College of Science Commencement: FAQs
- How do I RSVP for the ceremony?
Per the email invitation, go to http://cos.arizona.edu/reg/ and follow the instructions.
- Are there tickets? Is there a charge?
No tickets and no charge for guests. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- What departments/majors are behing honored at the College of Science Commencement?
The following majors participate: Astronomy, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computer Science, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Biology, Environmental Hydrology & Water Resources, Geosciences, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Physics, Psychology, Science Education, Speech Language & Hearing Sciences, Neuroscience, Engineering Physics, Engineering Math, Applied Biosciences/Industrial Physics/Mathematics, Atmospheric Sciences, Audiology, Hydrology, and Planetary Science.
- When do I need to show up to McKale if I’m graduating
The ceremony begins at 8:00 a.m., and you will need to check-in at the table on the floor of McKale to get your name card. So to be safe, try to arrive 40-30 minutes early to pick up your card. All graduates have assigned seating, so you do not have to worry about where you will sit!
- How do I know where to sit?
All graduates will be ushered to sit with their departments.
- How do we get up on stage to be recognized?
You will be seated in McKale by department. An usher will signal your department to line up at the right of the stage. You will line up undergraduates first, followed by Master’s students, followed by PhD’s. You will hand your card to one of the people seated at the laptop computer by the entrance to the stage. They will hand it back to you, and then you move forward and hand it to the name reader. Don’t worry—it’s very easy and goes very fast once you see it done the first time!
- When can I tell my family/friends to arrive at McKale?
A safe bet is to tell them around 7:00 a.m. As we have no idea yet as to how many students will actually attend commencement (we allow walk-ins), 1 hr to 45 minutes before the ceremony starts should be adequate.
- Where do I tell my family/friends to park for the ceremony?
The Cherry Avenue garage is closest to McKale, but any parking garage on campus will also work. Parking is free in the garages.
- What do I wear?
We encourage you to wear cap and gown, but you can also wear business dress. Order your cap and gown from the bookstore.
- How about confetti or silly string?
In consideration of the graduation ceremonies that will follow the College of Science, absolutely NO CONFETTI or Silly String of any kind will be permitted at the ceremony. Students that violate this rule will be asked to leave the ceremony.
- I saw a photographer taking photos during the ceremony; how can I order them?
When you RSVP’d, you let us know if you want to be contacted by the photographer or you can go to www.gradimages.com to order your prints.
- I’m a graduate student with a mentor who will be hooding me. How does that work?
We reserve seats near the stage for mentors, or they can choose to sit with you. When it is time for your department, your mentor will follow behind you up onto the stage and hood you.
- Who is the speaker?
Jessica Yu, an Oscar-winning filmmaker and Director of the documentary, “Last Call at the Oasis”, a shocking investigation into the world's water crisis. The film draws upon the work of scientists and activists including the real Erin Brockovich, and the producer's of “An Inconvenient Truth” and "Food, Inc.".
To view a trailer for the film, visit: http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/last-call-at-the-oasis/trailer.
- I need special accomodatations; who do I contact?
Contact Erin Deely at (520) 621-3374 or edeely@email.arizona.edu. The stage for commencement is wheelchair accessible.
For anyone needing assistance to and from the graduation ceremony, contact the UA Parking and Transportation Department, 626-7275 or at http://parking.arizona.edu.
Return to the Commencement home page
