Spring Commencement Information
Oregon Graduation Ceremonies are unique in that each department/school has a ceremony in addition to the main ceremony. At the department ceremony, graduate names are called and each person walks across the stage. The main ceremony is where you can hear the commencement speaker, remarks from the University President, and only doctoral candidates are recognized. Tickets are not required at any ceremony.
General Commencement Information
Parking
Parking on campus during Commencement is tight. Please direct your guests to the lots closest to your individual ceremony. Parking meters at the edges of the campus are labeled with stickers that offer free parking for the day. Many guests find it easy to take the LTD or EmX bus to campus to avoid parking.
PLEASE NOTE: University Street from 15th Avenue to 18th Avenue will be closed Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13.
UNIVERSAL DROP OFF POINT and GOLF CARTS- there will be a universal drop off point at the corner of 15th and University where people can drop off their guests. This is also where the bus loading and unloading zone is located on 15th. From this location, we will have golf carts to help run folks to their ceremony site. The golf carts are encouraged for use by persons needing assistance getting to a ceremony only.
ACCESS SHUTTLE- The Access Shuttle is a free shuttle service offered to faculty, staff, students, and visitors with permanent or temporary conditions that limit mobility, and will be running for graduation. The Access Shuttle can be requested once you are parked by calling (541) 852-2561.
Information Booths- On Commencement Day, information booths will be staffed at convenient locations on campus. For your guests' convenience, tour maps of the UO campus will be available at the information desk on the first floor of Oregon Hall until 5:00 P.M. on Friday, June 12. On Saturday, please ask for maps at the Erb Memorial Union scheduling and information desk, east concourse, or at one of the outdoor information booths.
Graduation Application
Undergraduates must apply for graduation through the Registrar's office by April 26, 2009 for their name to appear in the spring Commencement Program. Students may walk in the main ceremony even if they do not complete their graduation requirements; however, their name will not appear in the program until all requirements are met and they have applied for graduation and been accepted through the Registrar's Office. Questions should be directed to the Registrar's Office.
Diplomas
Although degrees are conferred at Commencement, please remember that diplomas are not handed out at the time of the ceremony. They are mailed to the address given on the Application for Degree form approximately six weeks after graduation.
Departmental Ceremony Information
Departmental ceremonies are held over the course of graduation week in various locations across campus. Please see the department ceremony schedule posted below for specific information. In case of rain, all other ceremonies are held indoors, and the switch to rain locations is announced on local radio and TV stations beginning at 6:00 A.M. on Saturday.
Departmental Commencement Websites
Main Ceremony Information
The main ceremony is at 12:00 P.M. on Saturday, June 13, 2009, in McArthur Court. It ends about 2:00 P.M. Doors open at 11:30 A.M.
Graduates line up to enter Mac Court at the Northeast corner (see map, blue section).
Friends and family enter through the South side of Mac Court (see map, pink section). Wheelchair access and entry without stairs into Mac Court is available at Door 5 on University Street.
Graduates and friends/family leaving a cermony in Mac Court will exit through the west side of the court (see map, green section) and move to the EMU lawn (across University Street, green section) to be with their graduates.
Seating
All seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors to McArthur Court will open at 11:30 A.M. Wheelchair seating is available on the east side of McArthur Court and accessed through Door 5 on University Street. Optimal seating for guests using sign language interpretation is located on the west side of the platform. For views of seating in Mac Court, please see diagram. If accommodations are needed for a department ceremony, please contact the appropriate department.
Assembly
Candidates should assemble at the south end of the Covered Tennis Courts no later than noon. Graduates should assemble by college or school and, for the College of Arts and Sciences, by department.
Doctoral Candidates
A card with your name and your adviser's name will be handed out in the assembly area. Please make certain you have a card before the procession begins.
Recession
Guests can meet graduates on the South Lawn of the EMU, across the street from Mac Court. (A departmental ceremony will be taking place right after the main ceremony at Mac Court.)
Special Notes
Please remember that alcoholic beverages detract from the dignity of the ceremony. They are not allowed in McArthur Court or at any of the department, school, or college ceremonies.
You may return rented regalia to the UO Duck Store on Saturday, June 13 from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Flowers will be available for purchase at several locations.
For more information, call (541) 346-3216 or visit the Office of Student Life in 164 Oregon Hall.
CONGRATULATIONS!