Information and Expectations for Students

Friday, December 18, 2026

Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena

Undergraduate Ceremony

10:00 a.m.

Ceremony starts at 10 a.m.
Graduates should arrive by 9 a.m.
Doors open for guests at 9 a.m.

Graduate Ceremony

3:00 p.m.

Ceremony starts at 3 p.m.

Graduates should arrive by 2 p.m.
Doors open for guests at 2 p.m.

Pre-Ceremony Checklist

Are you ready for Winter Commencement ’26? Double check here…

  1. Apply for graduation with the UMBC Registrar by September 15.
  2. While you have successfully applied to graduate, you must still register to participate in the ceremony. Register to walk at commencement by 11:55pm EST on Tuesday, November 17. Check your UMBC inbox email for a registration link.
  3. Order your regalia via the UMBC Bookstore by November 21 to avoid expedited fees. Students are required to wear caps, gowns, and tassels when participating in-person.
  4. On November 20, you will receive a logistical email with final ceremony details, your graduation passes and guest tickets (undergraduate ceremonies only).
  5. Print your GradPass. Log into Tassel using your campus ID email.
  6. Undergraduates, claim your guest tickets via Tassel. We anticipate releasing 5 guest tickets per undergraduate, releasing as many per student as space allows. Graduate Ceremony will not require tickets.
  7. Review emails from the planning team with logistical information.
  8. Arrive at the ceremony in your regalia.

Ceremony Location and Parking

Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena: Directions and Parking Information

  • Parking is free and available across campus.
  • Shuttles will be available to take guests to and from the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena from the following lots. (You can also find where the shuttle is using the shuttle tracker.)
  • Limited handicap parking spaces are available directly in front of the arena (permits required)

Arrival Information for Graduates

  • Graduates must arrive one hour prior to their ceremony start time. Graduates arriving late may not be able to join the procession of students and may not be seated with their major. You must be on time. Plan for heavy traffic on campus.
  • Follow posted signs to the graduate entrance. Graduates will enter using the lower level doors by the Auxiliary Gym entrance. This entrance is to your right when you are standing in front of the arena.

You MUST bring:

  • GradPass printed from Tassel (log into Tassel using your campus ID email to print your GradPass).
  • Regalia. It is best to be wearing it when you arrive as there is no robing area. For more information on regalia, visit our UMBC Regalia page.
  • Do not bring personal items into the arena with you. Once you cross the stage you may not return to your original seat and there is no secure area for you to leave your belongings.

Ceremony Logistics and Expectations

  • Once you arrive, volunteers will direct you to the area in which you will line up. Lineup order will be by school, program and alphabetical by last name.
  • When it is time to walk across the stage, volunteers will direct you. Make sure you have your GradPass out and ready to go before you leave your seat.
  • For safety and to maintain the dignity and solemnity of the ceremony, graduates are prohibited from carrying props, signage, flags, noisemakers, accessories, or any other objects, or engaging in any actions deemed dangerous or disruptive to the fan experience during the processional or while crossing the stage.
  • In order to keep the ceremony moving, please proceed across the stage when and as directed by a staff member. You will have a chance to shake hands with campus leaders but please keep moving as you do (i.e. please do not stop to take a selfie).
  • After you return to your seat, remain in your seat until the end of the ceremony and the procession of the Platform Party. All graduates will remain in their seats until the Platform Party has left

Tickets

The Undergraduate Ceremony requires all guests over age two to have a ticket to enter the arena. The Graduate School ceremony does not require guests to have tickets. All graduates will be allotted the same number of tickets. At this time, we anticipate each student will receive 5 tickets. The exact number of tickets will be determined and released on November 20.

Graduates are responsible for claiming and distributing their own guest tickets via Tassel. Instructions on how to do this will be emailed to the graduate’s UMBC email on November 20. We are unable to accommodate requests for additional tickets.

Livestream & Photography

The ceremony will be streamed live for those who cannot attend in person. You can find the link to stream the ceremony the day of Commencement on our Homepage. The recording will be stored on the UMBC YouTube page after the event.

After the conclusion of Commencement ’26, individual student portraits will be available for purchase via ProPics.

Diplomas

Undergraduate diplomas are not distributed at the commencement ceremony. Students can expect to receive their diploma at their mailing address 4 to 6 weeks after their degree has been conferred.

Ph.D. and M.F.A. candidates’ diplomas will be mailed to the address listed on your Diploma Application after your degree is conferred on December 18, 2026. Master’s degree candidates’ diplomas will be mailed to the address listed on your Diploma Application approximately 8 weeks after the December 18, 2026 conferral date. Expect diplomas to be delivered toward the beginning of February.

Student Information and Privacy Concerns

  • Participation in UMBC’s Commencement ceremonies is voluntary as the Commencement is intended to be a community celebration of the successes of UMBC’s students. Participation in a Commencement ceremony is voluntary and does not affect the student’s graduation status or granting of their degree. All students that apply for and are approved to graduate will have their name, department, and degree published in the Commencement program book. Students who do not wish to have their name published must request this no later than November 25. Email commencement@umbc.edu to submit this request.
  • Students who register to participate in a Commencement ceremony will have their name, image, department, and major displayed at this public event. It will be displayed onscreen at the event, and during the video livestream of the event. In addition, UMBC will use photographs and video from this public celebration in official University publications and websites. The University owns and retains the right to crop or alter the photograph and video at its sole discretion.
  • Participation in the commencement ceremony requires the use of Tassel, the graduation ceremony software solution industry leader. UMBC provides Tassel with graduating students’ Directory Information necessary to provide essential services for graduates and families. This includes Student name, College, Dept, and Degree. We also provide Student ID, Email and Mobile phone (if it is a part of their UMBC account) allowing the graduate to create an account to gain access to graduation photographs, submit their name pronunciation, and to be registered with the Commencement chatbot. Any additional information requested by Tassel is optional. The University only shares Directory Information and information that is necessary for Tassel to perform this service that UMBC has outsourced. Likewise, your mobile phone number will only be used for event communication and emergency purposes and not for any other purposes.

If you have questions, please email commencement@umbc.edu.

Please note: UMBC’s Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena enforces a clear bag policy for all visitors.