Tickets

2020 Commencement Ticket Information

To ensure adequate seating all ceremonies will be ticketed. All guests attending must have a ticket for entry. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Children 2 and under do not need a ticket but will need to remain on a parent's lap for the duration of the ceremony.

The actual number of guest tickets available to each candidate will depend upon the number of candidates attending each ceremony. Please visit your ceremony webpage for information specific to your ceremony.

UCR Commencement tickets are the property of the University and are issued to participating graduates at no charge. The sale, purchase, or duplication of Commencement tickets is strictly prohibited. 

Ordering Tickets

If you file your graduation application on time (see your checklist for deadlines) and are approved by your College/School or the Graduate Division to participate at Commencement, you may register for Commencement online via the Intent to Participate form. A link to the Intent to Participate form and login instructions will be emailed to eligible students starting Thursday, April 16, 2020. 

Starting May 13, 2020, please log back into Marching Order to order your guest tickets. Please note that the maximum number of tickets available vary by ceremony and ticket ordering is not on a first-come, first-served basis. Each student is guaranteed the maximum number of tickets for their specific ceremony.

Once you submit your ticket order, you will be given the option to either print or electronically distribute your tickets via email. Each ticket will have a unique barcode and may only be scanned once for admittance. Duplicate tickets will be denied entrance. 

Commencement Ticket Distribution

When you order your UCR Commencement tickets, you will be given the option to either print or electronically distribute your tickets via email. Each ticket will have a unique barcode and may only be scanned once for admittance. Duplicate tickets will be denied entrance. 

Additional Tickets

Information regarding the availability of additional tickets will be announced via e-mail on Tuesday, June 2, 2020.

Information for Guests

Directions and Parking

Directions

UC Riverside is located near the convergence of the 91-60-215 freeways in the city of Riverside. 

Parking 

Student Recreation Center Ceremonies (May 29 - May 30, 2020): General parking is available for the SRC ceremonies in Lot 26. Parking for Commencement ceremonies is complimentary, and parking permits are not required.  For guests with a disabled plate or placard, and guests who require mobility assistance, Lot 24 has been designated for special needs parking. Shuttle service will be provided from Lot 24 to the Student Recreation Center. Please note, shuttle service is limited to the disabled/mobility impaired and one family member. 

Pierce Lawn Ceremonies (June 12 - June 15, 2020): During Commencement weekend, UCR Transportation Services will provide staffing in appropriate parking lots for each ceremony. General parking is available in Lot 30, where you can park in any unmarked, unreserved space. Parking for Commencement ceremonies is complimentary, and parking permits are not required. For guests with a disabled plate or placard, and guests who require mobility assistance, Lot 6 has been designated for special needs parking. Shuttle service will be provided from Lot 6 to the east side entrance of the Commencement venue. Please note, shuttle service is limited to the disabled/mobility impaired and one family member. 

For more information about parking, shuttle services and maps, please refer to the Commencement Parking site here.

Seating and Protocol

Tickets and Seating

Tickets are required for entrance to all UCR Commencement ceremonies. Please see the Tickets page for more information. Seating for all ceremonies is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Indoor Simulcast & Live Webcast 

Guests who are sensitive to heat and sun may view the ceremony in University Lecture Hall or Watkins 1000 for the Pierce Lawn ceremonies. These lecture halls have climate-control and will show a live video-feed of the ceremony on a large screen. No tickets are required for entrance into these locations. 

In addition, each of UCR's Commencement ceremonies will be webcast live. Links to each ceremony's webcast will be provided on the Commencement home page.

Provisions for Guests with Disabilities

• Student Recreation Center Ceremonies (May 29 - May 30, 2020): For guests with a disabled plate or placard, and guests who require mobility assistance, Lot 24 has been designated for special needs parking. Shuttles will be available to transport these guests to and from the Commencement venue. Please note, shuttle service is limited to the disabled/mobility impaired and one family member. For more information about parking, shuttle services and maps, please refer to the Commencement Parking site here.
• Pierce Lawn Ceremonies (June 12 - June 15, 2020): For guests with a disabled plate or placard, and guests who require mobility assistance, Lot 6 has been designated for special needs parking. Shuttles will be available to transport these guests to and from the Commencement venue. Shuttle service will be provided from Lot 6 to the east side entrance of the Commencement venue. Please note, shuttle service is limited to the disabled/mobility impaired and one family member. For more information about parking, shuttle services and maps, please refer to the Commencement Parking site here.
• The university does not provide wheelchairs. If you or a family member attending needs the assistance of a wheelchair, we urge you to use your own or rent one to bring to campus for the day.
• An American Sign Language interpreter will be present at each ceremony.
• If you are an individual with a disability, or you are inviting a guest who needs special assistance, and have additional questions about Commencement, please email the Commencement office or call (951) 827-3144.

Audience Courtesy

UCR is very proud of the accomplishments of each and every student, so we want the ceremony to be a pleasant experience for everyone. This time-honored ritual includes traditional academic regalia and requires proper decorum. We ask you to respect the rights and feelings of other participants and guests by remaining in your seat until all of the graduates have been recognized and the ceremony has concluded. In consideration of the speakers, the graduates, and so that guests' views of the platform are not obstructed, no air horns, beach balls, balloons, signs of any size or other distracting objects will be allowed into the venue. Pagers and cell phones should be turned off or to silent mode during the ceremony. Please consider the safety of others and do not stand in or block the aisles or walkways of the venue.

Smoking and tobacco use are not permitted on university property.

Overnight Accommodations

Many Riverside area hotels offer special rates to UCR visitors. Please inquire about receiving a UCR rate when you make your reservations. Visit the Riverside Convention Bureau web site for a list of area hotels.

For Your Safety

Although UC Riverside does not anticipate any security problems during Commencement, we will be taking special measures to ensure the safety of everyone who attends Commencement.

The following items are prohibited on campus:

• Tobacco products
• Alcohol
• Illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia
• Weapons of any kind including firearms and knives
• Drones (UAS - Unmanned Aircraft Systems) or other model aircraft
• Animals except for service dogs

Security will be screening at the venue.

These policies are subject to change without notice.

Gifts for your Graduate

Commemorative Commencement Book

A commemorative commencement book, listing the names of all of the graduates, may be purchased for $5.00 at each of the ceremonies. Participating graduates will receive one complimentary copy when they check-in for their ceremony.

The Class of 2020 T-shirt

Commencement T-shirts will be available for purchase before and after each ceremony.

Commencement Flowers

A flower vendor will be on-site at each of the ceremonies offering congratulatory flower bouquets and leis for purchase.

UCR Gear and Memorabilia

The UCR Campus Store will be open for Commencement and offers a wide selection of UCR gear, memorabilia and gift items. Store hours for Commencement weekend will be announced during Winter Quarter.

UCR Dining Hours

The UCR Dining hours for Commencement weekend will be available in Winter Quarter.

Tradition & Symbols

The UCR Pipe Band

The UCR Pipe Band performs on the campus and surrounding community at formal and informal events, including parades, memorials, highland games, athletic events, alumni events, Chancellor's events and Commencement. The band encompasses a diverse group of musicians and performers offering a wide variety of Celtic music played on bagpipes and drums. Visit their website to find out more about the UCR Pipe Band.

The Regalia

In 1895, American Universities adopted a code for uniformity in academic dress. These codes, handed down from European academic ceremonies, represent different degree levels, field of study, and the institution from which the degree was earned. Each color, worn on tassels, hoods, velvet and satin trimmings, represents a specific educational discipline:

• Arts, Letters, Humanities: white
• Commerce, Accountancy, Business: drab
• Economics: copper
• Education: light blue
• Engineering: orange
• Music: pink
• Philosophy: dark blue
• Public Administration: peacock blue
• Medicine: green
• Science: golden yellow
• Theology: scarlet
• Social Work: citron

The Seal of the University of California

The present seal, designed by Tiffany and Company, has been used since 1910. The seal incorporates symbolic icons and phrases that represent the image of the University. Symbols used include:

• The open book, which symbolized the accumulation and dissemination of knowledge.
• The letter "A", representing the beginning of wisdom.
• The five-pointed star above the book represents the discovery and sharing of knowledge.
• The University motto, "Fiat Lux", or "Let There be Light", displayed on a scroll, represents the coming of light and knowledge in to the world.

The Chancellor's Medal

The Chancellor's Medal is worn at ceremonial observances as a part of the chancellor's regalia. At the center is the University of California seal. The back of the medal displays the names of the campus' chancellors and year he or she was inaugurated.

The UC Riverside Mace

The academic mace, first used in the 14^th century, is descended from the club of Hercules. The scepter on the mace stands for lawful power and regal authority, and was carried by Zeus, the Greek God of moral law and order.

Most academic maces take the same general shape. At the top is an ornament placed on a bulbous head; ring-shaped enlargements are found on the shaft; and the base is a round, foliated ornament.

The UC Riverside Mace was first suggested by Ramon J. Rhine, Chair of the Academic Senate, to represent the dignity and history of the campus. Professor Emeritus George Helmkamp designed and constructed the ceremonial mace, with Eugene L. Ethridge of the Chemistry Department contributing metal work.

The UC Riverside mace was hand crafted with inlaid woods, with the head and shaft made out of Hawaiian Koa wood. The light inlaid wood is Yellow Fir from Canada, and the dark inlays are Desert Ironwood  collected by Professor Helmkamp throughout Southern California. The mace has ornaments at the top and the base. The base is in the shape of a citrus fruit, representing UCR's Citrus Experiment Station. The top   ornament is the bear of the State of California. Seals of California and the University are mounted on opposite sides of the mace's head. Below the seals are the mottos of California and the University, respectively,   along with the years 1850 (the year California was admitted in to the Union), and 1868 (the year the University of California was founded).

UC Riverside Alma Mater

Professor of Music Byron Adams joined the UCR faculty in 1987 and was dismayed to discover that the university did not have a school song. To promote school spirit and engender institutional pride, Adams held  an informal competition for the text of the song and selected the verses written by the late Bob Wild, a beloved physics professor. He then set forth to create "Hail Fair UCR".

"I sat down one beautiful winter afternoon and, inspired by the hills surrounding the university, the bell tower and the orange groves, composed Hail Fair UCR," he said. "It is meant to be sung in full - every word   and every note - at Commencement and other solemn, and not so solemn, university events."

Download a PDF of the music and lyrics of the alma mater.

A Look Back

Relive the pageantry and excitement of UCR’s Commencement ceremonies. Watch videos of the keynote and student speakers from each of the ceremonies as well as the remarks from our Chancellor and Deans of the Colleges.

Commencement 2019 Ceremonies

Watch the ceremonies from UCR's 65th Commencement exercises, May 31-June 1 and June 14-17, 2019.

2018

Watch the ceremonies from UCR's 64th Commencement exercises, June 1 and June 15 - 19, 2018.

2017

Watch the ceremonies from UCR's 63rd Commencement exercises, June 9 and June 16–19, 2017.

2016

Watch the ceremonies from UCR's 62nd Commencement exercises, June 10–13, 2016.

2015

Watch the ceremonies from UCR's 61st Commencement exercises, June 12–15, 2015.

2014

Watch the ceremonies from UCR's 60th Commencement exercises, June 13–16, 2014.

2013

Watch the ceremonies from UCR's 59th Commencement exercises, June 14–17, 2013.

2012

Watch the ceremonies and view photos from UCR's 58th Commencement exercises, June 15–18, 2012.

2011

Watch the ceremonies and view photos from UCR's 57th Commencement exercises, June 10–13, 2011.

2010

Watch the ceremonies from UCR's 56th Commencement exercises, June 11-14, 2010