Graduation
Commencement ceremonies for Spring 2008 graduates of the liberal arts and business schools will be held at the Lyric Opera House on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 4 p.m. Students can expect a detailed mailing with information to arrive on or about March 5th, 2008 which will share information about the academic garb order process and ceremony ticket pick-up. Please confirm, through your MyUB account, that your home mailing address is correct so that information is sure to get to you.
Class Rings
Josten's will again be on campus to talk to you about your class ring and take orders: April 23rd, 2:00 - 7:00 pm outside the university bookstore in the student center.
Photographers
Graduation Portraits -- A photographer will be available to take seated portraits. Should you pose for a portrait, a proof will be sent to you within three weeks. At that time, you can decide whether or not to purchase a portrait package. Portrait photographers will be on campus on the following dates (location to be announced):
Thursday, May 8th: 3:00 - 7:00 pm
Tuesday, May 13th: 3:00 - 7:00 pm
Wednesday, May 14th: 3:00 - 7:00 pm
Day of the ceremony beginning at 1:00 pm
The photographers will also be taking your picture as your cross the stage to accept your diploma and as you exit the stage. Let's see all those big smiles!!
Requirements
- Application for Graduation -- You must apply for graduation by the end of the first week of classes if you plan to graduate. There is a fee of $30 for undergraduate graduation; $40 for graduate. A late fee of $10 is applied after the filing deadline.
Fill out the graduation application (29k pdf) and turn it in to the Business Office - Ordering Academic Garb -- If you plan to attend the ceremony, you must either order academic garb from the University Bookstore (410.837.5604), or notify the staff of the Student Center Information Desk(410.837.5417) that you will be bringing your own. If the bookstore doesn't receive your order and you don't notify the Information Desk staff, we will assume you don't plan to attend the ceremony. The deadline to order garb is Friday, March 28th. .
- Bachelors garb (robe, cap and tassel) will cost $29.98
- Masters garb (robe, hood, cap and tassel) will cost $69.98
- Doctoral garb (robe, cap, and tassel) will need to be purchased. Prices are available at the Bookstore. The University will provide your hood.
- You may order individual parts of each set. This garb will be yours to keep.
- Tickets -- Everyone entering the theater will be required to have a ticket, including children. We encourage you to not to bring babies or very young children to the ceremony. It is very crowded and the situation can be difficult for youngsters. This often results in crying and cranky children disrupting others, your guests, and taking attention away from the graduates. Tickets will be distributed from March 10th - April 18th. You may pick up your tickets and announcements at the Information Desk on the first floor of the Student Center Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., Friday, 9 am - 4:30 p.m. or Saturday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Please bring either or school ID or driver's license with you. Those students living out of state or for whom these hours are not convenient should call 410.837.4755 to have your tickets mailed. A maximum of five tickets will be given to each graduate who has ordered garb or made arrangements with the staff of the Information Desk. You must pick up or arrange to have your tickets mailed by April 18th! Ticket availability is not guaranteed after this date. Additional tickets MAY be available after April 22nd and, if available, must be picked up by May 7th. More information about this process will be included in your mailing.
General Information
- Diplomas -- Graduates will be notified in writing when diplomas are available, usually within four weeks grades are due from faculty members. You'll need to pick up your diploma in person; it cannot be given to a third party or mailed to you unless we have signed authorization. Be sure to submit a change of address form (29k pdf) to the Records Office if your address changes after graduation. For specific information about diplomas contact records at 410.837.4825.
- Special Accommodations -- Special arrangements will be made for physically disabled graduates or guests upon request. Please contact Kathleen Anderson at 410.837.5429 no later than May 16th.
- Parking - Parking will be available in the Maryland Avenue garage and the Bolton Yard lot. Additional parking will also be available in the Maryland College Institute of Art parking lot across from the lyric. No special parking passes are needed. Disabled Parking is available along Mt. Royal Ave. in front of the Lyric, and on Mt. Royal Ave. between Charles St. and Maryland Ave. Click here for a campus map.
- Failure to Complete Degree Requirements -- If you are not approved by your department or if you withdraw from any required course this semester, you name will be deleted from the graduation candidate list and you will not be able to participate in this ceremony. You will be required to file another application for graduation during the semester in which you plan to complete all degree requirements.
Services
- Employer Notification -- If you want a letter of notification sent to your employer, complete the graduation notification form (22k pdf) from the Records Office. Letters will be mailed after your degree is posted, usually within 60 days after classes end. A letter cannot be sent for any student who has an outstanding balance with the Business Office.
- Personalized Announcements -- The free graduation announcements offered are general announcements regarding the ceremony. If you would like to have personalized announcements, they can be purchased through the Bookstore. The deadline for ordering personalized announcements is Friday, March 28th.
- Certificates of Appreciation -- These certificates are available when you pick up your ceremony tickets. They are a simple thank you that many graduates have given to spouses, parents, or others who have helped them through school.
Detailed information will be sent to you directly from the photgrapher. In addition, the photographerwill be taking photos of each graduate as they accept their diploma. As with portraits, a proof will be sent to each graduate after the ceremony.
- Commencement Flowers and T-Shirts--Flowers and Commencement T-Shirts, with all the graduates' names on the back, will be available for purchase on site at graduation. To preorder, click here.
Questions? Contact the Office of Student Affairs at 410/837-4755 or at kanderson@ubalt.edu Bookstore questions? Call 410/837-5604