Commencement Ceremony

Fall 2023 Commencement Ceremony

Commencement is the public ceremony held to recognize and celebrate students’ achievements. Participation is voluntary. UNT Dallas conducts commencement exercises twice each year in May and December. Students may only participate in one commencement exercise per academic career (i.e., undergraduate and graduate levels).

To participate in the commencement ceremony, you must apply to graduate by the graduation application deadline (see Academic Calendar). The graduation application will be made available via your my.untdallas.edu student portal at the start of the academic term. Students who apply to graduate must also RSVP to the commencement ceremony for participation. Please note walking in the commencement ceremony does not indicate you have graduated with your degree.

Ceremony Start Times by School

11:00 a.m. - School of Business and School of Education

• Graduates arrive no later than: 10 a.m.
• Guests arrive by: 10:30 a.m.
• VIP and Faculty arrive by: 10:15 a.m.

3:00 p.m. - School of Behavioral Health and Human Services and School of Liberal Arts and Sciences

• Graduates arrive no later than: 2 p.m.
• Guests arrive by: 2:30 p.m.
• VIP and Faculty arrive by: 2:15 p.m.

Commencement Details and Regulations

Commencement Information

Commencement communications will be sent to your UNT Dallas email address. 

• The first email will be sent starting after the week of the graduation application deadline. The email will consist of: the date, time, and location of the commencement ceremony, RSVP link, cap and gown link with instructions, and student speaker application.
• The second email will be sent after the RSVP deadline. The email will consist of: date, time, and location of the commencement ceremony, specific information for graduates and guest, parking information, special accommodations, and safety protocols for the ceremony.
  • Please read all of the content in the emails to help you properly prepare for the commencement ceremony.

Graduate Staging Process

Graduates will line-up by:

• Degree - Master's then Bachelor's candidates
• School
  • 11 a.m.: School of Business followed by the School of Education
  • 3 p.m.: School of Behavioral Health and Human Services followed by School of Liberal Arts & Sciences
• Graduates numbered according to first letter in last name

Decoration Restrictions

We encourage our students to showcase their individuality by decorating their cap and look forward to seeing the designs at Commencement! Glitter and sequins are prohibited on graduation caps. A UNT Dallas representative will confiscate any cap with these materials prior to the start of the ceremony.

Commencement Exercise

• Graduates will enter Graduate Staging area
• Checked for items prohibited by the venue
• RSVP card will be issued by Faculty Marshal for graduate line-up
• Line-up in order noted in graduate staging process above 
• Process on the floor at the start of commencement
• Follow cues from speakers at center podium
• Enter stage, retrieve diploma cover from the Provost, take a photo with the President
• Proceed to Flash Photography station to take second photo then exit stage
• Return to seat until conclusion of ceremony. Graduates are not allowed to leave until the conclusion of the ceremony and will be asked to remain seated.
• After closing remarks, recess out of the venue where you will meet your guests
• All graduates and guests will be asked to safely exit the premises at the conclusion of the ceremony. Re-entering the venue will not be permitted.

Venue’s Rules and Regulations

No Re-Entry Policy

Texas Trust CU Theatre at Grand Prairie has a "no re-entry" policy during events. Guests who wish to return a prohibited item to their vehicle or need to exit and re-enter due to personal emergencies, must first make contact with a Guest Services supervisor or manager via the Guest Service Center to make necessary arrangements.

Graduates

• Graduates will not be allowed to carry items across stage
• Storage is not available for graduates personal belongings
• Leave personal items in your vehicle or with guests

Guest

Guests are encouraged to limit the number of items they bring with them to the venue and celebrate their students with applause, cheers, and smiles. Guests will be stopped at the entry and asked to return prohibited items to their vehicle prior to entry. See No Re-Entry policy for instructions above.

The following is a partial list of items that are prohibited at all Texas Trust CU Theatre at Grand Prairie events. Please click here for specific policies/information.

• Weapons
• Outside Food and Beverage
• Cameras: Flash/Professional Photography
• Recording Devices
• Bags: Backpacks, Large Bags, Suitcases
• Signs/Flags/Banners/Posters/Pamphlets
• Tripods/Monopods, Laser Pointers, Alcohol, Drugs, Noise Making Devices, Fireworks, Flashlights, Skateboards/ Rollerblades, Beach Balls, Cans or Bottles.

Lost and Found

Texas Trust CU Theatre at Grand Prairie management assumes no responsibility for items lost at events. All lost and found items are to taken to the Guest Service Center during events. Guests should visit the Guest Service Center near the main lobby during the event to inquire about lost items. After the conclusion of the event, if the lost item is not retrieved, Guests may contact Texas Trust CU Theatre at Grand Prairie at (972) 854-5050 to inquire about the lost item.

Commencement Regalia

Caps and gowns must be ordered by Jostens due to the customization of the gown. The UNT Dallas Jostens cap and gown link will be shared with graduating candidates in the commencement ceremony email sent after the graduation application deadline (see Academic Calendar).

Extra regalia will not be available to borrow for the ceremony.

             Baccalaureate Regalia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost: $50.00
UNT Dallas blue gown
UNT Dallas blue mortarboard
UNT Dallas tassel

                   Master’s Regalia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost: $130.00
UNT Dallas black gown with custom border
UNT Dallas black mortarboard and tassel
UNT Dallas hood

Hood trim colors:

• Business: Drab
• Counseling: Light Blue
• Criminal Justice: Purple
• Education: Light Blue
• Public Leadership: Peacock

Instructions for ordering:

• Visit the UNT Dallas Jostens website in the commencement communication sent after the graduation application deadline.
• Click on the Graduation Caps and Gowns link on the right side of the page.
• Select Student Dallas Masters or Student Dallas Undergrads from the dropdown menu.
• Click on the image for Masters Cap, Gown, Hood, Tassel w/School Custom Charm option or Bachelors Cap, Gown, Tassel w/School Custom Charm.
• Enter your height and weight and click “Add to Cart.”
• (Masters candidates only) Indicate your major.
• Enter your name in the Recipient First Name and Recipient Last Name boxes.
• Click Checkout and follow the steps to complete the payment and delivery instructions process. 
• We recommend that you iron your gown upon delivery so that you look your best for photos.

Note: If you are unable to attend a commencement/graduation event for any reason, purchases may not be refundable. 

Attire Under Regalia

• Attire under your regalia must be business causal. The UNT Dallas commencement gown must be worn over your attire prior to your arrival.
  • Please wear sensible shoes. There will be a lot of walking and standing in the venue.
• Regalia must be fully zipped up prior to processing on to the floor.
• Tassels should be on the right side of your cap. Instructions will be provided during the ceremony to transition your tassel to the left.
• If you are an honors recipient, an email will be sent to your UNT Dallas email address after mid-term grades post with instructions on how to purchase your honor cord. Your cord may be worn during the ceremony.
• If you participated in a student organization, please contact your organization directly to inquiry about graduation medals, cords, stoles, and embellishments.
  • Visit the Cords, Stoles, and Embellishments page for more information. 

Summer Graduates

If you plan to walk early in the Spring commencement ceremony, you must apply to graduate by the graduation application deadline (see Academic Calendar). You may request to walk only if you are within 6-8 credits of degree completion. Your academic advisor must send an approval notice to Graduation@untdallas.edu in order for you to participate in the ceremony.

If you graduated in the Summer term and would like to walk in the Fall commencement ceremony, you must send a request to Graduation@untdallas.edu by the RSVP deadline (see deadline above) of the term you plan to walk. Students academic records will be checked to ensure the student graduated the summer prior to the fall term. A confirmation email will then be sent to the student confirming approval to walk in the ceremony. Please note we are unable to accept RSVP request after the deadline due to logistical planning requirements by our vendors.

Special Assistance/Accommodations

• Handicap parking is available for graduates and guests who need special accommodations. A current handicap parking decal is required to park in the designated handicap parking areas.
• There are ramps accessible throughout the venue and at the entrance and exit of the stage for our graduates.
• For special accommodation seating, please go to the main lobby of the venue. 
• Ushers will be ready to assist graduates and guests in need of special assistance.

Additional Information

• Tickets are not required to attend the ceremony.
• A commencement communication will be sent to your UNT Dallas email address only. The email will include the RSVP link and instructions to order your regalia with a hard deadline. Caps and gowns may not be ordered after the deadline as the order will not be delivered to your residence in time for the ceremony. Commencement emails will be sent starting the week after the graduation application deadline.
• RSVP is required to participate. Due to logistical planning requirements, we are unable to take any RSVP requests past the deadline.

For questions, contact the Graduation Team at Graduation@untdallas.edu.