Do graduation candidates have to RSVP to attend commencement?
For Spring commencement, detailed instructions, including the RSVP link and deadline, are emailed in late March to the official UNT email accounts for all
students approved for summer and fall graduation. RSVPs for Spring Commencement must
be completed by the deadline, usually in mid April. After completing the RSVP process,
graduates will receive an email confirming their RSVP has been received.
After completing the RSVP process, graduates will receive an email confirming their
RSVP.
What do I do if I didn't RSVP before the deadline?
Graduation candidates who missed the RSVP deadline should contact your academic college
advisor for guidance.
What elements are included in commencement ceremonies?
UNT's Undergraduate College Commencement Ceremonies are hosted by college deans and honor graduates with pomp and circumstance. The ceremonies
include traditional graduation moments – wearing regalia, degree conferral, the calling
of graduate names, and crossing the stage.
The Doctoral and Master's Commencement is hosted by Toulouse Graduate School and recognizes the accomplishments of students
who completed post-graduate studies. Doctoral and M.F.A. candidates (recipients of
terminal degrees) are hooded during this ceremony by their faculty mentor(s).
Does commencement include virtual ceremonies?
UNT will also host a virtual commencement experience for students who earned their
degree remotely via online learning options or who cannot participate in their college’s
in-person ceremony. When graduation candidates RSVP, they will need to choose between
the in-person and virtual commencement experience and indicate which kind of event
they will participate in.
A link to the virtual experience will be added to the Schedule page early on Friday, May 12 so you and your loved ones can participate in that experience
as soon as the link is made available. The virtual commencement experience is not part of your college's in-person ceremony.
Students who have chosen to participate in this option – and their friends and family
members – may watch at their convenience. This experience will include a customized
slide with name, degree and Latin Honors (if applicable) for each graduate who submits
an RSVP, their name read aloud, and addresses from:
- Neal Smatresk, UNT President
- Michael McPherson, provost and vice president for academic affairs
- Adam Fein, vice president for digital strategy and innovation and chief information
officer
- Brandon Buzbee, vice president for advancement
Can my family watch me paraticipate in my in-person ceremony if they're not able to
attend?
Live, in-person commencement ceremonies are held with a livestream available on the
commencement website that is archived for playback the week after commencement.
I couldn't/didn't want to participate in previous ceremonies or my guests and/or I
couldn't attend my ceremony as assigned. May I return in the future to participate
and cross the stage?
Graduation candidates may contact your academic college to see if they are able to
accommodate your request.
Does UNT host summer commencement ceremonies for students who graduate in the summer?
UNT does not host commencement ceremonies during the summer. Students who fulfill
graduation requirements and are approved to graduate during the summer can either
participate in the previous spring commencement ceremonies (if they apply to participate
and are approved to do so) or they can participate in the next fall commencement ceremonies.
Is the event ticketed? How many guests may graduates invite?
Tickets are not required commencement ceremonies. Seating for guests is available
on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open one hour prior to ceremony start.
The ceremonies will be streamed live from commencement.unt.edu for those unable to
attend in person.
What can guests and graduates bring to the ceremony?
The Coliseum enforces a clear bag policy for all commencement events. Only clear bags up to 12” x 12” as well as small bags,
roughly the size of an adult human hand, are allowed into the venue. Balloons and
noisemakers are not be allowed into the Coliseum.
Metal detectors will be positioned at Coliseum entrances used by graduates, guests
and platform party members. Anyone entering the Coliseum for commencement must pass
through a metal detector before proceeding to the seating or staging areas.
Where do guests and graduates park?
Graduates should park in the west side of Lot 20 to allow family and guests to park
on the north and east sides of the lot. Graduates can easily access the west side
of Lot 20 by entering the lot from the service road. Guests should enter campus via
North Texas Boulevard off of I-35E and park in Lot 20, which is on the west side of
the Coliseum. Be prepared to walk a distance as there is limited parking immediately adjacent to
the venues. It may take up to 10 minutes to walk from some parking locations. Shuttle
service will not be provided. Guests with mobility issues may want to consider not
attending in person and watching the livestream of the ceremony instead. Special
Needs parking will be in Lot 27 off of Highland Street. Follow the signs to be directed
to the first available parking space. See the directions and parking page for more details.