:::Questions and Answers:::

When is Commencement?
Spring Commencement is June 13-14, 2008, with the main ceremony at 12:00 noon on June 14 in McArthur Court
Summer Commencement is August 16, 2008 at 10:00 am on the Memorial Quad

When and where are the spring departmental ceremonies?
Click here to receive information concerning the spring departmental ceremony times, locations and dates.
The departmental ceremonies and individual ceremonies are held at various on-campus locations and times beginning on Thursday, June 12 until Saturday, June 14. The majority of departmental ceremonies are held before (10:00 am) and after (3:00 pm) the Main Ceremony (12:00 pm). Please contact your individual department for details about those ceremonies.

How are you going to manage a 9:00 am (School of Journalism & Communication) AND a 3:00 pm Lundquist College of Business) ceremony in Mac Court in addition to the main ceremony at 12:00?
Well, we do have a plan. Graduates line up to enter Mac Court at the Northeast corner (see map, blue section) and friends and family enter through the South side of Mac Court (see map, pink section). For wheelchair access and entry without stairs, please use Door 5 of Mac Court on University Street.

Those 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.

Should I go to both the main ceremony as well as my departmental ceremony in the spring?
Absolutely! The main ceremony is designed to bring the entire graduating class and their family and friends together to participate in a university-wide formal event. The departmental ceremonies are of equal importance, especially since each graduate will be individually recognized.

What are the requirements for official participation in a University Commencement Ceremony?
The deadline to apply for graduation in Spring 2008 is April 27, 2008. The deadline to apply for graduation in Summer 2007 is July 20, 2008. This means that graduates' names will appear in the commencement program if they apply and are approved for graduation by these deadlines (please read below).

- Undergraduate Students
Students who plan to receive a bachelor's degree must file an on-line application via DuckWeb (http://duckweb.uoregon.edu/). In February 2002, the university's Undergraduate Council approved a motion stating that only students who will have met all degree requirements by the date of graduation are eligible to have their names listed in the commencement program and to be considered for departmental and university (i.e., Latin) honors. However, students who will not meet the requirements will not be excluded from attending the main university ceremony.

The Office of the Registrar will check student records for all bachelor's degree applicants during the term of graduation. If the total hours (hours completed plus hours currently registered for) do not total the number needed to complete the degree, the Registrar's Office will invalidate the degree application and remove the student's name from the official commencement program and consideration for university honors.

- Advanced Degrees
Graduate students planning to receive an advanced degree or graduate certificate must file an online application via the Graduate School web site (http://gradschool.uoregon.edu/?page=graduation) Students applying for a Doctor of Jurisprudence must file the following application with the Law School Registrar (http://registrar.uoregon.edu/pdfs/lawschoolapp.pdf)

For further information about applying for graduation, please click here (http://registrar.uoregon.edu/currentstudents/applyforgrad.htm)

Can I rent a cap and gown, and where do I get it?
Bachelor's candidates cannot rent a cap and gown, but all regalia can be purchased at the UO Duck Store (call with questions: 541-346-4331). Announcements and regalia (including honor chords for students graduating with honors) are available at the Information Center on the main floor of the UO Duck Store. There is no deadline for the bachelor's candidates to place a regalia order, but Ph.D. and master's candidates need to place an order for rental or purchase for Spring Commencement by Monday, June 9, 2008. Prices for the entire package (including the diploma cover) are:

2008 Prices
Bachelor's candidates - $59 (purchase price)
Master's candidates - $79 (gown rental fee, purchase hood, cap, tassel)
Doctoral candidates - $89 (gown rental fee, purchase hood, cap, tassel)

You may return rented regalia to the UO Duckstore on Saturday, June 14 from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Summer you may return rented regalia to the UO Duckstore on Saturday, August 16 from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Flowers will be available for purchase at several locations for the spring ceremonies.

Do we need tickets for the commencement ceremony or departmental ceremonies? Tickets are not needed for the spring or summer main ceremony. For the main ceremony in the spring, all seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. McArthur Court will be open at 11:30 am. 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.

Will I receive commencement information in the mail?
You will receive a brochure with information and a registration card if you have your correct, current address on file with the registrar's office. The brochure will be sent approximately two to three months prior to the commencement ceremony.

What is the status of campus parking the day of Commencement?
Please see this link regarding traffic around Mac Court. (spring only)

Also click here to see a map of campus: Campus Map

Parking on campus will be tight, but we do provide free parking in certain areas of campus for the day of graduation. For the spring ceremonies, parking meters along campus will be hooded with green and yellow bags indicating free parking as a courtesy to you and your guests. Some campus lots will be available as well.

Also, on spring graduation day, information booths will be staffed for your convenience. These booths are stationed in four main campus locations: East 15th Avenue and University Street, East 15th Avenue and Agate Street, East 13th Avenue and University Street, and East 13th Avenue and Agate Street. Please direct your guests to these locations if they have any questions.

Where can I find a campus map?
Click on this link to see a map of campus

When will I actually receive my diploma?
Although degrees are conferred at Commencement, diplomas are not distributed at the time of the ceremony. They are mailed to the address given on the Application for Degree form ten to twelve weeks after graduation.

Health Concerns: UO Community Resources

If you become ill during Commencement exercises, the Eugene EMS and UO Department of Public Safety will be available on site for immediate assistance.

If you have health related concerns or questions, you can call the University of Oregon Health Center 's Community Advice line at 346-2770 or Eugene's local hospitals:
Sacred Heart Medical Center, 1255 Hilyard St., 686-7300
McKenzie-Willamette Hospital, 1460 G Street, Springfield, Oregon, 726-4400