Here you’ll find important information to help you plan ahead and make the most of your commencement day—from arrival and check-in to the celebratory walk across the stage.
On This Page
Before Commencement
Tickets & Applying to Graduate
- All bachelor’s candidates must apply for graduation in order to be able to claim tickets for the commencement ceremony.
- Graduates must be on the list as applied for graduation before Oct. 31 to be able to claim tickets.
- Students who miss the deadline will be able to attend the ceremony, however, they will be unable to obtain tickets in the first round of ticketing for their guests.
Order Your Regalia
- Order your regalia
- Fall Deadlines: Sept. 2 and before Nov. 21
- Information about your regalia (cap and gown)
- Regalia rental information
Commencement Day
Arrival & Seating
- Report to the bachelor’s check-in area at the south end, lower level, of the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, 400 W. Kilbourn Ave., starting at 8:30 a.m. (Fourth St., between State and Kilbourn).
- When you arrive at the bachelor’s check-in area, make sure you complete a name card/photo card and pick up a printed program.
- The marshals will inform you where your school/college is seated. Please report to your school/college section to be seated immediately by the marshals.
- Bachelor’s tassels are to be worn on the right side of the cap.
- Photographers will be taking pictures of candidates as they approach the ramp to go on stage, as well as while they receive their diploma cover on stage. The photographers will be distributing a contact photo card to students at the arena. Please be sure to complete a contact photo card; it will be used to contact you once your proofs are ready to view and purchase.
- No alcoholic beverages or helium balloons are permitted in the arena.
Conferring of Degrees
- Listen for directions from your respective deans for instructions on when to rise and be seated.
- Bachelor’s candidates will get directions for rising after their degrees are conferred. They will move by complete rows to the side aisles and walk in single file to the stage. Candidates will give their name card to the reader at the top of the ramp and proceed to the center of the stage to receive their diploma cover. Candidates will then return to their seats using the center aisle. Please be seated after returning from the stage.
- You are expected to remain for the entire ceremony out of courtesy for all graduates.
Recessional
The platform party will lead the recessional, followed by the faculty and graduates. Marshals will lead students from their seats to exit the arena.
Congratulations on Completing Your Degree!
Contact
Marissa Steinhofer
Commencement Manager
steinho2@uwm.edu
Security Details
Traffic, Parking & Security Screening
Please allow extra time for traffic, parking and the security screening process.
Event Disruption
Disruption of university events, including graduation activities, violates state law and university policies. Disruptions will not be tolerated. Participants who engage in disruption risk arrest, and/or criminal charges and student disciplinary action. Graduates are asked to pass through security with their graduation gowns unzipped and open as part of the Wisconsin Center District security screening process.
Bag Policy at UWM Panther Arena
Graduates and guests attending public ticketed events are permitted to bring a 12-inch-by-6-inch-by-12-inch or smaller clear stadium bag, gallon-sized clear zip bag, a 4-inch-by-6-inch-by-1-inch wristlet, or a diaper bag or medical bag, which will be searched. This will be strictly enforced.
Prohibited Items at Panther Arena
A list of prohibited items can be found in the A-Z guide of the Panther Arena website. Guests will be asked to return prohibited items to their vehicles. Prohibited items include larger banners or flag signs, poles and tripods, laser pointers, outside food or drink, and professional photo and video recording equipment.