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:
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.
Where is regalia pricing and information located, including tassel color?
Official UNT regalia may be purchased through the Barnes & Noble at UNT bookstore on campus. Orders will be shipped to the Barnes & Noble on campus for pick up prior to commencement ceremonies. Payment is due at that time. Learn about regalia order deadlines and pricing. For answers to other regalia, ring and announcement questions, email SM8085@bncollege.com.
What if a graduate can't afford to purchase or rent a cap and gown?
A limited number of graduation caps and gowns are available for rental at no charge through the Mean Green Gowns for Grads program. We do not want the price of a cap and gown to prevent students from celebrating their huge academic accomplishment.
For answers to other regalia, ring and announcement questions, email SM8085@bncollege.com.
Why don’t graduates receive their diploma at commencement? When will they receive their diploma?
Diplomas are printed and mailed to official UNT mailing addresses within eight weeks of commencement following the receipt of final grades and after verification that the candidate has met all requirements for graduation. It is the responsibility of the graduate to ensure UNT has the correct mailing address on file after graduation. Graduates were asked for their diploma address on the graduation application and should verify and/or update their mailing address by logging into my.unt.edu with their EUID and password. Learn more about diplomas.
Will guests or graduates receive programs at their ceremony?
Printed programs are not distributed at commencement ceremonies, but a digital version of the program is available online within a few days of the ceremonies. Programs are available for pick up at the Alumni Center in the days leading up to and immediately following commencement weekend.
What does it mean to graduate with honors?
Undergraduate students whose overall grade point average (found on the degree audit), based on both grades earned in UNT courses and transferred courses, is at least 3.500 or better can graduate with honors, also called Latin honors. These are the distinctions of cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude. Learn more about graduating with honors.