the stroller check location.
What if I, or one of my guests, need special accommodations?
Graduates who need accommodations for the ceremony should indicate that when they apply for commencement, with their needs and contact information, so the commencement staff can make the necessary arrangements. The commencement office asks that you contact our office to make us aware of these needs as early as possible.
What if I have additional questions regarding the ceremony?
Please contact Orientation and Family Engagement at commencement@ut.edu or (813) 257-1999. Our office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. We are happy to help!
