Overview | Approval Process | Commencement Checklist
Students & Guests | Directions | FAQ
Commencement is a celebration, a culmination of years of work towards your degree. There are several steps to complete before you can participate in Commencement. The following Commencement Checklist will help you ensure you meet the requirements and deadlines.
Step 1: Eligibility Deadlines
If you are receiving a degree and wish to participate in Commencement, you need to complete the appropriate paperwork on time. Refer to the Approval Process to see how to apply for graduation online. Please note that there is a difference between filing for graduation and completing the online Commencement RSVP Form.
Please refer to the University of Houston Academic Calendar for graduation application deadlines.
Step 2: Update your personal information in PeopleSoft
Review your personal information in PeopleSoft at MyUH, to assure that your address, phone and email are updated.
Step 3: Ed. D. and Ph. D. Candidates- Confirm your Dissertation Chair Attendance
If you are an Ed. D. or Ph. D. candidate, you will be hooded on the stage by your dissertation chair. Please contact them to let them know that you plan to walk and confirm that they will be there to hood you. If your chair cannot attend, you may ask another member of your dissertation committee to hood you.
Step 4: Order your Cap and Gown, etc.
All graduates participating in the Commencement ceremony must wear academic regalia. If you have not done so already, you should make arrangements with the Bookstore in the University Center. Please plan to attend the Graduation Fair where representatives from Herff Jones will be available to assist you to order a cap, gown, and hood, as well as announcements and invitations, UH rings, and diploma frames. Information about joining the Houston Alumni Organization will also be available.
- Students may also order caps, gowns, hoods, and announcements online at http://bncollege.com.
- Please refer to the Graduation Fair information for important dates.
If you have any questions regarding these items, please call the bookstore directly at (713) 748-0923 or check out their website at http://bncollege.com. Remember, you are responsible for picking up and dropping off your rented cap and gown. The bookstore will have drop-off stations for rentals on the concourse of Hofheinz Pavilion and in Yeoman Field House after our ceremony.
Step 5: Confirm your intent to participate in Commencement
Not all students who graduate choose to walk in the Commencement ceremony. All eligible students who plan to attend must complete the Commencement RSVP Form. At the time that you do this, you will be able to let us know how you wish to have your name read at the ceremony.
Filing for graduation does not equate to signing up to participate in the commencement ceremony. Please file for graduation through MyUH (PeopleSoft) and fill out the Commencement RSVP Form.
Students with DisABILITIES
Students needing any additional services or who have special requests must notify the Center for Students with DisABILITIES (CSD) at least 2 WEEKS prior to their scheduled commencement ceremony. Please contact the Center for Students with DisABILITIES (CSD) for any additional assistance and/or specific questions you may have. You may also reach the center at (713) 743-5400.
Students who are mobility impaired will need to contact the Commencement Coordinator, Sophia Flot-Warner no later than April 9, 2011 for any additional assistance or requests.
Step 6: Attend Commencement
Graduating students should arrive at the Athletics/Alumni Center to assemble and line up for the procession to Hofheinz Pavilion. Please enter doors on Cullen Blvd. Please refer to the Graduation Details on the right column of this page for ceremony and arrival times.
Line up
You will line up with the other students in your program (by degree and by department offering the degree). Look for the sign for your group when you arrive at the Field House. Please refer to the Department and Degree Line Up List.
Get Your Card/Stay in Line
- When you find your degree and department group, you will line up alphabetically.
- You will be given a card with your name, degree, and any honors on it – and a number will be put in the top left-hand corner of this card.
- You should get used to your place in line – get to know who is in front of you and who is behind you.
- You will keep that card and should be prepared to hand that card to the name reader as you approach the ramp of the stage.
Please Remember
- Do not change places after the processional begins.
- Be in line when the processional begins (when the line is ready to move). Once the music begins, we cannot allow anyone to join the line.
Seating in Hofheinz
Commencement workers will direct candidates to the appropriate seating area. Fill in each row before beginning a new row. Sit down whenever your row has filled.
Your Walk Across the Stage
- Directly before your degree level is recognized, you will be told to stand and proceed in line to the stage.
- When the person in front of you begins to walk across the stage and after his/her name is called, move to the tape at the middle of the ramp and remain there until your name is called. (Doctoral candidates, note the difference in instructions for the hooding process).
- Once your name is called, walk across the stage to President Khator. Shake hands with President Khator with your right hand and pause for a picture.
- Proceed off the stage, walking around to the back of the stage to have your graduation picture taken. You will be directed by staff to go back onto the floor, walk around to the back of the chairs and back down the center aisle to your seat. Please do not leave the floor before the ceremony is complete.
Special Instructions for Doctoral Candidates
Note - Carrying your doctoral hood: You will keep your doctoral hood with you throughout the processional and ceremony.- Directly before Doctorates are announced, you will be told to stand and proceed, in line, to the stage.
- When the person in front of you begins to walk up the ramp, go to the tape at the middle of the ramp, get ready to move onto the stage.
- Once your name is called, walk with your dissertation chair to center stage.
- Turn your back to your dissertation chair, removing your cap at this time.
- Your dissertation chair will place your hood over your head. Put your cap back on and turn around to face your dissertation chair, shake his/her hand.
- Proceed across the stage to President Khator. Shake hands with President Khator with your right hand and pause for a picture.
- Proceed off the stage, walking around to the back of the stage to have your graduation picture taken. You will be directed by staff to go back onto the floor, walk around to the back of the chairs and back down the center aisle to your seat. Please do not leave the floor before the ceremony is complete.
Recessional
There will be a formal recessional. Wait for Dr. Khator's dismissal and then follow the person in front of you. The ceremony should be finished by approximately 5:00 pm.
